Kid Trips with Austin Boys & Girls Club @ Walnut Creek on Dec. 10, 2011
Eight young men from the Austin Boys & Girls Club recreation center that serves the Webb Middle School, Geno, their college student and U.S. Job Corps adult chaperone, and Brian Beaulieu, the Club’s Director of Operations, showed up to brave the cold 44*-48* temps and light wind to experience some first-time mountain biking fun. Multiple cups of hot chocolate and loaner work gloves staved off the cold while Rick Chevrie gave them the quick necessary talk on safety, bike operations, IMBA rules, and trail courtesy.
After their first experience on the normal 2-mile easy loop, it was back for energy snacks, fruit, and more hot chocolate. Given the surprising abilities of these young men, we all headed over to the BMX trail for the second ride. After a quick demo from John Southrey and Rick Chevrie on the pump track, all the kids were swarming those bumps and hills and turns. When leaving the pump track, every rider must negotiate the steep drop, flat bottom, and steep-rise on the trail. Rick C. gave a demo and Adam Baylor pre-positioned himself half-way up the steep rise to catch riders that stopped short. Everyone rode it (without mishap) and a handful made it to the top.
Back to base for more hot chocolate, and there was even time for a third, fast ride on the 2-mile easy loop. These young men were extremely polite and thankful for this recreation opportunity and noted it as being the Club’s most fun activity.
The completion of this ride signals the LAST KID TRIPS RIDE for John Southrey’s 3-4 year tenure as Kid Trips Coordinator. He leaves the program in excellent shape, positioned for both an excellent 2012 and a new Coordinator.
Thanks to the KT Posse helping on this cold day: John Southrey, Rick Chevrie, Jim Rankin, Randy Baylor, Adam Baylor, Suzy Rowley, and Cecil Cole.
