Saturday, October 31, 2015

Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day 2015 - Wood Property Knoxville

Take A Kid Mountain Biking Knoxville TN

It was the fifth year that we attended the Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day - one of our must-attend bike events of the year. But this year's get together was unique in many ways. Originally scheduled for October 3, torrential rains pounded the trails for almost a week before. This meant the event that was usually the "first weekend in October" had to be moved two weeks later.

Wood Property Mountain Biking Trails Knoxville TN
Also new for 2015 was the venue. Usually held at the awesome (but kid challenging) Meads Quarry trails, this year's TAKMB rides were held on the glass-smooth Wood Property beginner trails. Part of a soon-to-be-built park using the $100k Bell Helmets grant prize, the beginner trail was designed for exactly this level of rider. The confidence inspiring 1.5 mile trail is almost completely root and rock free, the corners are wide, the hills short and mild - think greenway "paved" with dirt. And if the "over the river and through the woods" turns out to not be your kid's thing, the parking lot is flanked by a neat little pump track. It's really neat to see adults and fun-sized kids on Strider bikes oscillating around the humps.
(note: the trails at Wood Property have not officially opened yet so you will need to wait until Spring 2016 to try it out.)

Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day 2015
The third new aspect for this year was the appearance of my 10 year old daughter. My son has attended for the past four consecutive years, but my girl never has. To be honest, I am not sure how I convinced her but she agreed to try. It was her first attempt at "mountain biking" and she loved it! After her first loop, she suggested going again for a second time. She even gave the pump track a try (though never really felt comfortable on the banked corners.)

If your child ever has the desire to try riding dirt, then this is the perfect event in the perfect location. There are many kids at every age and skill level. And with all the swag like t-shirts and water bottles that IMBA, AMBC, and Bike Zoo hand out, even if they don't get the hang of off-roading, they will have plenty to take home to impress their friends.

As aways we can't thank The Bike ZooAppalachian Mountain Bike Club and IMBA enough for their constant support. Anybody that inspires more and more kids to love this sport, is alright with me!

See more photos on the TAKMB Facebook event page.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Craigslist Craziness (#4)

The interesting thing about this bike (other than the astronomical price) is fact that the owner wanted that monster basket more than he wanted to stop. In order to get it to fit - he moved the brake levers to the BACK of the handlebars.

Good thing there is plenty of room on that seat for your poop-filled bike shorts when you realize you aren't stopping at that first intersection.

p.s.
Oh, and if you are observant, you might notice the new name for these things. I though this section would be better titled "Craigslist Craziness"