WATSONVILLE—A dozen bicyclists on the 13th annual Fire Velo bike ride rolled into Watsonville Monday afternoon for the first night of their week-long journey to Los Angeles.
“We headed out of San Francisco yesterday,” said Julian Villavicengio, an EMT/firefighter with San Francisco Fire Department. “The ride has been great and it’s with a great group of guys. On top of that, it’s for a good cause.”
Fire Velo is a national cycling organization that promotes physical and mental wellness in the fire service and partners in emergency services through cycling and other charity events across the nation. They also fundraise to support fire service efforts of cancer awareness, cancer prevention and overall wellness.
The group is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles Saturday.
“Time and time again, we welcome new faces and old faces and we are happy to be a part of this event and to welcome these riders,” said Watsonville Fire Capt. Almita Schaefer.
Organizer Jim Berklite, a retired Los Angeles firefighter/paramedic, said the ride, along with partner organizations, has thus far raised over $500,000.
“We had to cancel last year because of Covid,” he said. “But we’re back with a somewhat smaller group. There’s also another ride happening now for the first time: From LA to New York for the 20th anniversary of September 11. They left August 1 and they’ll arrive September 9. For us, year after year, Watsonville is the highlight of our journey.”
The riders included firefighters, an LA Sheriff deputy and other such emergency workers.
