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JBSA News
NEWS | May 23, 2014

412th Contracting Support Brigade supports local bicycle rodeo

By Maj. Eric Shepherd 412th Contracting Support Brigade

Eight members of the 412th Contracting Support Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston spent May 2 assisting Lamar Elementary School students during the school's bicycle rodeo.

As part of the brigade's community outreach program, volunteers helped students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade perform their riding skills by maneuvering their bikes through a challenge course, while their peers and parents cheered them on.

The course tested the students' riding skills in the areas of balancing, steering, performing a figure eight and maneuvering.

Lt. Col. Sylvia Farmer, 412th CSB executive officer, leads the outreach program for the brigade. She said it is a way for government employees to give back to their communities and expose the public to possible careers within the government.

From tiny bikes with training wheels to 10-speed racers and mountain bikes, the children descended upon the course and were able to show off their bikes to their friends.

After the event, a winner from each age group was identified to participate in an annual city-wide competition.

"Bicycle education is important at this young age. We educated the kids on how to perform preventative maintenance and safety checks on their bikes. We then inspected the bikes before the rodeo," said Cassandra Mora, 412th CSB acquisition management office. "A bicycle is usually a kid's first form of transportation. It's great the San Antonio Police Department is taking a proactive role in keeping kids safe on the streets."

Maj. Manuel Prado, 412th CSB Acquisition Management Office, brought his bicycle tools and air pump to the rodeo to help the children correct any safety deficiencies. He also inspected the children's helmets to ensure they were worn properly.

"Bike maintenance is critical to both safety and performance," Prado said. "I wanted to make sure students had a positive experience. Inspecting their bikes for deficiencies was essential for both safety and performance."

Staff Sgt. Ryan Johnson, a 412th CSB contracting specialist, volunteered to judge the balance obstacle on the course.

"I had a great time at the bike rodeo," Johnson said. "Giving back to the community is an important part of service to our nation as a Soldier."