Introductions: Get to know your CITA Board candidates

As many of you already know(and the rest of you should know) CITA will be holding a board election at the next meeting, Tuesday Feb. 7^th.  Below is a short introduction to the candidates.  Read through them and be better informed for the decision you will make on Tuesday.

Tuesdays meeting will be at the downtown library at 7:00pm.

Kim West

I am Kim West; I have been riding bicycles for nearly 55 years.  I don’t intend to stop any time soon.  In these many years, I have ridden, as most have, for sheer pleasure, to go to school, to work, to socialize, to shop, to get around, to race, to teach my kid and grandkids to love to ride, and lately, to share time with my wife and stoker.  During the brief time I’ve known Sue, I have helped her share my love for riding gravel and trails.  It has given me an excuse to buy more bikes.

 

About 12 years ago, I worked with a small group of bmx enthusiasts to get what is nowEwingParkbmx off the ground.  It is now a major player on theMidwestand National bmx scene.  I continue to do some legal work for them.  I race bmx every now and then, but I hate getting beaten by little kids.

 

I was one of threeDes Moinescyclists who started the Bike Collective, and happily worked long and hard to get it off the ground, helping to get more folks on bikes.  I left when the collective began going in a direction that was inconsistent with how I had envisioned the original collective.  [I STILL thinkDes Moinesneeds and will get a velodrome in the not-too-distant future.]

 

I also hosted the Kim West radio cycling show for two years on kxno radio, until they found out it was about cycling.  During my brief run, this little weekly show covered all areas of cycling, and developed a loyal and international audience.  It was a very useful forum for advocacy, and will return in the future; hopefully during 2012.

 

I’ve been an attorney for nearly–gulp–30 years, and have discovered that I can sometimes be a rather vocal and ardent advocate for topics and areas that get me going, whether it’s silly little stripes on the streets [don't get me started] or banning bikes from a county’s road networks.

I look forward to working with CITA.

 

 

Jubil Young

Few places have the network of off-road trails within city limits likeDes Moinesand I am seeking a position on the CITA board because I want them to stick around and I want them to be used!

 

Establishing our trails multiuse, sustainable, and making them easy to access will further solidify that our trails are here to stay and it will ensure we are able to keep up with the growing number of trail users.  Previously, I was in charge of 100K of multiuse trails (bike/pump track/ski/snowshoe/hike/horse) at Snow Mountain Ranch in the Colorado Rockies where I coordinated a visit from the IMBA trail care crew.  While I was there I organized a team of volunteers to put on 4 ski events including the largest XC race inColorado.

 

Currently, I am pursuing my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at DMU and spend my down time skiing (if we ever get any snow), riding my bike for Rassy’s MTB team and canoeing in the summer.  I love sharing my knowledge of all the outdoor opportunities inCentral Iowaand I am excited to be able to be a part of CITA’s bright future.

 

 

Bif Ridgway

My name is Forrest L. Ridgway III most people know me as Bif. I’ve been working in the bike business since I was 13 years old and been around the industry my whole life. My family has been in business for over 35 years with a local shop called Bike World, one of CITA’s supporters. CITA has done a fabulous job of creating the trails we all enjoy and I believe there is great potential for growth in both trail systems as well as the number of people we can get involved with using the trails. Through business trips and events I’ve been to I’ve seen what destination trails do to not only the people in a community but the local economy. I would love nothing more than to see centralIowabecome a destination that attracts people from all over. I think with my connections in the industry as well as my knowledge I can benefit CITA in making this a reality.

Thanks,

Bif Ridgway

 

Nick Larson

Hello everyone my name is Nick Larson.  Many of you may know me from past meetings, work days or events.  If I don’t know you, feel free to stop and say hello.  My interest in becoming a board member is based around my desire and passion for riding and building trails.  I’ve spent a few years as a CITA member and enjoyed my time helping build and improve the existing trails.  I’m also excited to be building new trail.    I feel I have the capacity to help drive some of the initiatives CITA is currently involved with.  As well as create new opportunities.  I’m excited for growth and involving fresh faces and new ideas without forgetting how far we’ve come and how we got here.  I look forward to working with all of you whether as a board member, committee member or club member.

 

 

 

Sheri Robinson

I am a stay at home mom of two girls, 7 and 3. I love being outside, riding bikes and spending time with my family.

 

I have been aware of the work CITA performs in our community for quite a while and have participated in several of the events. It has only been these last 4 or 5 months where I have actually participated and

become a member.  Realizing the importance of the current trails to my family, I feel the need to participate to help maintain and even grow them further.

 

In the past, I worked at Easter Seals where a portion of my job was volunteer management and assisting with some grant writing. More recently, I have been involved in the promotion and organization of several bike races.  I think these experiences would be beneficial to the CITA board and I would enjoy the opportunity to serve.

 

 

 

Jared Morford

 

Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jared Morford and I’m the sales manager at Skunk River Cycles inAmes,IA.  I started working at the shop two years ago as a bike builder while I was finishing my bachelors in history at ISU. Prior to ISU I proudly served as a Sergeant in the South Dakota National Guard and deployed toIraqin 2008.

 

In my spare time I enjoy road and gravel riding.  To be honest, I don’t mountain bike much.  Steve Fuller posted on facebook that CITA was looking for board members so I felt it was a great opportunity to help cycling in centralIowa.  I feel that it is one thing to say you ride, but what are you doing to make cycling better around you?  I’m currently working with the Ames Community Art Council to hopefully install bike racks in downtownAmes.  I’m also working with Wheatsfield Grocery Store inAmesto have bike tools installed on outside on their bike rack.  This week I coordinated with a bike brand and accessory companies to accessorize a bike for free for the Boone County Park Ranger.  The last thing I’m working on and trying to generate interest in is a Bike to Work Week inAmes.

 

So that’s me. If you are reading this you can probably tell I’m pretty casual and a bad writer. However, despite that I’m motivated and love cycling. I’m looking to challenge myself and help improve centralIowacycling.

1. squirrel says:

   February 3, 2012 at 8:33 pm

   Very good crop of candidates! Gonna b good indeed.
2. kim west says:

   February 3, 2012 at 4:18 pm

   wow. good crop of candidates. cita is gonna win.