Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day... Coming Soon!

I don't know why Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day excites me so much but it does. Maybe it is the chance to see old friends and their rapidly growing children. Maybe it is the opportunity to share this neat sport with the next generation. Maybe it is the feeling I get out acting like a kid on trails. Maybe all the above.

So when the chill of Fall was in the air I knew it was close to time for this wonderful event. But I could not find any info about it online. I emailed the contact I had from last year and in a day I received my answer: October 6, 2012!

If you happen to run across this blog, consider joining us for this year's Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. It will be held at Meads Quarry near Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville starting at about 9am. Bring your bikes, helmets, and excited kids!

If you have not been to Meads Quarry (pdf map) riding before it would be good have a little info so you can decide if you kids are up to the challenge. Starting from the parking lot there are three main rideable areas: the gravel road down the middle, the trails that lead to more trails, and the greenway across the street. "Flow", as the trail is named, is a smooth single-track that is mostly uphill going in toward one of the quarries. It has some short (but steep) climbs and a couple wooden paths that are (guessing) two feet wide.

A bike with gears, rather than a single speed BMX-style, would be pretty much mandatory on these trails. Our friend's athletic first grade boy found the trail just past his skill level especially going in. Many of the second grade boys were able to make it in but did have to hop off often to get over some hills. Third grade and up found it hard but fun, especially the downhill ride out. 

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day 2011
Last year started from a tent in the parking lot complete with snacks, small prizes, and drinks. Roughly twelve kids, mostly boys, arrived ready to ride. Some young enough that they seemed barely off training wheels, all the way up to older ones with purpose-build mountain bikes. Each kid decked out his bike with a racing number, received a quick safety inspection, then lined up for a group photo before heading out into the woods.

As we started out it was clear that a few the younger ones were going to have trouble. The first part of the trail has some steep sections that require geared bikes and pilots that know how to at least put the bike in a usable gear. If a kid just didn't have the skills or equipment, we knew it before getting too far from the parking area. Most of those very young kids opted for the tamer gravel road meeting up with everyone at the end of the first trail (the entrance to one of the two quarries.) Twenty minutes later we had arrived at the quarry, perfect time for a rest. It was great fun climbing down into the massive pit and playing among the lego-like blocks all round.

After corralling all the riders back to their steeds, we headed back to the main parking lot. Though the return trip was the same route it was surprising how much faster it went... it did not seem like trail was that much of a climb going in (great trail building).

Everyone was treated to snacks and even received a Specialized water bottle. Some chose to head back into the trails, others headed home, while others chose to explore the other attractions like the lake and hiking paths.

I suspect this year will be similar with a few exceptions:
1. Hopefully there will be many more kids. I have sent out a press release to the local Cub Scout district. Boys can actually receive awards for attending this kind of event.
2. My son will be there. Last year, ironically he had to miss due to a bike accident!

Thank you in advance Bike Zoo, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, and others putting on this wonderful event!