History in a Coconut-shell

Roots

The original cast of IBR members came together in December of 2000 when a few friends decided they wanted to create a different cycling experience - one that focused more on the camaraderie, good ambassadorship and what we call the "Aloha spirit of the sport." 

The roots of the team were formed when these friends, who were then members of other cycling teams, joined to create a team that focused on nurturing a close-knit family on and off the bike. Through this simple mission, the founders aimed to attract like-minded members who shared the same values on and off the bike - be good citizens, honor family, be ambassadors to our sponsors and the sport, purvey the Aloha spirit all the time, every time!

And, while IBR members continued their impressive results at local races, they set out to execute on their new mission and

“Put the FUN back into cycling.”- Rob Coronel

Genesis

The original cast included Rob Coronel, Vince Pandes, Reggie Pineda, and Arnie Panaligan.  They were talking about cycling over dinner in La Jolla when the idea of creating their own team came up. Sounded a little farfetched at the time, but Arnie, being a successful entrepreneur says,

“Just do it! How much does it cost to start our own team?”…. - Arnie Panaligan

"We brainstorm a bit, came up with a number and faster than you can say Aloha, Arnie say’s 'Great, Alisa (Arnie’s wife) will send you guys a check tomorrow,'" explains Pandes.

Being that Rob, Vince, Reggie, and Arnie were all Island Boys in a sport rooted with European tradition, it felt natural to use the name Island Boy Racing. It sounded funny and a bit out of place at first, but it stuck.

The founder's first calls went out to Mike Quileza and Martin Roesch (SoCal cycling Gurus) to invite them onto to the team and help turn the dream into a reality.  Next came locking down additional sponsors, which meant that each member needed to call on their relationships. Thus, the team's initial sponsors were:  

1. Arnie’s Door
2. Premier Nutrition
3. Dixieline
4. Metropolis Furniture
5. SubDrop
6. Sockguy
7. Shimano
8. Rudy Project
9. Briggs Datacom

Things were happening quickly at this point ant the guys new they now needed “cool riders to join the team…”  Per Vince. Rob said “I got this covered and immediately picked up the phone and called several riders that fit the profile!”
As they say, the rest is history…..

Expanding Cast of Characters

The team quickly grew and to include the following members:

1. Martin “Marty” Roesch (designed our team kits AND the original IBR web site)
   
2. Peter Plaisance
   
3. Jeff “JT” Trevino
   
4. Eric “ET” Tannenwald
   
5. Ross Abaya
   
6. Derek Cowling
   
7. Glenn Ford
   
8. Gino “G” Carini
   
9. Kurt “Bones” Luoni
   
10. Carlos (Los) Monreal
    
11. Mike “Mikey” Jacobsen
    
12. J Carlos Delgado
    
13. Waylon “Blackjack” Helgeson
14. Kerry Law
15. Curt Hubbell (RIP 01/01/2005)

With base membership solidly in place, the IBR family continued to grow to include the following members:

1. David Mezera
   
2. David Reed
   
3. Darrel Divine
   
4. Ron Wilson
   
5. Noah Martin
   
6. Mike Jennings
   
7. Blake Barrilleaux
   
8. John Roesch
   
9. Chris McQuillan
   
10. Pat Jak
11. Chris Evertsen
    
12. Kam Zardouzian

In 2008, IBR expanded its membership to the following ladies of the sport:

1. Crystal Howard
2. Jenny Eyerman
3. Kelly Finn
4. Florence Debout

IBR Ohana

What makes IBR unique is our family connection. We created this Hui (Club) with the intention that we would be more like a Family or “Ohana”. What we created was a family cycling environment where everyone loved to ride or race but more importantly, wanted to have fun doing it.  We simply believe in sharing the Aloha Spirit each day.  The beauty is that every member has the same fun, laid back attitude on and off the bike. We enjoy giving back to our community and strive to give cycling in San Diego a great reputation.

Our mission is really very simple.  We want to develop some great friendships along with family importance on and off the bike.  We enjoy contributing to charities when we can (The Rady Chrildren’s Hospital) and we just strive to give cycling in San Diego a great reputation.

IBR-isms, Facts & Quotables

• Vince’s mean race face, that boy is angry or is he…..?!
  
• Rob  “clear for me” Coronel
  
• J Carlos and his superman cape….
  
• JT and his downhill skills…
  
• Our ever growing junior squad
  
• Uncle Ger’s huge calves
  
• Arnie’s kindness
  
• DD and the leprechaun, wait a second, I meant MJ and the leprechaun….
  
• ET’s position on his bike….
  
• Blake’s fire marshall Bill impression
  
• Marty and his famous Christopher Walken voice…”hey little man….”
  
• MJ’s off ride antics..
  
• IBR goes to Italy stories…
  
• Giving Hermes a helping hand…..we hope he is doing well.
  
• Kerry’s yummy nutrition bars….

Last but not least, we could never have made it without our sponsors and our families who support IBR because they too love the sport and believe we represent the cycling community well.  It has always been about our relationships with people, and not our race results.  That’s IBR; we brought the Fun back into cycling. 

That’s our story and now it’s my job to lead the Family and continue the IBR story.

Peter Plaisance
IBR President