Each year SORBA and IMBA support our chapters in hosting Take a Kid Mountain Biking in October. The idea behind the event is to get kids and families out on the trails, enjoying the outdoors together. And while each chapter’s event has its own flavor, the theme of more kids on bikes remains the same. Check out some of the great events that were hosted across SORBA-land!
Pisgah Area SORBA
Each year, Pisgah Area SORBA (PAS) and Asheville Parks & Recreation Department team up to celebrate our local trails and provide an environment for families to enjoy riding bikes together. This year, we also partnered with Kids Cycle Club, a local business whose mission is to encourage the growth of cycling with children. This initiative is driven by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day program. PAS and Asheville Parks & Recreation host this event at Richmond Hill Park, a city park that is used for Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Hiking and Disc Golf.
We are ecstatic over the turn out. We estimated 80-100 participants, 10 volunteers, and over 20 bikes serviced. The City of Asheville gave out 50 helmets as part of the safety and awareness campaign and Pisgah Area SORBA showcased all that we do for trails in WNC as well as provided a safety check on bikes as needed. Our very astute volunteer, William (Bill) Valthaus, personally serviced 20-25 bikes to make kids and parents safer out on the trails.
One participant took it upon themselves to send us this testimonial after the event.
“I was so proud of my little man who has only been biking for 2 months and took on BOTH of the bike loops and the trails like a champ!!! I rented a bike for the day from Sycamore Cycles and, due to the success of the day and it having unleashed my lifelong love for trail riding, I went and bought a mountain bike the very next day!”
We are excited to announce that through partnerships, 10 local bike shops, gear producers, and PAS volunteers donated over $2,500 worth of apparel and equipment that was given away at the event. In addition to the support of PAS sponsors, the International Mountain BIke Association (IMBA) supplied snacks, race plates for kids bikes, stickers and more.
Mark your calendars for the first week of October each year for this great event!
Learn More about all Pisgah Area SORBA Events here.
Clinch Valley Trail Alliance
Clinch Valley Trail Alliance hosted a Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day event on October 23rd at the Dirt Lab at Haw Ridge Park in Oak Ridge, TN. Over 20 youngsters joined in the fun that kicked off with a speed contest on the pumptrack and closed with two big groups hitting the trails. Many of the kids and parents didn’t know there were kid-friendly trails within easy access to the Dirt Lab mountain bike skills park. There was a lot of hooting and hollering on the trails letting everyone know a great time was being had by all!
Upper Cumberland SORBA
UCSORBA hosted an event for take a kid mountain biking day! We started the morning with trail work at our current 13 mile project at Meadow Creek Park in Monterey, TN. We wrapped it up just in time for a nice lunch served to all the trail workers compliments of The Outdoor Experience out of Cookeville,TN. After lunch, the kids started rolling in. Caney Fork Cycles shop manager, Thad Hoffman was there with instruction and a skills course followed by a group ride around the completed 3 miles section. Many smiles and requests for another event followed!
Piedmont Fat Tire Society
We had a great turnout for TAKMBD 2022. Before we headed out for our ride we had a raffle to win a $500 credit to out towards a new Prevelo bike. The lucky rider who won is Asher Carey.