Fire Velo is a fire service-based cycling club, whose mission is to help others. The main focus of this Southern California club is to provide cancer awareness within the fire service. We also provide firefighter wellness, and promote fund raising for other organizations. Fire Velo is open to all levels of riders from beginners to veterans, weekend riders to racers, roadies to mountain bikers.
The question arises, where are the LAFD cyclists? There are only two LAFD members who belong to Fire Velo: Dave Castenada and Marv Williams. You LAFD cyclists are missing out on a lot of fun and comradery. The cost is only $100 to join Fire Velo, and this includes a jersey. That’s it, no dues or other costs. You chose the rides or events you wish to participate in. So, let the fun begin.
Last year four members of the club from San Bernardino County Fire Department represented us in the RAAM (Race Across America). They finished the non-stop event in seven days, nineteen hours, and fourteen minutes, a respectable time for a first attempt. The money raised for this event went directly to firefighters who were battling cancer. Another of our main rides is “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride,” a ride around beautiful Lake Tahoe. We also do a two-day ride to San Diego that begins at the LA County Fire Headquarters and finishes in downtown San Diego. We participate in two rides in the Palm Springs area: The Tour de Palm Springs usually takes place in January and the Patriot Ride in the fall.
We also attend rides where we are asked to assist with other clubs or individuals. For instance, a few of our riders participated in a cancer fund raiser that began in Santa Monica and ended in Las Vegas. It was a blast finishing the ride on the famous Las Vegas Strip. We also helped our fellow firefighters from the State of Washington. They were raising money for the Gary Sinise Foundation and requested our assistance. They started the ride in Seattle and finished at the LAFD Museum in Hollywood. Some of our members participated in parts of the ride.
Our main event for the year is the San Francisco to Los Angeles ride. This is a week-long ride where participants have to raise a minimum of $1500 to partake in all of the fun. Each rider receives two jerseys, various other articles of clothing, all the hotel stays, some meals, and all the SAG support they need. It’s a beautiful ride, mostly down the coast, in the third week in August. The ride concludes on the Santa Monica Pier among the cheering family members and friends of the riders. The money raised will go to the charities we choose to support. I forgot to mention that there is plenty of beer to rehydrate with.
So what do you say LAFD Cyclists? Come get some exercise and have fun doing it. Check out our website at www.firevelo.com. Remember, you don’t have to be a great rider, all levels can participate. Just like the fire service, no one is left behind.