Phoenix Rising

When one fights the good fight, life just shows them the way.

Team Major Taylor Pole Position

Perhaps while minding their own business, one gets the call. This sort of call, when answered, takes one to a great adventure. 

Steve Ballinger is just this sort of hero.  He believes in cycling, and uses his gifts to help others.

Racing the "Lil 5" Photo by Tiny Washington

Steve Ballinger is a true son of Illinois. His great, great, great grandfather James was farming, and manufacturing candles when Lincoln was still running around in bare feet. (see here)

Ballinger started racing his bicycle in Illinois when he was a youth. Later he went on to race in the Little 500 at Indiana University. He was thrilled to be called by Courtney Bishop (click on photo to full size and see Bishop on the right) of the Major Taylor Scholarship Foundation to go to college, and race for Team Major Taylor.

Back in Lincoln Land

While at Indiana University, Mr. Ballinger had a great team experience.  The unity and community of the Major Taylor Scholarship environment was tight knit.

An IU administrator named Tim Stockton, (on the left in picture at top) was a powerful influence on the young Ballinger. 

"Stockton was a rock of gentle kindness and wisdom," Ballinger said. "He was always calm. I've never seen him lose his cool once."

Steve went to on to marry and have two sons, and work in optometry, tech, and even oil. But the path took a toll on his mental health. He went through some tough times.

A divorce, and a stint of homelessness were just part of the saga. Bicycling was repeatedly the buoyant life saver, and emotional regulator.

Train Station

"It's cheaper than therapy! Ballinger laments when asked about the cost of his gravel bike.

When Ballinger heard Bicycles and Ideas for Kids' Empowerment was developing a sanctuary for cycling intellectuals in Decatur Illinois, he thought maybe this space was for him.

When this caller called out of the blue, and invited him to come work for no pay, and stay in a dilapidated old building, so he could give all of himself to build a grass roots cycling academy in Illinois, Steve Ballinger was unafraid, and on the first AMTRAK train smokin!

Now he chases the ground details for upcoming renditions of Lincoln Land, a 200k farm road cycling event, as well as the creation of  a Church Street Cycling Program, a Grass track, and the annual precursor to Lincoln Land:

Pick up the Block  Saturday, September 13th, 2025.