UH Law School's 'Richardson Riders' in this weekend's cycling challenge

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Beverly Creamer, (808) 389-5736
Media Consultant, William S. Richardson School of Law
Posted: Sep 23, 2015

Some of the ‘Richardson Riders’ at Sandy Beach.
Some of the ‘Richardson Riders’ at Sandy Beach.

About a dozen UH Law School graduates, current students and faculty members will join thousands of cycling enthusiasts this weekend for the annual “Honolulu Century Bike Ride."  Dubbed the ”Richardson Riders,” the avid bicyclists from the William S. Richardson School of Law are fielding three teams for the Sunday ride, with the most experienced riders aiming to finish the full 100 miles, and the others setting their sights on 25- and 50-mile rides.

“The 100-milers are the ‘Zealous Advocates,’” chuckles Law Professor Mark Levin, one of the group leaders. “The 50-milers are the ‘Easements of Passage’ and the 25-milers are the ‘Avoiders of Undue Hardship.’”

The sport brings diverse members of the Law School community together not just for a day of fun, but also as a way to connect across some of the common dividing lines.

“Having fun is 98 percent of it,” adds Levin. “But for the students, there’s also the networking with graduates who are already working. The other huge plus is that students are meeting other students across the boundary of class years.”

Graduate David Robyak ’14, an enthusiastic team member and co-organizer with Levin, says he’s going to attempt 100 miles, though it could take him more than seven hours. Robyak, now with the law firm Turbin Chu Heidt, has been training three to four times weekly, with some of his training rides as long as 60 miles. Team member Andrew Strand ’14, a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, often joins him.

“If you’re really interested in cycling there are a couple of moments when you get more serious,” Robyak explains. “One is when you get the shoes with the cleats that snap into the pedals. But the first time that you’re wearing them you tend to forget, and when you come to a stop you have this moment of panic and slowly fall over.”

The Richardson Riders are just one of the multiple ways in which the Law School community gets together outside the classroom in sports activities and competitions that create friendships, but also maintain mental and physical fitness.

Each November the traditional flag football game known as the Ete Bowl pits current women students against female alumni who are now practicing attorneys, judges and office holders. Additionally, on Sunday, Law Professor Linda Krieger will be paddling in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Race from Hale O Lono Harbor on Moloka‘i to the Hilton Pier in Waikīkī. And, in early December, Ramona Hussey, Assistant Director of the Evening Part-Time Program, will again organize a Wellness Fair that offers a day of enjoyable activities as stress relief for students just before they go into final  exams.

“We treasure our out-of-class activities,” says Law Dean Avi Soifer. “The great extent of having fun together and looking out for one another is one of the unique things about Richardson Law. We actually enjoy each other’s company.”

For more information, visit: https://www.law.hawaii.edu/