capturing the heart of youth cycling…
Bill Kurtz and John Mrakovcich, longtime supporters of CCAP, use their photography to capture the spirit of youth cycling in Connecticut. Their images document races and showcase the personal growth, confidence, and community that cycling fosters among young riders.
Both Bill and John are passionate about the impact that cycling has on families and the individual development of young athletes, emphasizing teamwork, resilience, and the joy of the sport.
CCAP - As a photographer, you’ve captured many moments of kids getting involved in cycling through our teams and events. How do you think cycling helps strengthen family bonds?
Bill - Cycling is an activity or a sport for life. For example, there aren't a lot of opportunities for kids to see their parents play football.
I think it's great to see so many parents and children racing in the same race in different categories, taking turns supporting each other on the startling line and out on the course. Having the whole family involved helps to show the young racers that sports are about more than being in the contest, but about being a part of the experience for someone else. I think it's especially important for the girls to see their moms out there.
CCAP - As a photographer, you’ve captured many moments of kids getting involved in cycling through our teams and events. How do you think cycling helps strengthen family bonds?
John - The sport of cycling allows families to explore new places together. This can be pedaling the local bike path together or traveling across the state to participate in a bike race. No matter what scale the journey may be, cycling always provides opportunities to create shared memories and to strengthen family relationships.
CCAP - What’s a standout moment (related to a youth or young adult of course) you’ve witnessed at a CCAP event?
Bill - There are so many! One recent one jumps out: at the TNC Finale in July, I saw Nate Summers and Will Rueckert ride in the junior race with a teammate clearly brand-new to the sport, encouraging him, coaching him on technique. When they passed me each lap, I could hear them giving him some piece of advice. I think they rode the whole race with him and in the end, Nate's result shows that he got lapped! That's a pretty big sacrifice to make for the sake of developing a future rider, considering that he had an excellent chance of taking the win. But then there are lots of others as well; the Farmington Valley team always shows up strong and represents through a bunch of categories and from front to back in their fields and I think that's a testament to their coach, Jeff Cote.
CCAP - What’s a standout moment (related to a youth or young adult of course) you’ve witnessed at a CCAP event?
John - A standout moment for me was when a parent came to me after her daughter told her that the picture I took of her made her feel very confident about herself, something she had never experienced before. She said she had "never seen herself as a warrior, or competitor, until I saw my picture of the bike race." I felt that as a photographer, I had a small part in helping boost her confidence.
Cycling is a team sport. Over the last few years, I have watched many young CCAP riders grow into dependable teammates who train hard to overcome challenges and cheerfully support their fellow riders.
CCAP - From behind the lens, what changes have you seen in kids when they discover cycling as part of a community?
Bill - I think it's great to see so many of them get stronger and more confident. They develop a lot of grit, racing in all kinds of weather like the crazy rain last year at Moran CX and Governor's Guard. I watched one of Duane Samuel's Moran Middle School racers wipe out in the mud at the bottom of a hill and he just got up, got back on, and kept at it. Cycling makes kids independent. Out in the woods, a rider might be separated from their coach and any spectators. If they drop a chain, get a flat, or run into some other kind of problem they have to manage it on their own. It can be lonely but they develop a great capacity to be self-motivators with no one telling them what to do from the sidelines.
CCAP - How do you feel photography can help share the impact that cycling programs like CCAP have on families?
John - When children see their photo after a race, they feel special. Seeing themselves with their friends, family, and coaches makes them feel part of a group and adds to their sense of belonging.
CCAP - How do you feel photography can help share the impact that cycling programs like CCAP have on families?
Bill - As an English teacher during most of the workweek, I always tell my students that "showing is better than telling" and photographs are a great way to show kids and families working towards a goal, pushing themselves past their limits, supporting each other, and having a lot of fun while doing it.
It's hard to look at a photo of a line of 10 year olds pushing themselves up "Heckle Hill" past a crowd of cheering spectators and still think that all kids want to do is sit inside on their smartphones. CCAP and other youth cycling programs are doing a great job of getting kids outside and showing them ways to stay active for life.
CCAP - What makes capturing kids on bikes at CCAP events special to you, and why do you think sharing those images with a wider audience is important?
John - For one, capturing CCAP events is special because it keeps me involved in a sport I have loved for over 30 years. I have been a cyclist since 1986, (the same year Greg Lemond won his first Tour de France!).
Also, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science, which reinforces my knowledge of sports and the benefits of exercise. Many people I meet don't know about the CCAP. We know that team sports benefit a child's physical, emotional, mental, and intellectual development. I believe sharing images with wider audiences informs the public about the importance of sports in building a healthier society.
CCAP - What makes capturing kids on bikes at CCAP events special to you, and why do you think sharing those images with a wider audience is important?
Bill - Personally, I love riding bikes of course, but second to that I really enjoy photography and I like bike racing, so photographing a race always seems like a great way to spend a day. My unofficial motto is 'everyone gets the pro treatment' and what I mean by that is that I try to make everyone look good, whether they're at the tip of the spear or the back of the pack.
I think it's important for kids, especially if they're not winning regularly, to see themselves represented that way, to know that yeah, maybe they're taking the struggle bus up that hill but they're out there doing it. I've gotten some nice words from parents who tell me that their kids are always eager to see photos of themselves in the race and how it helps them feel confident--I always feel good about that.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Bill and John for their dedication to capturing the spirit of youth cycling through their incredible photography.
Their work has not only enriched our events but also undoubtedly inspired riders and families to get involved in the sport and give it their absolute best. We greatly appreciate their invaluable feedback and creative vision!