Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day 2015 - Wood Property Knoxville

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.

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.)

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 Zoo, Appalachian 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.

Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day 2014 - Meads Quarry

The talk at past Take A Kid Mountain Biking days was either the weather or bugs. Before this year's event it was no different. In the past few years it had been warm and sunny. But the week leading up to the big event it had rained for almost every day. And though the rain stopped the day before so did the warm temps. Saturday morning started in the lower 40s. No bug spray this year but we did need heavier clothing.

Even though this year had more kids, the difference in age was not that great - most 3rd to 6th grade. This meant we did not need to split up. The more aggressive ones did leave the less confident behind to the first quarry at the end of Flow. 

After a quick trip into the Ross Marble Quarry and some small-talk (most about how amazed everyone was at how much work the AMBC had done to the trail), we all decided it was best to head back to the parking lot - some by the gravel road, the rest by Flow. 

After getting a few snacks and awesome Specialized swag some headed out, others headed back into the trails. But both had a great time again this year. As aways a huge thank you needs to go out to The Bike Zoo, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and IMBA.

More photos can be found on The Bike Zoo's Facebook page.

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!

Take a Kid Mountain Biking - Spring Edition!

It finally happened! A spring Take a Kid Mountain Biking event! It has been the talk of the parents after every one. "We really need to go this again soon" but until recently it has only been talk.

I have always been saddened by the lack of biking activities for kids. And every (adult) event I politely (hopefully) express my concerns to the coordinator. But this year I decided rather than being a complainer, I would be a fixer. So I emailed the Bike Month coordinator asking if she knew of another dad that I might contact to partner up with to do a bike rodeo. She didn't. Not feeling confident that I could handle bunch of kids by myself I suggested we wait until next year while I found willing parents to help out.

But while talking, I remembered my talks with The Bike Zoo at the previous Take a Kid's. After a few quick emails, Steve agreed to host it.

So, it you have not been able to attend in the fall or haven't heard about it, this year's Spring TAKMB will be May 18, 2013 at 9:00. Meads Quarry (near Ijams in South Knoxville) is again the location because it is so user/kid-friendly. It will be tons of wild, dirty fun! And again, thank you The Bike Zoo for stepping up.

Took A Kid Mountain Biking Day

Another "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" has come and gone. And as always, it was a blast. The number of kids and their ages were much more varied than past years. There were tiny boys on strider bikes all the way up to junior high daredevils, and all ages in between. Because there were enough at each level, we were able to split up according to skill level and challenge them all.

It had rained the night before so the trails were very slick. The wood on the first bridge was like ice and three of the five in our group lost it, myself included. A few scratches and mud soaked clothes were the only evidence of our "unplanned trip." We continued to areas of The Dirty South that I had not ridden before. Between the slick conditions and the unfamiliar trails, our leader really upped our skill level that morning.

At the end of the ride we all met up in the parking lot to compare bruises, eat a few snacks, and take photos. Everyone was treated to a free Specialized water bottle and t-shirt (really neat design!) There was talk of an unofficial "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" in the spring. There were even discussions of starting a Knoxville-area kids' Mountain Bike team/club (I will be the first to post details here when we organized.)

Again, a huge thank you to The Bike Zoo, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and IMBA.

Note for next year... don't forget bug spray!

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.