The Bonebell first endeavored in rallying around mountain biking over a year ago. It was just a blog with three guys that wanted to show how much fun mountain biking really is. People started reading regularly, and recognition over the blog grew into something bigger than originally imagined. The Bonebell Crew then refocused energies on trying to bring the community of dirtbaggers together while supporting key organizations that made it possible for all of us to do so.

World Bicycle Relief was a natural starting point – not necessarily because every team and local cycling related organization were already on that bandwagon – but primarily because World Bicycle Relief is represented by some of the most talented mountain bikers we have had the pleasure of riding with, racing against, and sharing great ideas about dirt riding in Chicago.

“There’s just something about the dirt [riding]community that they just want to help as much as they can.” – Chris Strout

Chris Strout recently interviewed David Norton and Paolo Urizar about Endurance Mountain Biking news. It was squarely appropriate that we had an interview already sized up for him to fill you in on how his knobby tire expeditions came to fruition at what most consider the ‘mecca’ of mountain biking component glory, SRAM. Before there was Force or Red, and all the new fangled roadie “grouppos” – there was a product line that innovated the sport of mountain biking to new extremes. From that same company, a non-for-profit organization was also born, to further serve the idyllic nature of the mountain biking spirit. Explore, innovate, and make something better.

Why are you working for World Bicycle Relief?
I believe in what we do. Our approach to providing simple, sustainable mobility in a comprehensive program that includes distribution, mechanics training and improved bicycle design is one of the most effective answers to poverty and disease I’ve ever seen. What initially attracted me was the connection to helping HIV/AIDS workers – my family has been affected by the AIDS epidemic, and the chance to give back was something I couldn’t pass up.
Every day I’m amazed at the power of the work we do. The stories coming back from the field are pretty incredible – it’s not an understatement to say that every single bike changes someone’s life. And not just theirs – their family’s, their community’s. It’s unreal.

I’m working in the bike industry and saving people’s lives. What’s not to love?

How and why did World Bicycle Relief decide to represent an Endurance MTB squad?
We fall into the “grassroots” program – people around the world using their talents to promote World Bicycle Relief’s vision of The Power of Bicycles. So it’s not a “sponsorship” from World Bicycle Relief in that we don’t receive support and we purchase all of our clothing, etc. But karma and good vibes go around, and this year Siren Bicycles signed on to support the team – all three of our pro riders and both of the amateurs are tied to World Bicycle Relief as volunteers and supporters, and Siren saw that and wanted to get behind it. We’re lucky that we’ve got some of the fastest endurance bikes in the world as our platform!

What’s cool is that we’re immediately a part of this world of “grassroots” support – from the church holding a bake sale to the Kelly Benefit Strategies pro road team, we all share a common vision of how important a bicycle can be for underdeveloped regions of the world. It’s not just about raising money, raising awareness is a goal as well, and the endurance mountain bike scene has responded. Dirtbags “get it” and have really gotten behind our efforts with fundraisers and support across the country. There’s just something about the dirt community that they just want to help as much as they can.

Let me tell you, when I line up at an National Ultra Endurance 100-miler in my World Bicycle Relief-Siren jersey and Jeremiah Bishop moves over so I can have a spot on the front row, because he knows about World Bicycle Relief and respects what we do, it’s a pretty amazing feeling.

How do you motivate yourself for the World Bicycle Relief cause and racing nationally in 24 Hour Races?
I believe in the cause. I believe in what we’re doing. I’ve seen first-hand the impact that a bicycle can have on someone’s life, and the enormous joy a recipient experiences when they receive one. In addition to my staff position, I take every opportunity to volunteer at events and help spread the word – I see my racing as an extension of that.

It’s immensely gratifying to be able to represent World Bicycle Relief in the sporting arena. I’ll be honest: my motivation for racing is kind of selfish. It started when I was 7 years old, doing a report for my 2nd-grade class about Belgium. I learned about Eddy Merckx, and the Tour de France. At that time, it was on Wide World of Sports, the only cycling event we could see here in the States. I fell in love, and from that day forward the only thing I ever wanted to be in life was a pro bike racer.

So to be able to represent, and still fulfill my personal dream – what could be more motivating than that?

What is the greatest challenge that the World Bicycle Relief faces?
The need for bicycles in underdeveloped regions of the world. [The need] is so huge, and the 55,000 bicycles we’ve provided to date are a drop in the bucket. We need programs, governments, and organizations to recognize that mobility – that specifically bicycles – are a critical component to development work. Poverty and disease go hand-in-hand. So when you’re designing a home-based disease prevention model, you need bikes to help those care-givers do their work, and by extension, that bike can help them with livelihood activities. Or you put a bike into the hands of a student, help them go to school, to learn – and by extension, the family prospers because they can also use the bike for their well-being. It’s all interconnected, but we face an uphill battle because too many development folks hear “mobility” and think of roads and trucks. Most of our recipients won’t see motorized transport in their family for at least two generations to come, or more.

Are there ambitions to spread the World Bicycle Relief effort to other parts of the world?
Absolutely! We began with disaster relief in Sri Lanka following the Tsunami, and then established our African base in Zambia. Our African efforts continue to expand, and at the same time we’ve had exploratory talks or visits in Central and South America, in the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia is another possibility. What it will take, is finding programs that “get it,” that understand the need for bicycles as mobility on the front lines of poverty-stricken areas, and to work with them to implement programs.

We will find the most appropriate bike for the region – the bikes in Africa are not the bikes we’d likely use in Central America, for instance. They’re too heavy, and only have one gear. [World Bicycle Relief is] born from the bike industry – founded by SRAM and Trek five years ago – so we know bikes, and can source the most appropriate technology for the need.

How can local cycling clubs and bike racing teams help out?
Get involved! Visit our web site, and learn more about our Grassroots efforts. www.worldbicyclerelief.org/grassroots — Katie Bolling heads up our efforts, tell her “The Bonebell” sent you.

As an insider at SRAM – what impresses you the most about the Chicago based company?
You know, we were just talking about that. World Bicycle Relief was founded by one of the guys who founded SRAM 22 years ago, and we share office space at SRAM world headquarters here in Chicago. We are a separate non-profit, 501(c)(3) entity, so all contributions are tax deductible, and SRAM helps us out with marketing and other support from employees around the world.

What is most impressive to me is the openness of the organization. Especially this year, with the economic meltdown happening around us, there was a spirit of disclosure from management that helped us weather the storm. We get to experience it too, by extension – we are part of the SRAM family for sure. It’s pretty incredible.

There’s a genuine support of World Bicycle Relief from the entire company, from each employee around the world. It’s pretty awesome to see an initiative like ours inspire SRAM folks to reach out into their communities and find creative ways to support our mission.

“I like to race because it takes me to trails I wouldn’t otherwise visit…” – Chris Strout

If it’s not SRAM/World Bicycle Relief that keeps you in Chicago – what does?
Can I plead the Fifth?! Honestly, my wife and I were ready to move before I joined World Bicycle Relief. Chicago has a lot going for it, but having traveled extensively all of my life, I have to admit a bias toward hills and mountains. We have family here, and the riding community is pretty incredible, so that helps. That, and it’s halfway between Moab and Pisgah.

What advice do you have for folks wanting to know how to get into endurance mountain biking in such a mountain free zone?
What is it Merckx said? “Ride lots!” Seriously – Chicago is good for training, if you’re willing to put in the time and aren’t too afraid of tempo intervals. Find all the dirt you can, but don’t let the lack of it scare you – you can’t defeat yourself in the head before you even get on dirt. Train like you would for cross-country, and figure out the nutrition – long-distance stuff is all about calorie management.

Beyond that, get yourself to trails as much as you can afford. I like to race because it takes me to trails I wouldn’t otherwise visit – the WEMS series in Wisconsin is great for that. As many laps as you can do in 3, 6 or 12 hours – no pressure, no one looking at your results. Low-key, and super-fun.

Biggest thing? Don’t be afraid to take chances. Not risks – don’t be stupid – but look at my teammate Brad Majors: he took 2nd this season in the 24-Hour Solo National Points Series, he was 3rd at Big Bear and 4th at Wausau and most recently finished strong at Moab. I mean, Big Bear, Wausau and Moab are three completely different courses! Wet rocks and roots, flowing super-buff singletrack, and crazy desert sandy two-track – and this guy trains almost exclusively on the Lakefront Path. He’s built up to it, using Chicago for what it’s good for, building fitness, and then having fun up at Kettle, or out on WEMS race courses.

The point is, it can be done. Believe in your ability to ride, work up to the challenges, and let it rip – training for endurance is so much fun!

We’ve heard that a decent rider from Santa Cruz, CA is moving to Chicago – his name is Barry Wicks – any chance we can talk him into riding at Palos on New Years Day?
Ha ha! I think as long as you go out the day before and cut down all the widowmakers, he’d be game – remember, he’s like 6-foot-9 or something!

The Bonebell concludes that if top 10 national finishing ultra endurance dirtbaggin’ athletes can thrive in Chicago – there is hope for everyone, especially when they represent a cause that is even more worthy of that recognition. Notable friends that have gone above and beyond to help World Bicycle Relief are Carrie Kerr from PAMBA, Don Edberg from WORS, and pro riders Jeremiah Bishop and Rebecca Rusch.

Please look to The Bonebell next quarter as online store plans come to fruition to sell products that will help us help you support World Bicycle Relief.