Rocklin citizens geared up for the adventure of a bike ride unlike any other in Rocklin history.

Rocklin Unified School District hosted its first Tour de Rocklin. The program is a nonprofit organization that offered the five-, 10-, 20- and 40-mile bike rides to participants.

Ted Stapenhorst, the event planner, said he thought of the idea with two other district employees after they all rode in the Bike Around the Buttes in April 2008. Together, the men were inspired to create some sort of biking event to benefit the school district. Assembled committees began to meet two months later.

The Tour de Rocklin is partnered up with Rocklin Educational Excellence Foundation to support and enhance education in the community. REEF will collect revenues and distribute the funds to all 15 schools equally. REEF has agreed to spend the finances according to the wishes of Stapenhorst and his district employees.

Schools have already decided to spend money on improved technology.

The revenues are currently still being calculated, but already the district reports to exceeding the initial goal of $1,500. Intentionally, the goal was kept low because it was the first year of the program. Economically, the revenues are especially helpful given the current state budget situation.

The Tour de Rocklin had 17 sponsors, ranging from Chick-Fil-A to Vicki Brown’s self-employed Juice Plus business. Brown, who strives to educate families and youth about the importance of nutrition and fitness, believes that exercise, along with increased intake of fruits and vegetables, can improve one’s physical condition. She said she also feels that fitness can improve one’s mental outlook and enhance his or her quality of life.

Like the entrepreneur, Whitney High’s club, Cats for Cure, also aims to make a positive difference in lives affected by disease. The motto, “scratch out cancer,” reveals their support towards the American Cancer Society. Club adviser and Whitney psychology teacher Jason Knowles helped the Wildcats sell beverages at the tour to help fund their cause.

Much of the support came from the heart of the school district: the teachers and their students.

Sixth-grade teacher at Cobblestone Elementary School Cindy Smith led her class in promoting the event to help them understand the values of community and cause. Last year, her kids fixed bikes to give to the less fortunate in addition to raising more than $1,000 to purchase mosquito nets to fight malaria in Africa.

“I am big time into service learning and we are constantly working on projects that reach the community in some way,” Smith said.

The event seemed to appeal to citizens of different ages and riding abilities. Young children could ride with their family in the five-mile family ride. High school senior Clarissa Prewitt designed the annual logo in her digital art class. Next year, the tour will feature a different logo of a high school artist from either Rocklin High or Whitney High.

“It (the Tour de Rocklin) was super well marked. It was totally cool riding past every school other than Sierra,” said Breen kindergarten teacher Mari Oxenham who relished the 40-mile course. Although Oxenham finds no fault in the event, event planners already have insight for improvements for next year.

Stapenhorst said the event planning team plans to think of ideas to keep people at the park after completion of the biking ride. The team also plans to add two longer routes: a 62- and a 100-mile ride. The addition of the two courses should attract 600 to 750 riders total, in contrast to the 458 riders of this year.

The second annual Tour de Rocklin is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2010. For more information go to tourderocklin.org.