Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day

at the Middlesex Fells Reservation 2008

On Saturday, October 4th, the Boston area celebrated national Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day with a grand event co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Greater Boston Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (GBNEMBA), and the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). It was a huge success. Approximately 125 children, ranging in age from 4 to 17, brought their parents and adult chaperones to this free event in the Middlesex Fells Reservation to learn to ride off-road and improve their bike riding skills. Kids riding tricycles to bikes with training wheels to BMX bikes to full-blown mountain bikes donned helmets and mounted their wheeled steeds for the perfect autumn day. In all, nearly 300 people participated including children, parents, and 43 volunteers from 24 different towns and cities.

The primary purpose of this event was to encourage kids and parents to use the state's public lands for recreation and exercise. With childhood obesity rampant in the US, the organizers hope to promote cycling off-road as a way to stay healthy for a lifetime. Other goals of the event were to promote respect for the parklands and their regulations, as well as respect for fellow trail users. A serendipitous outcome was that many parents themselves were first introduced to the benefits of this sport and gained confidence in their own off-road skills. They also  learned how to instruct their kids to ride safely and reinforce the lessons of care and respect for the park and for other trail users. Many parents commented how they were unaware of the beauty of the Middlesex Fells and envisioned riding in the park together as a family.

For Additional Photos, visit:

Singlespeed Photography and EPHG Photography

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