Cyclists from Sister City Tlalnepantla
May 31st, 2022 – Story: Jason H.
Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de Mexico, Mexico sends their elite team of athletes to share in this year’s Wichita Riverfest, and celebrate 49 years of being a Sister City with Wichita.
Our friends are on their way, riding 2,378 km (1,477 miles). They average 182 km (113 miles) daily to make it here in time for the Riverfest Parade!
Bike Walk Wichita (BWW) partners with the Wichita Area Sister Cities (WASC) committee, Salud + Bienestar, and others to host the cyclists. The cyclist group is scheduled to arrive in Wichita, Thursday, June 2, 2022.
To celebrate 49 years of being a Sister City with Wichita, an eight person cycling team from Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico, is making their 13th annual trek to Wichita arriving June 2, 2022, at City Hall.
A Sister City or twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties. [1]
The concept first started in Europe dating back to the 9th century. Later, the modern concept was first established and adopted worldwide during World War II. The idea emerged as a way of establishing solidarity links between cities in allied countries. [2]
A Sister City, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities. [3]
Two deeply-held convictions unite us in a common purpose. First, is our belief in effective and responsive local government as a principal bulwark of freedom. Second, is our faith in the great promise of people-to-people and Sister City affiliations in helping build the solid structure of world peace.
— President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Regards to the quote above, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1956, keep in mind, that it was not long after WWII and during the Cold War. Hence, some old word usage like “bulwark” — which in the context of his speech alludes to a metaphorical wall to protect and defend freedom.
In 1956, Sister Cities International (SCI) was created at President Eisenhower’s White House summit on citizen diplomacy, which envisioned a network that would champion peace and prosperity by fostering bonds between people from different communities around the world.
A Kansas native, President Eisenhower reasoned that people from different cultures could understand, appreciate, and celebrate their difference while building partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts. Due to its popularity, the SCI became a separate corporation in 1967. [4] [5]
Tlalnepantla and Wichita become Sister Cities
Wichita’s Sister City affiliation with Tlalnepantla, Mexico originated when the Presidente Municopa (Mayor) of Tlalnepantla visited Wichita in the fall of 1973. Two weeks later, the Wichita Board of City Commissioners approved the affiliation on October 16, 1973. In turn, the affiliation was approved by Tlalnepantla on February 3, 1974.
Since the Wichita-Tlalnepantla relationship, the two cities have had many cooperative and reciprocal interactions. From public high school student exchanges to providing host families for the Sister Cities’ visitors. Tlalnepantla has been a beneficiary of ambulances, medical supplies and equipment, and financial aid. [6]
State of Mexico and City of Tlalnepantla
Tlalnepantla, [tlajl-ne-pahnt-lah] is a city in Mexico State, in central Mexico. The city is a suburb just North of Mexico City. Tlalnepantla, is also a part of the municipality Tlalnepantla de Baz. The word Tlalnepantla comes from the Nahuatl words tlalli (land) and nepantla (middle) to mean the middle land. [7]
The city of Tlalnepantla was founded by the Otomi Indians and conquered by the Aztecs: Archaeological remains have been found on the site, and two Aztec pyramids are nearby. Originally, an agricultural and livestock-raising center, Tlalnepantla has become a northwestern industrial suburb of Mexico City. It is an important transportation hub, receiving and serving various railroad lines. [8]
This is the 13th year our Tlalnepantla Sister City cyclists have made this journey and we can’t wait to see them again!
This year’s eight cyclists, ride 13 days to reach Wichita, approximately 182 kilometers (113 miles) daily.
The cyclists are greeted in Mulvane and Bike Walk Wichita rides them into City Hall for an official welcome by the Mayor and residents. This year, we will take K15 to MacArthur, Hydraulic and up McLean or the River Path to City Hall, (we usually have a police escort). Bienvenidos!
Tentative Itinerary
Anyone wanting to volunteer or meet the cyclists, please have a look at the itinerary below,
Thursday, June 2, Arrival of the cyclists from Tlalnepantla in Mulvane. Wichita Area Sister Cities (WASC) and Bike Walk Wichita will escort to Wichita; meet/greet with Mayor Whipple/City Officials and residents at City Hall at 5 pm. See Facebook event.
Friday, June 3, Ride in the Riverfest Sundown Parade. Twilight Pops Concert featuring the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Location: Kennedy Plaza Stage at Century II followed by fireworks.
Saturday, June 4, Meet + Greet in Evergreen 12 pm @ the Evergreen Rec Center – photo opportunity!
Monday, June 6 Utilize the ReCycle Shop for bike repairs, visit to Bicycle X-Change.
Photos of Tlalnepantal Cyclists and ICT friends over the past years
Bibliography
[1] “Town Twinning in Britain since 1945: A Summary of findings”. School of Geography, University of Southampton.
[2] “Coventry Telegraph: What is the point of Coventry’s twin towns?” www.coverntrytelegraph.net. 2 August 2011
[3][4] www.sistercities.org/about-us
[5] “Sister Cities International Fact Sheet” 24 March 2012.
[6] Wichita Area Sister Cities (WASC) www.wichitaareasistercities.net/tlanepantla-mexico
[7] Tlalnepantla de Baz, “Enciclpedia de los Muncipios de Mexico Estado de Mexico Tlalnepantla” 27 September 2007
[8] Tlalnepantla, “Britannica/place/Tlalnepantla” 10 March 2022
— story: Jason H.
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2022
Hello! Our Wichita Area Sister City cyclists are needing funds for the return trip to Tlalnepantla Mexico. As the host city, it only seems right to help them on their return journey.
Our City no longer helps support the official convoy, something Bike Walk Wichita is addressing with Council. Also, the cyclist team had numerous mechanical issues with their support van during the 13 day, 1,600 mile trip to ICT…which used up the $2,000 budget they were provided by their government.
If anyone is interested in helping our friends return home, you can donate through Bike Walk Wichita’s website, Donation Page. Please enter in the comments section, “MEXICO”.
Additionally, our Facebook link: Bike Walk Wichita Facebook – help our Wichita Area Sister City cyclists get safely back to Tlalnepantla!
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2022
Are people from TLALNEPANTLA DE BAZ, cycling to Wichita this year?
Yes, the Tlalnepantla de Baz cyclists are cycling to Wichita this year. In order to raise the amount of money they require for the 1400 mile trip, they have pushed back their departure date to June 23rd, 2023. If all goes well, they should arrive to Wichita on July 6th, 2023.