Employee Spotlight – Joel Avina

July 2, 2018

Joel Avina Reaches Grand Canyon in a Ride for Cancer

"We're riding to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve, and we believe that any one individual can make their personal impact to fight cancer and save little lives."

Great Cycle Challenge started in 2015, and after just 3 years, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the United States.

People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal throughout June to fight kids’ cancer.

In 3 years, the community of riders from all 50 states have ridden a total of 7,516,295 miles, and together we’ve raised $9,219,511 in support of research to develop better treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

Why? Because over 15,700 American children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and sadly, 38 children die every week.

We’re riding to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve, and we believe that any one individual can make their personal impact to fight cancer and save little lives.

I do these charity rides because I can feel the pain these kids go through, having to fight a horrible disease they didn’t plan on having. It makes me feel like I’m doing something right in a humane type of way, knowing if we can all give a helping hand, especially to kids who never expected this, Why not, even if it’s something small, these kids shouldn’t have to suffer to enjoy life.

I chose this charity, because I felt it would be a fun and great way to achieve my goal in cycling across the country, like in the documentary that inspired me to see the world in a whole new perspective, at the same time doing something good for kids. I chose the Grand canyon, because of the great scenery, and the challenge is going to put me through being out in the middle of the desert with only what I have of food and water to survive for the next day riding 150 miles a day. If this is what I’m going to expect riding across the country, this will get me ready for it.

More about Joel Avina

Joel is about 30 years old, comes from a large family and the father of a really cute 9 year old son, who joins him on some of his training rides in our local mountains. Joel is a very modest individual who wants nothing more than to be a great role model for his son and to teach him that he can achieve anything that he sets his mind to. He truly leads by example.

As Joel was growing up, he tried and excelled at several things including nearly going Pro in skateboarding and playing rhythm guitar in a heavy metal band. He evidently excelled in another art form, graffiti – but we’ll save that story for another day.

Joel spent a good amount of time thinking about what he would like to do as a profession. He loved building things, knowing and figuring out how things work so he took a 6-month welding course and entered into our wonderful world of fabrication. That was 10 years ago and somehow, we were lucky to snag him.

So how did this charity ride come to pass Joel? “I’ve been in two charity events now. This one is called The Great Cycle Challenge and it will be the second year riding for this event.

I love giving back in any way I can!

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