“The Step Up Cycling program has a great group of local sponsors including the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Roseburg Boosters, Fundamental Bike, and the Bicycle Shop – but the Umpqua Velo Club really started it all,” says Ted Wilton from the Step Up Program.  Mr. Wilton is excited to receive additional contributions from the Velo Club and is grateful that with the initial support from Club members Paul Tamm, Shelley Briggs and Mitch LaMoure, seven years ago the cycling program began as a Velo Club outreach to get kids into cycling to now serves some 50 At-Risk students.

As in past years, the Umpqua Velo Club raised donations in connection with the running of a local bike ride event, the Tour de Fronds.  The Tour is a scenic ride between the communities of Powers and Glendale, over 70 miles and takes in scenic beauty of the Siskiyou National Forest and BLM lands bordering the Rogue River Wilderness Area.  In 2007 the 10th anniversary year attracted over a hundred riders and dozens of sponsors. 

“2007 was one of the best years for participants and the best fundraising event for the Tour de Fronds”, says Paul Tamm of Oakland, past Velo Club president.  “In 2007 we added sponsorships from Mercy Foundation and Umpqua Bank specifically because the event helped at riskyouth.  We are pleased to be able to continue our contribution to the kids of the Step Up Program”.

This year the Step Up Program will hold tryouts for 17 students to field the 17 bikes used in their program.  They will continue their early spring training in preparation for various local rides including a Reedsport to Eureka ride and the 2008 Tour de Fronds.