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Boston NEMBA's Event at Great Brook Farm
Here
are a few pictures of the event held at Great
Brook Farm State Park, attended by 55 kids and over
a hundred parents and volunteers. The kids rode single
and doubletrack through 9 skills station where they learned
to ride over (and under) obstacles, read maps, negociate
sharp turns, brake without skidding, trackstanding, and
be friendly to other trail users. Our thanks to
the Department
of Recreation and Conservation Division of Forests and
Parks for allowing the kids to enjoy such a great
outdoors event.
The
kids were psyched to return from the course with their
score card and get tons of free schwag... as well as some
burgers and dogs, hot off the grille!
Lionel and Presley Chapman show that mountain biking is
a great family sport.
Presley
rides the teeter todder. Kids have no fear!
There
were a fair number of equestrians sharing the trails with
us. Hard to say who was more curious--the horses
or the kids!
NEMBA's
president teaches the kids how to read a map. "So,
where do you think you are???"
Lots
of the kids hadn't ever really ridden in groups of other
kids, and they were stoked to show off their bike handling!
Our
thanks to Decathlon for providing neutral support!
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Ryan
shows off some great style and panache.
The
skills stations taught the kids how to ride with finesse
and control.
Trails
offer the opportunity for kids to get some great exersize
in a safe and healthy environment.
Patrick
was fearless....even after endo'ing this ramp!
Ah,
to be a kid again.... and cycling. Suspension forks, crisp
shifting, there's no reason not to bring your whole family
out on the trails for some quality time!
We
thank the scores of volunteers (and Ray Faucher, the supervisor
of Great Brook Farm State Park) for making it possible
for all these kids to get outside, enjoy some fresh air
and get a bit of exercise!
Photos
by Philip Keyes |
CT
NEMBA's Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day at the West Hartford
Reservoir
CT NEMBA hosted 15 teenagers from the Recycle Bicycle
Clinic in New Britain, CT. These are kids work
in the clinic bike repair shop earning credits toward
the purchase of a new bike. The intent of the program
is to teach bike repair skills, instill proper work
habits, and improve social interactions, and provide
working bikes to a homeless shelter to help the residents
get to work and group meetings. CT NEMBA borrowed
15 mountain bikes and helmets for the kids, and together
with two New Britain bike policemen, guide the group
around The Res on a 6-mile ride. Afterwards everyone
chowed down on pizza and soda, and some even went for
another ride!. We hearty thanks to the MDC www.themdc.com
for letting us use their trails as a group for
the day.
Getting ready to lead the herd out.
Post ride pizza and "war stories".
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RBC riders choosing bikes and waiting
patiently for CT NEMBA to get its act together
Photos
by Don Myers
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