EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published Jan. 24, 2024.
RICHMOND, Va. — John Bolecek’s family loves being outdoors.
“I was a huge cyclist, I built my career off of it,” Bolecek said. “I mean, I love to be interactive with my kids too. We would ride bikes down to Belle Isle to the kid’s mountain bike skills course all the time.”
Provided to WTVRBolecek, who used to work for the Virginia Department of Transportation as a planner for pedestrian and cyclist projects, moved to Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood to be able to ride his bike close to the James River and to his job downtown.
Unfortunately, it’s something he doesn’t do anymore.
“It was a joy to be able to teach my youngest son how to ride his bike, and it’s a tragedy to me that I can’t be active with my children right now,” he explained.
Provided to WTVRAbout two years ago, Bolecek’s family was infected with COVID-19. He explained he was vaccinated and boosted at the time, only suffered a mild infection, and expected to eventually get over the infection.