CH Bike Club History

The
Common Hope Bike Club

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The Club History:

Common Hope's history includes a rich tradition of biking. Many long term vlounteers and Guatmemalan staff members have used bikes for more than mere transportation. For them, biking was a passion. Tales of the biking adventures of Charlie, Chicho, Levi, Scott and Dr. Paul approach legendary status in the Common Hope family. But the idea of forming a club actually started as a joke that now holds a dream.

The Joke turns into an Idea

While in Antigua from October 2004 through May 2006, long term volunteer Tim Turnquist logged about 3,500 miles on the streets, roads, highways and paths around the city on his road bike. As those who have been to Antigua know, such biking is no small feat with the cobblestone streets, unruly traffic and mountainous terrain. But the more he rode, the more he found ride-able roads and -- much to his surprise -- he found people who wanted to ride with him.

By the end of his stay in Antigua, he was riding routinely with long term volunteers Jud and Chris; native staff members Narsiso "Chicho" and Marvin "Manolo"; and even guests of the project. As he prepared to leave Guatemala, Tim decided to present a gift to those he jokingly referred to as "The Common Hope Bike Club". So, he ordered custom printed cycling jerseys for them.

Tim on the highway near Escuintla

Because he needed to fill a minimum order he inquired among other Common Hope supporters whom he knew to be bikers and received an enthusiastic response.

The Idea is transformed into a Dream

With that response, Tim thought, "Why shouldn't there be a club and jersey for all Common Hope supporters who do various charity rides, RAGBRAI and Ride the Rockies? It would be a sharp looking way to publicize the organization on the streets of their hometown during training and to be seen by hundreds or even thousands of participants and spectators during an event. It would be especially effective in if worn by groups of bikers."

Chris climbs past the bluffs near Escuintla

Tim envisioned groups of Common Hope Bike Club jersey clad riders doing training rides together in his home of Minnesota, meeting at coffee shops, doing Wisport races or other events together. "Heck," he thought, "we could also have chapters in Chicago, Colorado, the Bay Area or wherever we have Common Hope supporters. And, while we are at it, why don't we get people from each of those groups together each spring to come to Antigua to do a week to ten days of riding before the roads are ready in the States?" Suddenly, Tim envisioned ten or so riders -- some Guatemalan, some from the U.S, Canada or even Europe -- riding the "flats" of new highway west of town, cruising the easy slopes into San Miguel Due�as, doing intervals up and down the hill going into San Antonio Aguas Calientes and even hammering up the 20% grades to Santa Maria de Jes�s or San Mateo,

"Wouldn't it be cool to do training rides half of the day and work at Common Hope or meet sponsored children or families the other half" Tim thought. So that is the club; the joke, the idea and the dream.
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We would love to hear from you if you have any interest in joining the club, starting a chapter in your area, purchasing a jersey or the donig a spring trip to Antigua.

And the club, jersey and possibility of a trip is not limited to those who love the skinny tires. Antigua is also LOADED with hundreds of miles of single-track trails for the off-road set.

Chicho "flying" up the road to San Mateo