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 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!

Early Spring Ride

We have watching and waiting for a while now. The weather app on my phone goes into overdrive about this time of year looking for warm and dry on a weekend. This Saturday was a little of both, meaning time to load up the bikes for the first Spring ride.

This time we picked an old familiar favorite: The Third Creek Greenway, a great one to take for kids and new-to-biking friends. And we had both. The chilly, damp morning was full of landmarks like the tunnel, a couple bridges, and even early spring flowers made the trip a good one for groups that stop and rest often, which we did.

As usual, the boys left us.

Our Beatle's Abbey Road album cover photo

Trilliums about to bloom

I have always heard this being called dogtooth violet, but Google says it is a Trout Lily

Mid-ride lunch at Subway

Two hours and six miles later, we finished where we started. Before heading home we noticed a new bike shop in the shopping complex. Bearden Bike & Trail opened that very morning and we had to see. A very nice store and staff with a real finger on the needs of the people using the greenway. They have racks out front, offer water for riders, and will even have remote repair services soon. If your bike breaks out on the greenway, they will come fix it for you! Cool! Though we were in a bit of hurry that morning, we will spend much more time checking out all the shiny bikes at the end of our next greenway trip.

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!

Thanksgiving Ride

It has become a family tradition: as soon as we are able to move again after stuffing ourselves, we get out for a walk, ride, anything that involves getting off our turkey-filled body moving. After a quick game of soccer at the local park someone suggested we try out the new-ish single track just down the road. A plan was hatched for another day... need to gather bikes for the out of town family members.

Two days later we headed out into the warm afternoon sun, the whole family (except moms)... three generations from 8 year old nephew to 73 year old Popi. A couple miles down the road we took off into Black Oak Trail, the single track that leads to the North Boundary Trails in Oak Ridge. The young ones occasionally had a little trouble with the slick leaves but "grandpa" had no problem. In fact, mentioned that he would have liked to ridden faster.

A quick rest while we throw rocks into the water

The moon above (and in) the quarry lake

One of the many cemeteries along the North Boundary Trails

Because Dad was riding my bike I had to pull out my old GT Timberline. I have not ridden a rigid off road before and was really surprised. With all the talk on the mountain bike forums of "not even bothering riding a sub-$1000 bike" I was amazed how much fun it was. There was this simple, connected-to-the-world feeling. In fact, I was able to do trails that might have been more difficult with the crummy fork on my Fuji. Sure, the ride was rough, the bike heavy, and trails not difficult... but fun is fun. I am going to be using this bike more and more in the future. And with all the high dollar carbon fiber and titanium machines on the trails around here, there is something cool about seeing some vintage steel out there!

1989 GT Timberline

Weekend Ride

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

Two Bikes Forward, One Bike Back

There are many milestones for families with kids that just make like simpler: not having to bring diapers, not having to bring "baby" food, the Saturday morning that the kid will let you sleep late (make their own breakfast), or no car seat. But one that I have be actively working toward lately is no more training wheels.

My son took to two wheels very quickly and have never looked back. My daughter, on the other hand, has been more of a challenge. This spring all the neighborhood kids started meeting in the street riding and playing. The training wheels on her Princess bike were clearly slowing her down. They were even causing her to crash every now and then. But being out with the "big kids" was worth it the risk.


About this time my son and I started riding much more, at least three times a week. I really wanted to include the whole family with this hobby. So, I picked up an Adams Trail-A-Bike and plopped her on. The first trip or two through the neighborhood was white knuckled for her but she quickly got used to leaning into turns rather than out like she would do on her bike. It quickly became a game - she would slalom us down the road simply by swapping her weight from side to side. Big fun as long as she didn't surprise me when I wasn't expecting her to do it.

But knowing how riding was SUPPOSED to feel riding quickly made the Princess bike obsolete.

We practiced a few minutes every night throughout summer on "The Green Bike" (a side-of-the-road found bike with cranks removed). As long ask she believed I had ahold of the seat she would ride up and down the street. But the second she found out that I was not actually holding her up, she would skid to a stop and hop off.

About half way through the summer I found a really neat (and her favorite color - purple) Trek at the local Goodwill. After a new set of tires, a seat, and a cute basket, she had a new bike that she really loved. I would bring it out in the driveway each night along with the Green Bike and her old Princess bike for her to pick her ride du Jour.

One day I looked out and she had jumped onto the Trek and pedaled down the driveway! She had cruised past a milestone! Wobbly but past it. By Christmas she was doing great!

Our next milestone was getting her able to do more than just ride in front of the house and join in on real trips. Of course Santa agreed she needed gears and hand brakes, and delivered a neat chrome Pacific with purple and pink accents. A little cleaning and lubing and it looked brand new. (Yes, a cheap-o brand but as an avid Craigslist fanatic, I know there are tons of girls bikes there for a reason... girls just don't stick with riding. If she ends up loving to ride like her father and brother, only then will I spring for a better bike.)

You might remember the title of this story is "Two Bikes Forward, One Bike Back". Tonight she announced (after a month) of riding her Pacific she liked her purple bike better. She stated she felt the new bike is just too complicated. Seven gears, two hand brakes, the taller fit, all take her out of her comfort zone. She just wants to ride, not think about "stuff."

Yes, a little disappointing that we lost a milestone but then again, biking is supposed to be fun before anything. Thanks Beena for reminding me of this. We will give it another try this spring.

Weekend Ride with the Boys

The boys of the family headed out for an afternoon ride this weekend in Oak Ridge.

Down the Turnpike to North Boundary trails, we rode to the quarry, skipped rocks for a while, then headed to the other side where we, you guessed it, skipped more rocks.
Along the trip we saw much wildlife. A couple frogs, a deer family, a tiny snake, this huge spider flushed out by our flat-rock hunting:

In the bright green water we spotted this shark-like fish. We believe he is a sauger. He did not seem at all afraid of us:

On the road around the quarry, there were two to three well maintained family graveyards back in the woods. This wrought iron fence in Grave Site 62 (Silvey family - pdf) had obviously been here a while.

After the roughly nine miles, we stopped into the local convenience store for a much deserved Icee. 

This ride has become a family favorite. The hills are not too steep. There are sights every few minutes, and the quarry is entertaining to the boys. It is amazing how long they (we) will throw rocks in.

"Swiss Army" Bike - Dahon Tailwind Bicycle

I was recently given a bike in exchange for cleaning up my sister-in-law's bike. It was the strangest looking thing... almost ugly. But hey, it was free.

After I got it home I immediately hit the internet to do a little research about it. Turns out this Dahon Tailwind is a very famous (and surprisingly expensive) brand of bike. Its strange shape and size is a clever design that allows it to be folded in half with handlebars out of the way creating a compact package. This makes it an ideal bike for city-living or for people doing travels with limited trunk space.

Well in our house there are two constants for new bikes that come in: my son wants to try EVERY one (whether or not it fits) and he wants to keep each and every one. I thought this would be one bike that he would make an exception for because it is so... homely. It is the polar opposite to his other bike: a racy Specialized mountain bike with shiny loud modern paint, large wheels, a suspension fork, and many gears.

But I forgot one thing...as in the "Be Careful What You Wish For" thread, he loves gadgets, especially multi-function tools. And of course he did it to me again. He loves the thing! A bike that can fit into a suitcase and then be "Swiss Army Knifed" out into a fully functioning bike. I should have known.

I know, I know... wearing flip flops and no helmet. Yes, he heard about it from his dad.

Be Careful What You Wish For

My son has always been a gadget guy. But surprisingly in a world of electronic do-dads, his favorites are old-school items with lots of function squeezed into small packages. He loves backpacks with pockets, boxes with compartments, but his favorites are tools that do many things. A Swiss Army knife is the ultimate.

Recently we found a rear bike rack in the back of our bedroom closet (a Christmas present to me that never made it under the tree). "Please, please please! I want it for my bike!" His favorite outdoor toy was now a gadget when it included a rack.

After riding around the back yard a few afternoons with all his toys bungied on, I suggested we use the carrier for what it was designed... carrying stuff. We headed out to the local pizza joint. A half hour later we headed home with two larges strapped to his rack. The added weight made the bike feel very different, a concept he never thought about. Needless to say, a little more grumbling was heard toward the end of the trip.

A few weeks later the topic of getting pizza again via bicycle-delivery-boy came up again.

"Daddy, I think you need a rack for your bike too!"