T.C. Hulsey

T.C. just might be Napa’s Bike Champion of the Century – his contributions are countless, deep, and spanning.

In Napa County, T.C.’s name is synonymous with bicycling. He has been riding and commuting by bike for 61 years and has promoted biking throughout his career and retirement, beginning in the 1990s. T.C. volunteered at UCI mountain bike races, the Tour of Napa Valley, and Napa Valley Transportation Authority’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee. During his time working at Napa State Hospital, he developed and led bicycling groups for patients to enhance their physical and mental health. When he was placed in charge of the hospital’s Grounds Presence Team, he organized training for them and established a bike patrol.

More recently, T.C.’s time and talents have been invaluable to both the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition (NVVT) and the Napa County Bicycle Coalition (NCBC). He now chairs NVVT’s Programs Committee, where he launched the Trail Ambassador program. Over 20 volunteer ambassadors are available to provide assistance and information along all three completed segments of the trail when needed. Said Shawn Casey-White, NVVT Executive Director, “T.C.’s volunteer army builds a ‘Smile for Miles’ culture for the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all Vine Trail users. I couldn’t do my job without T.C.” 

As a part of NCBC’s Advocacy Working Group, T.C. attends public meetings to advocate for better bike infrastructure. Kara Vernor, NCBC Executive Director, said, “T.C. always knows the right thing to say, and his infectious positivity and belief in the power of bicycling wins people over.” TC is also the volunteer lead on NCBC’s first-of-its-kind Adopt-a-Highway partnership with Caltrans under which NCBC sweeps the protected bike lanes on Imola Avenue. Vernor said, “Had T.C. not stepped up to help, I’m not sure we would have felt we had the capacity to commit to the monthly cleaning that has prevented these important bike lanes from being removed.”

T.C. doesn’t hesitate to lead by example or to offer his personal background for inspiration. He shares, “I have been handicapped since I was an infant, and have always walked with a very pronounced limp. When I learned to ride a bicycle, it was the first time in my life that I felt like a ‘normal’ kid. I hope to be able to inspire other people who may not think they can enjoy the benefits that cycling can bring. I’m now old and handicapped. If I can do it, they can too!”

Holly Ong, Secretary of the NVVT, said it best: “It’s hard to do justice to all the volunteer hours and the kaleidoscope activities that T.C. has done to enhance safety, advocacy and inclusion for the riders of the Napa Valley.”

The Calistoga Riding for Focus Team

Teachers Eric Heitz & Louise Owens

Two teachers who saw an opportunity to build the safety, confidence, and mental health of students through biking, and who made that opportunity a reality.

Eric Heitz, a middle school teacher at Calistoga Jr./Sr. High School, became aware of the Outride Foundation’s Riding for Focus program through a friend of his who taught the program in a neighboring county. Inspired by seeing how much the students enjoyed the program, he banded together with co-teacher Louise Owens to advocate for bringing the program to Calistoga. After securing permission from the school district and writing a successful grant application, the two brought the program to Calistoga in the summer of 2023.

The Riding for Focus team has since been teaching around 120 7th and 8th grade students each year to improve their bike handling skills and their understanding of traffic safety. The grant brought Eric and Louise to a 3-day training institute, provided them the 12-lesson curriculum that also emphasizes social and emotional outcomes, and allowed them to purchase 34 helmets and Specialized Rockhopper bikes. The school district provided a facility to store the bikes.

Eric said, “I’ve been surprised that so many students were open to learning new and challenging bicycle techniques. Some students had NO riding experience and are now riding independently!”

Louise noted how the attitude toward reducing car traffic and using bikes to get to school has improved. “The school now has a secure, dedicated space for student bikes with racks for youth who ride.”

Carlotta Sainato, Program Manager for the Napa County Bicycle Coalition, notes, “The Riding for Focus team has made a huge contribution to Napa County’s Safe Routes to Schools Partnership and is growing a generation of young riders in Calistoga who are safer and more confident.”

Audra Pittman, Superintendent of the Calistoga Unified School District and the team’s nominator, sent a note of thanks to Eric and Louise for effort and undertaking and for “providing this opportunity to our students!”