Start'em Young - Park City's Young Riders
By Tom Noaker and Linda Karz
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Race Day! Utah Summer Games - Monique Beeley |
Formed in 1992 and based in Park City, Young Riders is one of few organizations in the country dedicated to the promotion of the sport of mountain biking to young people. With humble beginnings as a summer program for kids, the organization has since developed into model for junior athletic development.
Today, the Young Riders Organization is a non-profit organization that offers a full range of programs providing youth ages 8 to 18 with the opportunity to develop the skills and fitness they need to enjoy the sport of mountain biking, now and for a lifetime. Whether a child is interested in cycling as a hobby or competing at the highest level, Young Riders enables them to achieve their goal.
In addition to the sport specific aspects of the program, Young Riders strive to develop the qualities that can be learned from sports in general. These include healthy lifestyle choices, goal setting, teamwork and dedication. Through sponsorship agreements with bicycle industry companies, Young Riders also teach team members the professional side of cycling and the value of sponsorships.
The Young Riders organization is divided into three programs, the Recreational, the Learn to Race and the Race Team.
· The Recreational program is open to girls and boys ages 8-13 and operates primarily during the summer months. The goal is to create a life long propensity toward a healthy lifestyle in a fun and supportive environment while learning the skills to be a successful rider. Recreation program enrollment exceeded 50 kids participating in over 240 rides during the 2003 season.
· The Learn to Race program is the first step for young riders, ages 13 – 18, to transfer their basic cycling skills to the race arena. Designed as an intermediate step between the Recreational and the Race Programs, Learn to Race introduces young athletes to the competitive side of cycling. Advanced riding skills, increased fitness and mechanical aspects of cycling are taught, while maintaining the low-pressure, fun atmosphere characteristic of all Young Riders programs.
· The Race Team offers training by certified USA Cycling coaches for the advanced cyclist. Training is held 5 days a week, 9 months of the year. The Race Team competes in the Intermountain Cup Racing Series and in the NORBA National Championship Series, among others. In its sixth season, the Race Team made major advances toward its goal of producing nationally competitive junior athletes. With 16 athletes participating in the program, the Race Team posted a number of very impressive results during the 2003 season.
In all, Young Riders provides many things to a great number of youth. The value of such programs as a source of positive inspiration to today’s youth cannot be overestimated. www.youngriders.com
Tom Noaker, a veteran and highly successful NORBA mountain bike racer, coaches Park City’s Young Riders. Linda Karz is the current Chair of the Board of Directors and the mother of two of the organization’s graduates.