Bike Safety Chief Pedals Past Woes

By SILVIO J. PANTA, Californian staff writer
e-mail: spanta@bakersfield.com

Saturday February 02, 2002, 10:16:00 PM

The biggest obstacle cyclist Ron Jones ever conquered in life was not the long, asphalt-laden roadways he pedaled on, but the crippling self-doubt that plagued his mind.

Jones' weakened resolve robbed him of seeking the college education he thought he could never have after his graduation from North High School 23 years ago.

"It was something rich kids got to do," Jones said of those times. "That's kind of the way I thought about it."

The back-breaking years that followed in the oil fields of Kern County and in the construction business did little to improve Jones' outlook.

But it also did nothing to quell his deep-seated yearning to go the distance -- the same way he eventually would in competitive bicycle racing.

Jones' long journey toward self-discovery carried him past the finish line of academia when he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cal State Bakersfield in 1997 as a double major in physical education and English.

That same journey also helped turn the 42-year-old health nut and part-time fitness instructor at Bakersfield College into Kern County's first designated bicycle safety coordinator.

Jones' $51,000-a-year position as a program specialist requires managing "Share the Road," a 27-month, state-funded program aimed at reducing bicycle and pedestrian accidents through safety education for children and adults.

The $224,000 program is administered through the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. The program started in April 2000 and is scheduled to end in June.

Jones hopes his spiritual awakening will inspire others who are facing adversity to follow his lead and muster the courage to believe in themselves.

"I can remember working in the oil fields around 1980 right below the bluff area of Bakersfield College and hearing the college bells ring at the top of the hour and thinking to myself how I would never get to be a college student," Jones said.

All that briefly changed when Jones bought the required textbook for a welding class he once took at the junior college. The joy of walking around campus with the book in his hands changed his outlook, almost overnight.

"Then the reality set in, and I went back to work listening to the college bells from the oil fields below, covered in oil and grime," Jones continued.

"Do I appreciate walking onto a campus now? You bet," he said of his newfound knowledge. "I've earned it and know what it's like on the other side without an education."

The longtime Bakersfield resident is currently in graduate school, working toward a master's degree in kinesiology at Cal State Northridge.

A statistics class this past semester required a 200-mile round trip drive every Tuesday to the San Fernando Valley campus, but Jones wasn't happy with his instructor.

Still, Jones faced bigger hurdles during his lifetime than a lackluster college instructor.

There was the time when he felt so trapped by his job in the oil field because it failed to provide him with benefits or a secure financial future.

Even Jones' five-year ownership of a small excavation and grading business during the early 1980s failed to lift his spirits.

Jones still aspired for bigger things despite the financial drawbacks of his station in life, he said.

"It was feast or famine. I wanted something with more security and stability," Jones said. "I wanted something to give me more satisfaction."

While Jones does not want to alienate the friends he made before he became an instructor and fitness enthusiast, he said he only wanted something better for his future.

In fact, Jones wanted it so bad he would often drive to Los Angeles on weekends just to spend a day visiting museums and art galleries.

Then there were the hard rock concerts Jones and his band of merry head-bangers -- that included his brother, Marc -- would travel the coast to attend. The "Road Crue" group was named in honor of the heavy metal rock band Motley Crue, Jones said.

"I think that people who don't connect with music age prematurely," Jones said.

Wherever Metallica, Pantera and Van Halen, and a host of other metal bands played, the "Crue" was certain to be there, he said.

But the joy of watching the bands belt out their hits was, in hindsight, a form of escape, Jones admits. He was only trying to find solace -- no matter how fleetingly brief -- in something he could enjoy with friends.

"My biggest fear was that I would never get out," Jones said of his former life. "That's why I went to so many rock concerts."

Jones' resilience stems from a strong work ethic that was established since the days his great-great grandfather, Henry Taylor, homesteaded in Hunts Siding -- an area that would one day become McFarland -- May 21, 1891, Jones said.

Cecil Taylor, Jones' great grandfather, farmed in the area, but he and his wife, Lola, bought about two acres of land a mile and a half south of Famoso on Highway 99.

Jones was born Nov. 12, 1959, in Los Angeles but spent most of his youth living in the San Joaquin Valley before moving to Bakersfield his freshman year of high school, he said.

He divorced his first wife in 1998 but last year married Candas Klosowski, a native of Tulsa, Okla., who has lived in Bakersfield for five years.

Klosowski shares Jones' passion for fitness.

"Our relationship works because of her passion for health and fitness," he said.

"I'm a transplant to Bakersfield," she said. "I was always just active and that's how we met."

Jones spent a year with the Kern County Health Department working in AIDS prevention education before starting work in 1999 as an English and health teacher at East High School.

Jones' term teaching at East High lasted a year before he became involved with the "Share the Road" program in April 2000.

Jones' undying commitment to education had on impact on his 20-year-old daughter from his first marriage, Alicia Juliann, who is currently a junior majoring in political science at Barnard College in New York City at Columbia University.

Alicia, a 1999 Centennial High School graduate, credits her parents for encouraging her to seek a college degree and explained how her father's struggle to earn his own degree made him into what he is today.

She especially noted how Jones was better suited for a life outside of the blue-collar world he grew up in.

"My dad wasn't cut out for it," Alicia said. "It wasn't what he wanted," Alicia said. "He wasn't there a lot, but I respect what he did and I think it paid off in the end."

During his teens, Jones' poor self-image kept him from distinguishing himself despite the encouragement he got from one of his high school teachers, Harry Maloney.

Maloney, 55, who has taught at North High School for 26 years, remembered Jones as a pensive sort who dropped out of an English class Maloney begged him to stick with.

Maloney was miffed by Jones' departure from his class, but years later the former student made up for his withdrawal by turning in an "A" term college paper that Jones sent to Maloney.

Jones' academic success moved the veteran high school teacher so much that he attended his former pupil's college graduation in 1997, Maloney said.

While he regrets dropping out of Maloney's English class all those years ago, Jones credits Maloney for being among the people who inspired to keep trying in spite of himself.

"The thought that he would remember me in that way for caring enough to push him ... it's a good thing to hear," Maloney said. "As a teacher you face a lot of laziness ... you could see (Jones) had a lot of potential."

Among the biggest obstacles a teacher faces are distractions like jobs, money, cars and the like that often impede a student's education, Maloney said.

In Jones' case, Maloney said, he was thoughtful "but rebellious at the same time."

"Ron, in his own way, wanted to move forward," Maloney said. "And eventually he did."

Jones strongly credits his maternal uncle, Brent Montgomery, for encouraging and pushing him to pursue a collegiate career.

"I never thought I could actually enroll in college, let alone graduate, until my Uncle Brent changed my mind in 1988," Jones recalled. "My parents always thought I was 'trade-school' material."

Montgomery, a 53-year-old retiree who taught physical education at Thompson Junior High School, now works as a state park ranger in Eureka.

While he suggested cycling to his nephew as a way to stay fit, Montgomery stressed the need for an education as well, he said.

A college degree meant a great deal to Jones even though he came from a household where it wasn't valued at all, Montgomery said.

"College just wasn't a big deal," Montgomery said. The mind-set during Jones' youth was "we're blue collar and we're going to stay that way," Montgomery said.

"He has gone through a lot of trials and errors," Montgomery said of his nephew. "He tried different things."

Those things included a stab at photography and radio disk jockeying, Jones said.

"I think that was one of the most devastating blows of my life," Jones said. "I'm a pretty artistic dude and a good photographer and literally would have killed myself to do that job well.

"But that's how it goes and it made me start thinking about maybe going to school or finding more security in life," Jones said.

Jones tried to parlay his love of heavy metal rock music by playing AOR or Album Oriented Rock for a small station called Magic 98 FM from 1980 to 1981, he said.

Back then Jones jammed the turntables on the weekends from midnight until 6 p.m., Jones said.

But Jones never got the break he was searching for in the fields he tried at those times, he said.

"I made my own breaks. That's what I enjoy about racing," Jones said. "I was sick and tired of people not coming through. I took the work ethic and it played (a role) in molding me."

And it did.

Jones competed in numerous cycling and running competitions, which included the Race Across America in both 1995 and 1996, and the men's cross country and track meets of the Bakersfield College Western States Conference.

Those athletic feats also earned Jones a 1995 Mayor's Proclamation of Recognition and a commendation from the Kern County Board of Supervisors that same year.

In addition to those honors Jones is also a Kern County emergency medical technician.

Jones' cross country coach from North High, Stan Ingram, said his former team member had no previous athletic experience but distinguished himself through sheer iron-willed determination -- and set records.

Ingram, 63, who coached at North High for 32 years before retiring in 1995, added that while Jones wasn't the most outgoing youth, he certainly was the most committed to running. Ingram now lives in Cheney, Kansas.

"He was very competitive. His character and athleticism went hand in hand," Ingram recalled. "(Jones) was a sleeping giant.

"But cross country really wasn't his sport," Ingram said. "Track was."

Jones proved this by running the 440-yard dash in 49 seconds and doing the 880-yard run in a 1 minute, 51 seconds, Ingram said.

"He just blossomed," Ingram said.

Jones said he never really knew how much easier getting an education is compared to cycling until he completed the Race Across America competition.

"My body hurt so bad that when the massage therapist simply touched my skin I would scream in pain," Jones said.

"At some point, my crew had to help get my feet in and out of the clipless pedals because twisting my feet to get out of them would throw me into severe cramps," Jones continued. "I thought the tendons were going to pull right off the bones."

While college meant a different kind of pain and sacrifice for Jones, it really wasn't easier, Jones notes. Jones applied himself to his school work in the same way he did with his cycling -- intensely.

"I spent most of my time training alone because I couldn't find anyone that wanted to endure the levels of pain I was willing to go through in order to be successful in cycling," Jones said.

"Five-hour rides -- at high-intensity -- pushing every pedal stroke and wanting to rip the head off anyone that got in my way -- that's hard year after year," Jones said.

"I have an extra gear that most people don't have ... when I'm really into it, I enjoy feeling the pain -- I don't block it out," Jones said. "I embrace it."

Jones credits Montgomery for introducing him into the world of cycling. Jones held his own despite his exhaustion during his introduction into the grueling sport, Montgomery recalled.

"He caught on and he obviously gravitated toward it because he had a lot of success (with it)," Montgomery said of Jones.

The success Montgomery speaks of are Jones' championship accomplishments in the 1995 and 1996 Race Across America competitions and other cycling events.

Jones' success was attained in part through the encouragement Montgomery and Jones' father provided during the days when Jones starting out in cycling.

"I kind of encouraged Ron," his uncle said. "He was the only one who had a competitiveness in him. We got him interested in riding."

Jones' short-lived foray in radio was revived in 1997 when he co-hosted an hourlong Saturday afternoon talk show with the late Norm Hoffman -- Jones' best friend and locally known cycling athlete.

But high costs and the demands to come up with new material to discuss every week ended the program (called "The Health Dudes" on AM 1230) in 1998.

He would then spearhead an unwavering effort to make Bakersfield safer for bicyclists through responsible road-sharing with motorists.

Jones works year-round -- including the weekends and evenings -- managing the budget for "Sharing the Road," reporting to the state and making presentations to civic leaders, politicians and others.

"So basically I earn every penny (of what I get paid). And I'm a good deal for the taxpayers," Jones said jokingly.

Jones also earns his keep as an instructor for bike safety because of his vast experience as a competitive cyclist.

Jones' commitment to the sport enables him to connect with children in a way a non-cyclist cannot, he said.

"Kids can see right through someone who doesn't know or believe in what they're talking about," Jones said. "I'm the real thing as a cyclist. I know and believe in what I'm talking about.

"There is nothing worse than someone who doesn't even ride a bike (and who teaches) bike safety. The kids just tune them out in the first two minutes," Jones continued.

"When I talk to the kids, I can back up my presentation with not only research but real-life experiences and stories."

Road sharing among motorists and bicyclists is especially important to Jones since his father, Ron Jones Sr., suffered a compound fracture in his right leg when a motorist drove through an intersection and struck him while riding a bike three years ago.

The elder Jones' recovery from his injuries brought both father and son closer, Ron Jones said.

"When I saw him in the hospital he had aged 20 years," Jones solemnly recalled. "He did not have his faculties about him."

A road rage incident in May nearly injured Jones during a bike ride when the driver of a truck hauling a horse trailer cut him off Woody Highway.

The driver shouted at Jones when it was over, but for him such behavior really wasn't unusual in a city whose denizens don't take bike safety as seriously as he does.

"That's common. I get hassled all the time," Jones said of the Woody Highway incident.

"This is not a bike-friendly town. We want the opportunity to share the road."

Jones' plans for the future are "up in the air" as the state-financed program he works for ends in six months.

One option Jones would consider is a return to teaching high school, preferably in a health-related field, he said.

Jones expressed no regrets about the injuries he suffered during his quest in attaining athletic prowess in competitive cycling.

"Would I change anything? No. But I paid a price ... but that was my choice and that's how I did it," Jones said. "I'd rather be racing across America than working in the oil fields, I guess."

"What was hard to do is sweet to remember."
--Seneca

My Personal Comments:  I've had some limited success so far--and I'm still trying my best to improve throughout the long journey.  I agreed to do this feature story in the hopes that others would be encouraged to go back to college or begin a college education.  I also wanted the article to encourage healthy lifestyles for all types of people from all types of backgrounds.  You don't have to be rich or privileged to go to college today or to be healthy and fit--you just have to want it.  There were also numerous people that made what success I've had possible...without them there would be no story at all; they deserve recognition.

On a very personal note, I did not feel that the inclusion of my first wife Alana would be something she would feel comfortable with--I thought maybe Alana would rather not be involved with any kind of press coverage. However, I need to say that Alana, her family, and my daughter Alicia were instrumental in getting me through school and into the winner's circle of athletics.  We all worked very hard together to get each other through school and life's trials...I will never forget what we accomplished together.  Alana and I both have college degrees and teaching credentials and Alicia is now finishing her college degree...that's pretty good considering the starting line.

There have been others that have helped me along the way.  Without them--no story...

Norm Hoffman:  Norm was my first college teacher and later became by first bicycle coach and eventually a professional colleague and a best friend.  He taught me everything he knew about cycling, training, and health education.  Norm kept me alive at times when I didn't think I could make it from one day to the next.  Norm had a huge influence on my life and was a wonderful teacher...he's still teaching me today even though he is no longer with us.

Paul Webb:  Paul taught me about the art of war and about swordsmanship.  Paul took a kid from Oildale and turned him into a skilled warrior.  He provided me with my swords in the form of custom racing bikes, books of knowledge from the East, and life lessons...it's all about strategy man...thanks Paul.

My Parents:  While our time together was limited in my early adulthood, since my Dad's near death by bike three years ago, my parents and I have enjoyed a great relationship filled with mutual love and support.  I truly cherish my moments with them and realize now that I'm older how much they have influenced me.  Without my parents' lessons of hard work, I would not be the same.  They always worked and provided what my brother Marc and I needed and beyond.  I love them for this.

My Brother Marc:  Without Marc's help in RAAM and some of my other extravaganzas, there would have not been an "experience."  Marc's technical work rocked and rolled us across the country numerous times and across the deserts of California.  He has vision and was always willing to "get the fever" and crank it when I needed his support.  I still don't understand half of what he talks about regarding technology, but I always enjoy the finished product!  Thanks Bro...

The Road Crue:  Life without music ain't no life at all!  Nothing like a gig in Hollywood with the dudes to rejuvenate and motivate man...thanks for the "best of times" Ed, Moe, Brian, Marc, et al.  They kept us all going a little harder and a little faster and definitely louder!

Dr. Lorna Clymer:  I cannot say enough about how much Lorna has assisted my academic development and supported me as a dear friend.  Lorna has opened a higher level of meaning to life for me.  I became a much better student with each one of her classes and learned so much as her English research assistant at CSUB.  Thanks for Anne Sexton and memento mori Lorna...it helped my acceleration.

My Wife Candas:  Graduate school and starting my bike program while dealing with the death of my best friend Norm has been an incredibly difficult time and Candas has always been there and supportive--and keenly sensitive to everything spinning around in my life.  While she wasn't there in the early days--she has been around through some of the most trying times the last couple of years--but also the most enlightening.  She treats me very well...thanks again Sweetie.

Ron Jones, February 2002

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