This Saturday’s 22nd Annual Cochise County Cycling Classic is being dedicated to longtime Douglas resident and race supporter Curtis Foster.

Cycling Classic dedicatee Curtis Foster

Working with Dr. Armando DeGuzman and Bob Benjamin beginning in 1987, Curtis helped found the Cochise Classic.

“Curtis is an enthusiastic volunteer who serves as the co-director of the Cochise Classic,” said Richard J. DeBernardis, CEO and President of Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc. “He is an active volunteer for many organizations in the Douglas community and works for the Douglas Library.  Curtis received the District Award of Merit from the Cochise County Boy Scouts of America and a Wood Badge for scout leadership.”

“Curtis is being honored because he is not only an outstanding volunteer but a person who cares about the youth in his community”, said Sheila Foraker, Cochise Classic event director.  “Curtis is a youth mentor and uses the event to provide opportunities for youth in Douglas to develop leadership qualities.”

Foster says it’s really hard to keep a surprise from him but somehow the staff did and he was both shocked and honored when it was announced he would be this year’s dedicatee.

“The girls came into the library with a dozen yellow roses and I said to them ‘what’s the deal with the roses it’s not my birthday,’” he said. “When Sally and Sheila told me they knew it wasn’t my birthday they were dedicating the ride to me I was speechless.”

Foster says it’s been fun watching this event grow over the years and at the same time not grow too large that it loses its personal touch.

“We have about 350 to 400 riders who compete every year compared to over 9,000 who compete in El Tour,” he said. “This makes this event more of a family ride. A lot of us have gotten to know each other pretty well over the years.”

Foster, who grew up in Portland, Ore. and is the son to the late Andy and Marge Foster, personally felt that closeness when the people he worked with helped him cope with the death of his mother.

Last year’s event was held shortly after Foster lost his mom; three and a half weeks later his youngest son was killed in a car accident.

Foster says his friends at P.B.A. were there during those difficult times.

“Their support meant a lot to me,” he said.

Since his initial involvement Foster says there have been so many highlights that it would be difficult to name all of them.

“I do remember about 15 years ago I was out between Rodeo and Roadforks, N.M. waiting for a cyclist,” he said. “I was supposed to be out there a few minutes … a few minutes turned into five to six hours. I had no food with me and I was sitting out there waiting for this cyclist. … One of the cycling crews came by saw me and asked me when was the last time I had eaten. I told here several hours ago; she went inside (her trailer) and fixed me spaghetti.”

Come to find out the cyclist Foster was waiting for had opted at the last minute to ride in one of the shorter rides.

“The people that come here are phenomenal,” Foster said. “The cyclist that come through and their crews go out of their way to make sure everyone is taken care of. This has become a big part of my life.”

Foster will be honored at the pre-race dinner and bike expo this Friday at Cochise College.

The 2009 Cochise Classic will feature the 252, 157, 92, or 45-mile events.  Start/finish lines for all events are located at Castro Park 10th Street and D Avenue.

The 252-mile event begins at 2 a.m. Saturday; the 157 at 6 a.m.; the 92 at 6:30 a.m. and the 45 at 8 a.m.

Riders are expected to finish between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday.

A new four-mile fun ride will also take place this year.

The Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. Fun Ride will begin at 8:30 am at Castro Park in Douglas and is open to all ages and abilities. The four-mile course is relatively flat and suitable for any non-motorized bicycle. Medallions will be awarded to all finishers and adults are encouraged to ride with kids for fun and support.  The registration fee is $15.00 per cyclist or for four or more in a family or group - $10.00 each.  Applications are available at the Douglas Public Library, Douglas Visitor’s Center and at http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/!CCCC/CCCChome.html

The 2009 Cochise County Cycling Classic hopes to raise $5,000 for the Douglas Association for Retarded Citizens (DARC).

Since its inception, the Cochise Classic has raised over $73,000 for both DARC and the Arthritis Foundation.

The Cochise Classic receives support and cooperation from the City of Douglas, Cochise County, Cochise College, Southeast Arizona Medical Center, Dependable Health Services, Inc., Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc., Dakotapro.biz, Wells Fargo Bank, Gadsden Hotel, Motel 6-Douglas, Douglas Daily Dispatch, KDAP Radio, 19 South Racing, Metro Restaurants, Giant Bicycle, Clif Bar and Clif Shot Bloks, Hammer Gel, Polar Water Bottle and TechNewsArizona.