Spotlight on Fernando Sanchez
Fernando, affectionately known as Fern, has been a member of the Triangle Bikeworks family since his sophomore year in high school. He discovered TBW as a freshman through a presentation in his English class.
He was drawn by the genuine appeal for youth to get involved in adventure cycling. And the idea of biking and camping sounded awesome to him!
His first tour was the 2013 Bikes, Blues & Soul, cycling along the Mississippi River Trail from New Orleans, LA to St. Louis, MO. It was the last of Triangle Bikeworks' epic 30-day tours. Fern draws strength from his experience of cycling 30 days without voluntarily getting into the van. He remembers pushing himself to succeed and bike every mile the whole time. It was incredible for him to feel that he could do something like that.
"It is very eye-opening to be able to go to different parts of the country especially if you don’t have the opportunity to do it (on your own). It’s amazing to see different places that you’re not used to, and experience different cultures around the country. There’s so much diversity "
Fern finds it important to "Do something that you know that it’s only you pushing yourself to finish, instead of having to rely on anybody else. We ride as a team but when you’re cycling, that’s your own mental and physical abilities going at work."
Fern loves riding his bike.
His biggest challenge on that first tour was the proximity to everyone. He knew it was something he needed to work through. Something he needed to get used to. His remedy was being outdoors, cycling, camping, and enjoying nature.
"It taught me a lot about leadership and becoming the person that I am. Not being afraid to venture out into something new… in the end, it’s only you that’s going to push yourself forward."
Since he's graduated, Fern has never left our side. He's been our trusted SAG driver for over four years taking time off from school and work to give back in the best way he knows how. Making sure youth like him have the best experience possible.
"Its amazing to see how close everyone gets by the end of the tour. And it’s the same for every trip. It's so great to see that. I still see it. I still see everyone grow together."
"The experience itself is once in a lifetime and an experience that you want to have."