GamJams.net: Where Mid-Atlantic bike racers roll: Richmond Pro Cycling presents its 2010 Corps

By Peter Henry

On Saturday, April 10th, the ‘River City’s’ most revolutionary non-profit organization, Richmond Pro Cycling, presented its 2010 corps. Richmond Pro Cycling--a civic leadership corps that develops elite-level cyclists into community ambassadors, mentors, and role models--presented their four corps members to a crowd of over 100 Richmond supporters … including Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

RPC's 2010 Corps (left to right): Jeff Buckles, Mike Stoop, Matt Spohn, Cory Scott.

Attendees were treated to a fully catered event, with opportunities to meet the 2010 members, meet other RPC supporters, and get a glimpse at RPC’s fleet of custom painted youth bikes to be used for the new partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond. Eight inner-city youth have been hand picked from Richmond-area Boys and Girls Club locations, in which RPC members work with the youth three days a week towards academic tutoring, followed up with cycling sessions with RPC. Also in attendance were representatives of Offender Aid and Restoration, a Richmond nonprofit where RPC corps members work to help, mentor, and teach ex-offenders.

RPC's fleet of custom-painted bikes for its inner city youth partners.

RPC founder and Director of Development Craig Dodson presented the 2010 corps members, as well as RPC’s primary benefactor Justin French (French Consulting Company) and Mayor Jones. In his speech, Mayor Jones embraced the community-first ethos of Richmond Pro Cycling. "Working with youth is what's close to my heart,” Jones said as he addressed the crowd, “and so a program like [RPC] appeals to my interests."

Left to Right: Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Craig Dodson, Justin French

The event was anchored to an opportunity for RPC supporters to catch a sneak peek of the soon-to-be-opened Richmond Pro Cycling Development Center. The ‘Devo Center’ is a 3300sq ft building that will serve as a multi-use facility for cycling-related activities and youth outreach, as well as operational headquarters for Richmond Pro Cycling. The historic building (complete with exposed brick and natural lighting) has been exhaustively renovated and graciously provided by French Consulting Company- an iconic and innovative Richmond-based development company.

For more about Richmond Pro Cycling visit the team's website at www.richmondprocycling.com.