Memory of Doug Flynn pushes cyclists at Carrera de San Luis

The founder of the Yuma Bike Club and YBC Racing is gone, but Doug Flynn's mission moves forward.
 
Led by a police escort, Keith Koller was first to cross the finish line of the 1st Annual Carrera de San Luis on Saturday, the first cycling event co-sponsored by the organization since Flynn's death less than two months ago.
 
"I know some people got scared a little, but I think they're getting over it and continuing on," Koller said of his fellow competitor, who was struck by a car and killed Sept. 24 during a morning ride with a group of other cyclists. "I know that's what he'd want, for everyone to keep riding hard because that's what he was about and loved doing."
 
Koller led a cluster of seven riders that finished the 50-mile race in just less than two hours to win the men's division.
 
"I wasn't sure what was going to happen at the end," Koller said. "Me and my buddy stuck together and I was hoping we'd break away for the finish and have it out with him, but we got a little disoriented in the pack and split up."
 
Leanne Schmunker was also in a part of the lead pack and took first place in the women's division. Winners received the Doug Flynn Award in honor of their former competitor.
 
"We put a slideshow together last night and said he (Flynn) was going to be out here riding with us today," Schmunker said. "He particularly pushed me on this stretch on our training rides. He would say, 'Come on Leanne, come on Leanne,' so I was really thinking of him that final stretch and gave it all I had for him."
 
Volunteers wore event T-shirts with a "Share the road" message printed on the back. Among those cheering on the cyclists as they reached the finish line was Flynn's wife, Mary Anne, and their children.
 
Juan Arellano had the fastest time of the boys in the youth division, finishing the race in 2:04.46 with an average speed of 22.8 miles per hour. Syria Zepeda was the top girl racer of the day.
 
"It was tough to try and keep up with the lead group," Arellano said. "It was tiring and I couldn't keep it up, but I did my best to beat my opponents. It was a much easier race because we didn't have to worry about traffic."
 
All proceeds from the race will go to the YBC Racing youth division.
 
Close to 60 registered riders competed in the race, the majority of which was completed along the recently completed State Road 195. The city of San Luis co-sponsored the race as part of the Founders Day events celebrating its 30th anniversary as an incorporated municipality.
 
"It was nice weather and safe, and you couldn't ask for a better course with good pavement," Koller said. "This is a great place to have a race."