Youth Initiative | Progression Sessions

Why we ride!

There's nothing quite like the joy that comes from riding a bike. Whether it be on pavement, through dirt, or over rocks. Hopping on a bike is one of life's simple pleasures. Bikes are a way to get around town, to relax, to have adventures, and to stay happy and healthy. - peopleforbikes.org

Simply put, we believe that life is far more enjoyable when it's experienced on two wheels. We believe that by coming together, we can make our world a better place to ride.

Bicycling is for everyone
- Bicycling is the second most popular outdoor activity in the United States.

Bicycling can help you live longer and better.
- Adolescents who bicycle are 48% less likely to be overweight as adults.
- For every 15-minute increase in daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a 12-year-old has, they have a 10% reduction in fat mass at age 14.
- The average U.S. child eats 165 calories more than they burn per day.

It's time to get kids riding. In just one U.S. generation:
- The percentage of kids who walk or bike to school has dropped from 50% to 15%.
- Childhood obesity has tripled.

When People Ride Bikes, Good Things Happen

NE Ohio High School Mountain Bike League

In an effort to reach out to families and encourage cycling as an active lifestyle for all ages, we have formed a youth cycling commission. We are preparing a bid to enter the National High School Mountain Bike League in 2013 or 2014, being the 7th state to join other progressive activists in California, Colorado, Michigan and others. Races provide student athletes an arena in which to set and accomplish competitive goals and to achieve their personal best. We are shooting to have a 3-6 race schedule for the fall of 2013 or 2014.

To introduce the regions youth to the skills required for trail riding and racing, we are providing youth mountain bike clinics at Reagan Park in Medina every Wednesday night at 6:30. Combining experienced instructors with family participation, our efforts have been a huge success.

331 Progression Sessions

FUN
Join us every Wednesday starting in June we have free weekly youth clinics where we'll work on a few skills, tricks and techniques and then head out on the trail to put the skills to use. The clinic is designed for ages 15 and under and will be broken down by age and/or skill level. Parents may drop off your son/daughter at the clinic and let the instructors teach or you may join in on the fun. Feel free to leave your child and go ride with the adults while the instructors teach your children the skills and rules of the trail. We found when we head out onto the trail, the kids actually listen a little better to the instructors when their parents are not present. We've seen fast improvements in all skills over the first 5 weeks of the program.

We work on safety, trail awareness, the power stroke, balance, track stands, wheelies, overcoming and riding obstacles and more.

Games - bike limbo contest | last person riding | slowest race competition| skills course

We break the trail ride into portions of the trail suitable for the technical skill level of the children. We start with level, easy single-track and slowly proceed to trails with different trail features as the individual skill levels progress.

5:45-6:00 check-in and registration
6:00-6:20 on bike instruction
6:20-7:10 trail ride
7:15 awards/prizes/farewell

SPECIAL EVENT | IMBA's TAKE A KID MT BIKING DAY

SPECIALIZED | EDDY'S BIKE SHOP | PROGRESSION SESSIONS | 331 RACING are proud to support IMBA's take a kid mountain biking day.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 8 at 4:00. Reagan Park in Medina provides the perfect setting for your kids to have a blast on bicycles!

Lots of goodies like Specialized t-shirts, Clif Bars and waterbottles for youth participants!

This event focuses on youth riders, and we'll work on a few skills and then head out on the trail to put the skills to use. The rides will be broken down by age and/or skill level.

We work on safety, trail awareness, the power stroke, balance, track stands, wheelies, overcoming and riding obstacles and more.

Games - bike limbo contest | last person riding | slowest race competition | skills course

We break the trail ride into portions of the trail suitable for the technical skill level of the children. We start with level, easy single-track and slowly proceed to trails with different trail features as the individual skill levels progress.

Location and time: Clinic and ride is usually slightly longer then 1 hour when we regroup back at the clinic field. Please bring your mountain bike, helmet and water bottle.

Where: Reagan Park, Medina (meet at the back entrance of the park using E. Reagan Parkway, entrance is just past the Northrop Elementary School) Parking is available in front of the maintenance garage.


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