The new lessons and survey follow a federal investigation into Redlands Unified’s handling of sexual misconduct — and come amid nationwide cuts to civil rights enforcement.
The Redlands Bicycle Classic, set for April 9-13, is a treat for the senses.
The colors. The whoosh of bikes passing. The crowd cheering. It’s all on display.
This year, as in years past, there is a cadre of young local riders competing. Most of them were weaned on racing in this bicycle-crazed city.
Here are four to watch:
THOMAS FULLER
Bicycling dominates the life of Redlands' Thomas Fuller (in black gloves). (Courtesy Photo)
Fuller's life currently revolves around bicycling. He works 40 hours a week at Cyclery USA in Redlands. When Fuller is not fixing or selling bikes, he trains.
“I like the physical challenge of pushing myself to the limit,” Fuller said.
Fuller, 26, played baseball in Redlands as a kid. But his father Mike Fuller raced mountain bikes in the 1990s. Mike brought his son to the classic at an early age.
Home-schooled during his formative years, Fuller joined a high school mountain bike league and enjoyed it. He switched to road racing at 19 and rode competitively at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. He also nabbed a mathematics degree there.
Along the way Fuller won a national championship. He captured the U.S. Gravel Championship in Nebraska.
By 3 years old, Thomas Fuller was already competing in the kids' portion of the Redlands Bicycle Classic. (Photo: Courtesy)
Fuller now rides for I-Speed Pro Racing Presented by DNA Cycling. He is looking forward to the classic.
“There are major changes in the race,” Fuller said. “Highland is out and there is a new stage in Crafton Hills that suits me well. I have an off-road background and there is a dirt-road section in the Crafton Hills stage that is unique to this year’s race. I’m also a solid climber.”
EVAN LARSON
Evan Larson is a fourth generation Redlander who is revved up about this year's classic. (Photo: Courtesy)
Larson, 20, is a fourth-generation Redlander and a Redlands High (Class of 2022) graduate.
By 17 he participated in the Redlands Bicycle Classic as a guest rider for the LUX-CTS p/b Specialized Team. His father Ben, mother Stefanie and brother Kyle all watched that year.
Larson played youth soccer until he was 10 when his cousin Colin Jones introduced him to bicycling. He competed in the local junior development program, GS Andiamo. Then he switched at 13 to Team California Juniors. Now he rides with fellow Redlands resident Thomas Fuller on the I-Speed team.
“Training is going good and I’m happy with my fitness and feel good about how the team will do this year,” Larson said.
Larson has an associate’s degree from Riverside City College where he studied math and chemistry. He is currently taking a break from school to focus on riding. He yearns to go professional.
“I like to practice and work on my own to get results,” he said. “I like the team aspect too, but I enjoy the solo training process. The work you put in will be the results you get out of it.”
The Category 1 rider hopes a stellar effort in Redlands will catapult him to pro status.
ELLA SABO
Ella Sabo has made a smooth transition from flag football to road racing. (Photo: Courtesy)
Sabo, 19, was raised in a bicycling family with her parents, Jessi and the late Jolon Sabo having hosted classic riders in the past. She started mountain biking three years ago and then switched to road racing after a year.
“I had always gone to the Redlands Bicycle Classic with my family and during COVID I started riding my bike more,” Sabo said. “I entered some races, and I liked it, and so I kept going.”
She competed in the classic as a pro last year for the first time. The former Loma Linda Academy flag football player rides for Colorado Mesa University.
She said a highlight of last year’s event was former Loma Linda flag football coaches and teammates cheering for her.
Sabo’s father died of a brain aneurysm in January of 2023. He is on her mind.
“For sure, I think about him,” she said. “He loved riding bikes and he loved the Redlands Bicycle Classic. I think if he saw me toeing the starting line that he’d be proud of me.”
DEVIN WILSON
Devin Wilson and his brother Hunter (left) rode in a Redlands Bicycle Classic kids' race in their pre-teen years. (Photo: Courtesy)
Wilson, 23, is another Redlands native with connections to the classic. His father, Sean Wilson, was a pro in the 1980s who raced the classic numerous times. He is now a registrar for the event.
Devin competed in soccer and martial arts as a youth but eventually gravitated toward road racing.
“I began road racing when I was 10 or 12 but I didn’t get serious until I was 17,” said the UC Davis biology student. “It’s nice to ride here. I grew up doing the School Duel (a Redlands Bicycle Classic-oriented event) and so it’s always been part of my dream to ride here. This is the second time for me.”
Wilson will represent the Alto Velo team of Palo Alto.
He said he enjoys riding in Northern California as well as SoCal because of the many scenic places to ride.
The camaraderie among riders is also a plus.
“I like making connections with people,” Wilson said. “Bicycling is a great facilitator. You meet people and you all have a common interest. It’s easy to make friends.”
Community Forward Redlands is providing special coverage of the Redlands Bicycle Classic as an in-kind Gold Pedal media sponsor.
A third-generation San Francisco native. His first job was in Watsonville, where he wrote stories on a typewriter and people smoked in the office. He's covered Redlands, San Bernardino and Riverside.
