Page 13 - Fall 2020 CMTA Report

Editor’s Note: There was one unexpected rider in this year’s Vermont Cycle 4 CMT: Yohan Bouchard,
whose uncle started the race, actually biked this year for the first time, riding his e-bike across the
Golden Gate Bridge, up the Marin Headlands and back for a 20-mile ride with 2,200 feet of climbing.
Proud mother and CMTA Board Member Elizabeth Ouellette describes her son’s path to victory.

Never Say Never Yohan Bouchard training on his e-bike

BY ELIZABETH OUELLETTE

he training wheels came off my bike long ago. I’ve for-
gotten the emotions, challenges and vulnerable feelings
of trying to balance on two wheels for a few pedal
strokes without crashing to the ground. In fact, I had
Talways taken riding a bike for granted until my then
5-year-old son, Yohan, attempted to ride his bike without
training wheels. The experience was stressful, defeating and
frustrating.
“This is not fun. Not fun at all. I’m done,” he said as he
walked slowly back in the house, head down. “I keep tipping
over. I can’t get my feet on the pedals. I’m going to die out
there. Biking is too dangerous!” When Yohan sets his mind
to something, there is no going back. He gave up biking on At about the same time we purchased Yohan’s bike, my
the spot—forever. brother, Anthony, happened to be in town. He spent an hour
Fast forward 15 years to the excitement of leaving home with Yohan in our long driveway, providing the guidance,
for university. Yohan was thrilled to have been accepted to confidence and tips Yohan needed to succeed. With a little
Pitzer, a small college in southern California spread out over practice, Yohan overcame his fears, stayed upright and felt
35 acres of relatively flat land. At 20 years old, Yohan’s arches comfortable enough to take the bike to campus, where he
had become extremely high, his toes curled and his ankles used it a few times to get back and forth to class.
were unstable. Chronic burning pain and fatigue were also Riding a bike on campus comes with its own challenges,
issues. Pitzer did not offer transportation between classes, so though, including other student bikers doing wheelies, skate-
we discussed alternative solutions. boarders weaving in and out and inattentive students on their
We suggested that Yohan try a moped, a scooter, a golf cellphones. At graduation, we packed up all of Yohan’s
cart or a Segway. Every single idea was shot down in the blink belongings, minus the bike, which was in a state of complete
of an eye until Yohan’s dad mentioned a bike. There was a disrepair, still attached to a bike rack and with a kryptonite
pause before Yohan said, “I’ll think about it.” lock whose combination had been long forgotten.
The following week, we went looking for a bike with a Just when we thought biking wasn’t in Yohan’s future, I
low crossbar. “Oh, you are looking for a girl’s bike?” joked the happened to rent a Scott e-bike during a trip to Tahoe and
salesperson. No one laughed. “Idiotic comment,” I muttered our lives changed forever. Yohan tried it out and his entire
under my breath. “No, we are looking for a low top tube for perspective on biking changed overnight. He could go fur-
people who have a hard time swinging their leg over that bar.” ther, faster, and for the first time in his life he could
accompany his friends and his dad on some longer rides.
It has a low step-through design (not called a girl’s bike)
and in pedal-assist mode, you still get a great workout with
backup power when needed.
We never thought that the child who could not ride a
bike due to lack of balance, sensation and confidence would
one day ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, maneuvering
around pedestrians, cyclists, kids and dogs. There were
setbacks, spills, road rash and fatigue, but with the support
of friends, family and our CMT community, he conquered.
Team Yohan And that’s the reason I never say never. h

FALL 2020 THE CMTA REPORT 13