USC’s 1st Summer Biking Summit: Bike for Life
The University of San Carlos’ College of Engineering – Community Extension Services (USC COE – CES), in their pursuit of sustained involvement of its faculty and students, has conjured an event that is quite unique in itself: A summer biking summit called the USC Bike for Life! It was held in the morning of May 11, 2013, Saturday at the Technological Campus (TC) Basketball Courts of USC.
This biking summit was engineered to advocate for human life by introducing biking and the health and fitness benefits that it brings. It was also designed to promote awareness of the environmental issues arising and solutions for what we can do to help hold a cleaner and safer environment for Cebu.
The summit was to build bridges and connections to the different bike clubs and groups and to encourage people for the love of it. The event conducted useful skills training and tips and how to maintain and repair one’s bikes. This summit not only touches the lives of its participants but also to the fire victims and street children all over Cebu as participants were highly encouraged to bring donations. This event held a great cause in line with USC COE – CES’ aim of having their faculty and students be able to give their assistance to the less endowed for the betterment of the society.
Though this was a first for USC and certainly the first of its kind in Cebu, it was able to attract many of the fervent bicycle/cycling clubs and organizations in the city as it was open for all bikers. Among those who were present were the Cebu Vintage Bicycle Club, Cebu Fixed Gear, Licomba and The Carolinian Bikers Club. Interested bikerswere to register online for free or on the spot at the Engineering Canteen on the day of the event. Registration started at 6:00 AM and those who were present provided their own bike, helmet, and/or other personal protective equipment. There were around 50 participants.
Shortly before the biking officially commenced, participants were briefed on the route to be covered. The route was an approximate of 1.8 km of USC – TC. Beginning from the Basketball Court passing by the USC Portal, SHCP Bldg, LRC, MR Bldg, CAFA Bldg, short cut to CAS Bldg, down by the Science Bldg and finally back to point of origin. Bikers were encouraged to complete as many rounds desired while enjoying a great biking experience through the lush greenery that the USC-TC Campus has been endowed with.
If the free registration caught these biker’s attention, what more with free breakfast as well? There were an abundance of food and drinks to go around for the participants and volunteers on the site which was made possible by anonymous donations. And during the short break, we were able to talk to the participants about the event and their different bike clubs. This event was found to be very beneficial to the participants since it was a gathering of people with the same sport interests. Many bikers were very eager and satisfied with the event that they couldn’t wait for the next bike summit. Hopefully, there will be more of this in Cebu to strengthen the many bike and health enthusiasts out there.
