Boone Elementary bike rodeo emcee Tyler Berns told the school’s young cyclists that they were in for a treat.
“We’re going to do two laps on the hardest bike course ever created on Wentwood Drive,” he announced. “Who’s with me?”
Boone’s Bulldogs were up for the challenge. They tackled tight turns, conquered oversized speed bumps, and even stopped safely at crosswalks as they blazed new trails during the annual event, which was held the morning of Sept. 5.
This fall’s rodeo was Boone’s first on a city street. In prior years, smaller courses have been created in the parking lot of Northway Christian Church.
The change meant more smiles and fun for students, along with additional work for bike rodeo organizers. The event’s three chairs and other volunteers spent hundreds of hours planning the rodeo, building obstacles, and getting permission from all the neighbors on Wentwood Drive to close their block for the event.
Starting before dawn on rodeo day, more than 80 volunteers worked in shifts to set up the course, keep young bikers rolling, and clean up after the action ended.
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“It’s been really fun. I heard a kid say, ‘This is the best day of my life!’ And that made my day,” said Rachel Berns, who co-chaired the rodeo with Maggie Dunlap and Ashley Redgrave.
The course was tricky to navigate for both expert and beginner riders, who could choose to either bypass the obstacles and ramps or zoom over them. Bulldogs looked out for friends who were taking things slowly or hit bumps in the road.
“I have a kindergartener, and when I saw him at the end, he had this huge grin on his face, and he said, ‘Mom, I did it,’” rodeo volunteer Katie Hedgcock said. “They look at this as an obstacle-type course, and I think they’re so proud of themselves at the end.”
First-grader Hill Liverman said he’s only missed three days of biking to school since the year started, but still found the course difficult.
“It was pretty hard,” he said. “I thought I was about to crash, but I didn’t.”
Students were treated to popsicles and took a class photo after completing two laps up and down Wentwood. But organizers hoped that young riders hadn’t reached the finish line in building their cycling or bike-safety skills.
“We really hope that all of our students will utilize this information to want to bike to school … One of things that we love about our community is that we have the ability to do that. And we’re so appreciative of the crossing guards that work every day to keep our kids safe,” said parent teacher organization president Jada Mowles.
She explained that Boone rescheduled its rodeo from spring to fall this year in the hope that students would feel more comfortable and stay safe biking to school.
Mom Angela Manakides said that her third-grade daughter, Georgia, had been excited to ride to Boone for the first time the morning of bike rodeo. Before leaving, Georgia checked her helmet to make sure it fit properly, one of many safety lessons the school reviewed in the week leading up to the big event.
“This might jump start her biking her to school,” Manakides said. “She’s motivated now to do it.”
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