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e-News from CAMBA Country
Volume 2, Number 5 Friday, May 23, 2008
The course will take place at Hatchery Creek Park, Hayward on Sunday afternoons, June 1, 15, 22 and 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The course will include: bike safety, fit and maintenance, following IMBA's "Rules of the Trail," bike handling theory, drills to promote bike handling skills, a short trail ride at every session and an obstacle course at every session. Participants will need a mountain bike in good working condition and an approved helmet (required). Mechanics supplied by the New Moon Bike and Ski shop will again be on hand to offer bicycle tune-ups prior to setting out on the trails. The cost is $15.00 for CAMBA family members, $35.00 for non-members. Family memberships are available for $40.00.
CAMBA'S new education program, debuted last summer and was a resounding success. CAMBA Kids was fashioned on the popular Nordic Kids cross country ski program, which in Hayward has as many as 100 young skiers participating throughout the winter. CAMBA board member, Jeff Jackson, first coined the phrase CAMBA Kids at a meeting over two years ago. The concept lingered on the back burner until last season when Jackson and fellow board member Darren Winchester took the idea and ran with it. The program targeted youth, six to 13 years of age with minimal to moderate off road cycling experience. The class was conducted over four sessions at Hatchery Creek Park on the newly constructed CAMBA singletrack trails. Class introduction, IMBA "Rules of the Trail," refreshments, bike tune-ups, safety review and other instruction were conducted at the warming hut with actual on-bike instruction on the trails themselves. Helmets were mandatory and were provided for kids without helmets or with poorly fitting helmets.
"We were hoping for 25 to 30 kids," said , CAMBA board member and one of the key organizers of the new program. At 27 participants, the 2007 edition of the program was right on Winchester's projections.
Technical skills were assessed by experienced local riders who served as coaches and kids were broken down into various groups based mainly on ability. Several beginner stations were utilized to acquaint new riders with obstacles encountered on the trail before actually venturing into the woods. Ramps, teeter-totters, half logs, cones and low bridges placed in the field adjacent to the warming hut allowed the kids to practice their skills before hitting the trails. This proved to be a big hit, as the kids would show up early to get in extra time on these obstacles.  The classes progressed with the kids developing confidence and the experience necessary to handle most of the CAMBA trails. Each week the kids were instructed on proper trail behavior while a bike inspection was carried out their equipment. The kids then moved to the beginner stations and subsequently to the trails. While riding the trails, technique advice was given by the coaches along with description of the actual trail building process and features. Classes wrapped up each week with a quick healthy snack and water back at the warming hut.
For further information, or to enroll in this year's CAMBA Kids program,  To view past editions of Enews from CAMBA Country, go to: www.cambatrails.org/enews/. To join CAMBA, please click: www.cambatrails.org/membership.html. If you are having difficulty reading this Enews you can read it online here |
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CAMBA Kids Back for Second Year
For a registration form or more information, call (715) 798-3599 or send an email to camba@cheqnet.net. Registration forms will be available on the first class day, Sunday, June 1 at Hatchery Creek Park. 
The goals of the class were to give the kids an appreciation of the outdoors, learn appropriate trail riding behavior, gain some understanding of the trail building process and to learn/improve their off road riding capabilities.
The kids were at all times encouraged to ride with partners when not in class and to involve their parents whenever possible. They were given a family oriented appreciation for the sport and encouraged to stay active.
This program could not have been conducted without the help and generosity of local riders, CAMBA directors, parents, New Moon Bike Shop and Quality Bike Parts. The CAMBA board is thankful for all who participated in this unique educational program.
