Off to the slow races

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As spring gears into full swing, the weather is getting nicer and with the Major Taylor clubs, we are able to enjoy the fresh air by being on our bicycles. Last week, everyone in the Earn-a-Bike course at the YES Foundation was putting the final touches on their bikes. After about an hour of maintenance work, everyone was ready to test ride. We went into the parking lot to make sure that everything worked the same way it had when we were fixing the bikes on stands.

As you can imagine, not all of the bikes worked perfectly. Even though we had performed the ABC Quick Check (Air, Brakes, Chain/Cranks & Quick releases) many of the kids came back inside needing to adjust something. But that is why you test-ride a newly fixed bike in a parking lot and not on the STP. After a few more tries, all of the bikes were ACTUALLY working, and it was time to play.

We have many different games that we can play in parking lots (and while waiting on the side of the road) but one of my favorites is the “Slow Race.” The concept is simple, you set a course (we did it on a basketball court) and the last one to cross the finish line is the winner. You have to ride as straight as possible, riding in circles doesn’t count, and if you put your foot down you are disqualified. Apart from looking silly, it is fun and actually helps develop basic balancing skills that are very useful while going on actual rides. This week we are taking the Earn-a-Bike crew on a ride to celebrate the completion of the bikes and then the kids will get to take them home and use them for their own transportation.

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The kids line up for the race.... and they're off!

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