Letters: Embrace bike race, all sports

I recently read your article in the paper that discussed the upcoming bike race and the worry this has created for the ski club. As a mother of a member of our local cycling team, I was bothered by some of the comments and lack of acceptance or excitement about this upcoming race.

We as a city tend to pride ourselves on supporting local sporting events, so to have cycling looked at as hindrance is rather disappointing. If we pride ourselves on accepting and encouraging our youth to be active and engaged in sports or other activities then we need to show this to all youth, no matter what activity, despite our concerns (assumptions).

Our goal is for youth to seek joy and passion in what they participate in, not have them see or hear about an article in a local paper about the distaste their upcoming race is bringing to others in the community. Assumptions and judgment can hinder so many things for so many people.

I encourage the community to learn more about racing events, the effort that goes into them, along with seeing the joy on the youths’ faces as they go for their personal best or are racing for the first time. I also encourage the community to learn more about the camaraderie and excitement from the parents, the league and the volunteers that go above and beyond at every race to ensure that the venue is left unscathed.

If we focused on the aspects of camaraderie, excitement, passion, and joy we could reap the benefits that this event will provide to our community and to our youth.

Justine Groshens,

Cloquet