S.S.B. Ride Across Belize Completes Second Leg
The Annual S.S.B. Ride Across Belize got underway on Wednesday as cyclists made their way from Corozal to Belize City to complete the first leg. It’s not just a race – it’s an initiative which raises funds for needy causes across the country – the brainchild and work of the staff at the Social Security Board. Today, the group made its way west to Santa Elena, Cayo. We weren’t able to catch them there, but we did speak to them on Wednesday as they arrived in front of the S.S.B. office on Princess Margaret Drive – riders from all walks of life doing something important for a good cause.
Derek Chavarria, Youngest Rider
“I chose to participate because it’s good for the training and I like riding in groups together as one.”
Derek Chavarria
Mike Rudon
“You think it is also important because it is for a good cause?”
Derek Chavarria
“Yes and like how they have the ride for cancer too.”
Jose Coye, Rider
“My favorite hobby is a win-win hobby meaning that I ride most of the philanthropic races where it is to benefit the needy as in this one. And then I get the fitness for it and of course I get the enjoyment of being with my friends out there – we talking while riding.”
Karen Rosito
Karen Rosito, Service Personnel
“It’s all for the cause. I will be the first to agree I am not in shape, but I decided to take the day off and go service because they need to be hydrated. They are riding for a cause and we did not only service our Digicell team, but we serviced everybody across the board. Johnnycakes, sandwiches, powder buns and happy cow cheese.”
Denys Barrow
Denys Barrow, Rider
“The Social Security Board needs to be congratulated for doing this every year. I know that it is becoming tiresome for them; I get the vibes, but we implore them to continue to do it because as they know, and I think as they should, it should be emphasized to them that the community appreciates what they are doing. So keep it up S.S.B.”
Chandra Nisbet Cansino, Organizer, S.S.B. Ride Across Belize
“It’s always a good feeling to be among fellow cyclists, but it is better because I know that we are riding for a good cause. It’s promoting healthy living for the people that train to do this ride. So it’s generally a very good feeling Mike.”
Chandra Nisbet Cansino
Mike Rudon
“Do you feel that it’s been getting the feedback, the response that it deserves?”
Chandra Nisbet Cansino
“Umm, some years are better than others. The ride is growing, it’s getting bigger every year; we have people that come from the U.S. to do the ride now. That’s a challenge for us because the planning and logistics of the ride is a lot to deal with. So it’s becoming a challenge. We are looking at different ways. This year I am happy to say that Caribbean Tire came on board last minute to assist us with servicing. They gave us a service vehicle and so did OCEANA to help us with the no littering campaign as we came along the highway. So I believe that that will be the key to improving and making the ride bigger and better; it would be with partnering with our corporate brothers and sisters.”
This year funds generated from the Ride Across Belize will be used to assist feeding programs in every district.
