NEMBA Sponsors Take a Kid Mt Biking Day

After a full morning of coaching my kindergarten son Luca’s soccer team (well its more like hurding them to kick the ball) and watching my daughter’s team continue their undefeated streak, the three of us headed over to the Middlesex Fells for their FREE New England Mountain Bike Association’s (NEMBA) Take A Kid Mt Biking Day. As an avid mountain biker myself, I was extremely motivated to quickly change from soccer gear to biking gear even if it meant luring them with over priced popsicles from the ice cream truck

This was a much anticipated event for my son Luca who learned to ride a two-wheeler in early September and has made huge progress riding daily with me to his school. On Friday afternoon he led the way down the bike path and took as many off road detours as possible, calling it mountain biking so he was totally into the idea of a Mountain Biking Day for kids.

Weather wise it was a glorious day. Crisp fall air and just enough color to realize there are still of lots of great and glowing riding days ahead. Judging from the line of cars along the Fellsway, the event was certainly popular. In fact we arrived at Sheepsfold to find a nice group of kids and their families crowded around a few sponsor booths including the popular Redbones food booth. Here my nine-year old daughter Valentina quickly devoured two pulled pork sandwiches. Luca could not wait to get going and kept threatening to leave on his own even though he did not have a clue where to go.

They got their numbers and we embarked on the 10 station, hour-long skill course that was the perfect introduction to Mt. biking for kids. Each station had a friendly and patient NEMBA volunteer to teach and coach the kids through the skills and reward them with the precious rubber stamp. The first skill: The mountain bike standing stance. My kids do this naturally so thinking about it made it strange as does anytime we learn new bike skills. We then pedaled down along the side of the Sheepfold meadow and cruised through enough puddles to get them nicely muddy and super excited. Station #2 was the wheelie station. We all tried unsuccessfully to lift our front wheel as nimbly as our fearless teenage NEMBA coach. I quickly moved them onto the next station knowing that my kids will get it eventually and I need not be shamed into continually trying. Station #3 log jumping. Even though there were logs of all sizes, Luca starts to “freak” out; fear and sadness set in as he realizes that real Mt biking might be above his head. Then Valentina and Luca ride too close and have a small crash further threatening their confidence. Valentina smacks her leg, gets a nice scrape and has a mini meltdown: “Why did you have to take us mountain biking anyway, we are always biking!” I now knew I had to tread very carefully and compassionately.

There were enough hills in the next section to make it pretty challenging for Luca on his one gear bike and new cycling legs. Although I tried to tell him that walking was a part of Mt Biking, he scoffed, proudly persevered but then had a meltdown as we approached a good-sized hill filled with roots and rocks. I looked into his red, crying defeated face and waterlogged eyes and wondered (as I had so many times at so many meltdowns) would he (we) make it? Of course the “this too shall pass” approach always works and yes the meltdown passed in (almost clockwork) ten minutes. As hard as it always is, parental patience always pays off. I suggest we lay down and rest in a nice big bed of beautiful, thick moss and look up at the sunshine beaming through the arching trees; I mean why not? There is absolutely no hurry and I try to love this moment of growth safely surrounded by the woods, the moss, the colors and my sweet little boy who is trying his best. He calms down, hears his sister say “Come onnnn Luca ” and as the song goes he: took a deep breath, picked himself up, dusted himself off and started all over again. Me too.

Station #3. The Downhill. Luca and Valentina stay loose and have fun on this station although it is touch and go over a couple of boulders. I grimace and hold my breath. Station #4. The uphill. I give the instructor heads up that Luca can’t do it on his one-speed so the lean, muscle-bound grinning biker offers to give him a “chair lift” up the hill which Luca gladly accepts and it helps get his spirit back into the game. Valentina almost makes it all the way. Having ridden two miles back and forth to school every day she is getting very strong. I am proud! Station #5: Puddles! My kids were excited to hit this seemingly super fun station. Unfortunately Luca didn’t get going fast enough and only makes it half way through the long and very cold puddle. With both sneakers emerged in the deep puddle. He stands there crying ” I can’t.” A 2nd meltdown begins. I step into the puddle and rescue him. He tries it again with a bit more speed and going around the outside, more shallow part. He makes it and gets that priceless proud smile and glow in his watery eyes. We all cheer, clap and scream. I give the instructors a thumbs up and breathe my second sigh of relief. A relaxing downhill follows. He takes note that downhills follow uphills. I take the opportunity to tell him that life rolls up and down similarly (knowing that it entered his subconsciousness only to hopefully reemerge when he repeats a similar scene with his kids someday).

Station #6. Limbo. OK this is my favorite. We had to ride under a limbo bar and I got to show off my buttocks-off-the seat technique to get low and under the bar. Luca and Valentina made it easily. We repeated it a couple of times then were off to finish the last four stations. More than half way through, three meltdowns completed , the back half of the course was the payoff: smiling, confident kids who took a few risks, stretched themselves, had some fun and ready to put it all together for a grand finale finish.

Station #7. Crazy Rocks. Luckily there were only a few small rocks downhill to maneuver so they made it easily and were off to Station #8. Slalom. They wove easily though the cones and pedaled off through the purple wildflowers to Station #9. Whoop-dee-doo. The kids seemed to really love this one: a couple of sand dunes up and downs. Both Valentina and Luca repeated this several times. The final station was #10 Balancing Beam. A few wooden planks that got more narrow. My daughter made it perfectly. Luca made it about half way but was ready to spin down the last hill to the finish. They picked up their goodie bags, enjoyed the various sponsor tables and awaited the raffle. They both won great prizes. Valentina won a pair of biking gloves, Luca a Landry’s $25 gift certificate. It was a truly glorious day. Helmets off to NEMBA and all of their wonderful, outgoing and super helpful volunteer. You certainly made a difference in my kids lives and from all the smiles and exuberant kids I saw, I am sure there were many more proud stories told around the dinner table that evening. See you next year!

Minute Man Bikeway Celebration this weekend!

Greetings

I hope you can join our family and Ciclismo team members for the Minuteman Bikeway Celebration this weekend.

http://www.minutemanbikeway.org/Pages/celebration_oct2008.html

In the 13 years that I have lived in Arlington I estimate that I have ridden over 65,000 miles on this delightful linear park. I have witnessed the subtleties of the changing seasons along its varied landscape. I have waddled pregnant, pushed strollers, pulled burleys and taught my kids to bike over its family friendly lanes. I have coached boy scouts, brownies and Ciclismo riders to be better cyclists along its perfect beginner terrain. It has been the destination for many a picnic and school outing. It has been my meditation path and conversation byway with many a passionate cyclist. It is my urban escape route, my peaceful lifeline to the rural NE roads beyond Bedford.

We are blessed to have such a wonderful resource in our backyard. Come CELEBRATE THE MINUTEMAN. Meet its founders and envision its future!

Sunday, October 5, 2008
12:00–4:00pm

Join us in celebrating the Minuteman Bikeway’s induction into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, with special events and activities along the bikeway on Sunday, October 5.

This year, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy named the Minuteman Bikeway as the fifth inductee to the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. Built 15 years ago, the Minuteman Bikeway remains one of the most popular rail-trails in America; it is also a significant urban greenway, abutting public parks and conservations lands.

To celebrate this exciting occasion, the communities of Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford are sponsoring a day-long celebration along the Minuteman Bikeway, with official ceremonies, guest speakers, and special events planned on Sunday, October 5:

* Alewife/Cambridge: 12:00pm, Minuteman Bikeway entry across from Alewife Station.
* Arlington: 1:30pm, Jefferson Cutter House, Arlington Center, park area at corner of Mass Ave and Route 60.
* Lexington: 2:30pm, Lexington Visitor Center, on bike way near Meriam St.
* Bedford: 3:30pm, Bedford Depot Park, Minuteman Bikeway entry area at South Street.

EXTRA EXTRA: Did you know that one of Ciclismo Classico’s VIP alumni, Tom Fortmann of Lexington, is one of the Minuteman’s founders and most devoted advocates?

Lauren