As I was going down memory lane reminiscing about last year's events, it appeared to me that I have never shared with you my Reno-Nevada experience from September of 2023.
By not sharing about this trip, I failed to provide you with some feel-good information and I want to correct that.
A Ride out by TMBA. Photo Courtesy of TMBA
Last September, I was invited to speak about WHIRLWIND at the Bike Film Festival in Reno-Nevada. The event was put together by a non-profit organization called Truckee Meadow Bicycle Alliance (TMBA) with the support of a local donor.
I have never been to Nevada before and wasn’t sure what to expect; but I was looking forward to talking about what I am passionate about and of course discovering Nevada’s culture.
I arrived at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport early afternoon on Friday, September 22nd and was picked up by Ky Plaskon, the president of TMBA.
It was easy to find my way out of the airport to the location indicated to me; under some sort of bridge connecting the airport to what seemed to be a parking garage.
Burning Man Jewelry in the Airport.
While making my way out of the airport, I noticed arts and crafts exhibited throughout.
I must say a lot of that arts and crafts were related to the Burning Man which is a week-long large-scale desert event focusing on "community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance." This event is held annually in the western United States.
Something I also noticed were the multiple betting machines lined up throughout the airport.
This was the first time for me to walk from my plane right into a casino-airport.
I don’t bet or play the lottery and that’s just me…
So, as planned, Ky and I headed first to the venue where the event was to happen later to set up the space and also do a sound and tech check.
Once everything seemed in place, I went to my hotel room at the Circus Circus Hotel in downtown Reno.
Later that day, I presented the Whirlwind project in front of a very receptive audience.
Judging from the multiple questions and suggestions, I can certainly say the audience was excited and that pumped me up.
Whirlwind Presentation at the Reno Bike Film Festival
The next day Ky took me to visit Lake Tahoe and the Incline area.
We had a wonderful conversation in the car and I shall forever be grateful to him for his advice.
Ky also brought two mountain bikes with him so we could take a ride on one of the local trails.
I have never ridden a mountain bike before so it felt a little different than the road bike I am accustomed to.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding area and even ate breakfast at a local dining place.
Ky and Myself riding around Lake-Tahoe
After my short ride with Ky that day and a tasty breakfast, I went to volunteer for a couple hours at the Reno Bike Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit community bicycle shop and resource, which advocates for a sustainable cycling community through education, collaboration, and accessibility for everyone in Truckee Meadows.
Incidentally, the Reno Bike Project has a Major Taylor program for the Truckee Meadows youths.
In the 2.5hrs of time I spent volunteering at the RBP, I tuned up a kid’s bike and sharpened my game in changing tubes and fixing broken brakes.
I was happy to hear from the store manager that the bike was ready to go on the shelf to be sold.
Cyrille Vincent flexing on the Bike he tuned up at RBP
The next day, I left Nevada quite glad and feeling good because my time there was full of wonderful memories and feel good moments.
Everyone I met and talked to was very nice and courteous and I can’t wait to visit Reno-Nevada again someday soon.
Here is what Ky Plaskon, 2023 President of the TMBA said of my presentation:
''The audience for Cyrille's presentation was delighted to not only be entertained but also provided valuable feedback for his upcoming and much-needed documentary film on Major Taylor. Bike and historical groups nationwide and around the world should be scrambling to support this important story and the passionate producer behind it.''
Please help us tell Major Taylor's story.
America's first Black World Champion.
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