Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day 2013

Saturday October 5 was also a perfect day for Mountain Biking, warm and sunny. But that was not the major reason. It was one of those days we wait for a year for: Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.

Many of the ten+ kids that were there regulars to the event. We had seen some at this event four years in a row. There was a lot more girls this year... and they of course did great! I ended up riding with them at times and it was neat how they encouraged each other across obstacles.

A huge thanks to The Bike Zoo and IMBA again for putting on the event. We are already counting the days until the next!

Warm Winter Weekend Ride

This winter has had its share of temperature extremes. The typical winter weather for here in East Tennessee is either bitter cold or rainy. But this weekend we had record high temps with breaks between the rain clouds... on a Saturday! Of course, we were not going to waste it on the couch!

Again, we boys headed out on another Greenway that we had not tried. This time we chose the Third Creek Greenway. The thought was to start in Bearden and go until the young ones started looking tired. The hope was to at least make it to Knoxville Skateboard Park before heading back.

The "trailhead" started in the parking lot of Earth Fare in Bearden. Technically, the trail runs beside the parking lot so there is no real entrance, but we figured it out. We headed out with the many runners, walkers, and bikers taking advantage of the awesome weather.

Eventually we arrived at our target goal: the skatepark. Most people are surprised that such a nice facility is tucked under the interstate. Surprisingly, the kids were up for more riding. The goal changed to simply getting to the river. Still, they wanted more. The carp under Calhoun's was our next landmark. Yes, we made it but the kids were starting to grumble a little. They had just done 7.1 miles one way!

Nearing the basketball stadium at UT

One of the many tunnels along the way

Gay Street bridge being repaired

The great thing about this Greenway is that the scenery is so varied that one never knows how far one has ridden, especially for a first-timer. And if you stop often for short rests, the kids will get a second (and third and fourth) wind. Bridges criss-cross many creeks, there is a playground at Safety City, another playground at Tyson Park, a couple tunnels, the gardens at UT's Ag Campus, the mighty Tennessee river, going by both stadiums at UT, and of course the fish under the Calhoun's restaurant. There were hills but they did a good job of designing them to be bike-friendly.

This a great trip for kids. We did the 14.2 miles in 2.5 hours and that includes the many stops along the way. This have become a new family favorite!

Weekend Ride

Biking and flower picking... a wonderfully relaxing ride with the kids!

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!

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

This past Saturday was the IMBA's "Take a Kid Mountain Biking" day. It started as a chilly morning with the kids and dads (mostly) ready for a fun ride in the woods. Sadly, I was the only one from our family on this trip... my son ironically went over the handlebars a few days earlier and broke his arm. But he was there in spirit and Cubmaster John was there to "guide" the boys to receiving their Biking Belt Loop.

The new trails, recently built by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club at Mead's Quarry, were challenging to a few including one little girl on training wheels (with much help from a very ambitious dad). I hesitate calling the trails awesome. Wasn't it the band The Eagles that said "call it paradise and kiss it goodbye"? But they really did build some awesome trails!

A few miles down the smooth rolling singletracks we all took a break at one of the two quarries. The boys explored the caves, climbed rock faces, and had dads a little nervous at times.

Then back onto the rollercoaster headed for the trailhead.

Thank you AMBC, IMBA, and The Bike Zoo for putting on this great ride. Let's think about another in the spring, not just fall.