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Thank You Notes and Slippery Bridges

The way our schedule has worked this fall, we have had to be very careful with our time. Every minute has counted! So it's been a challenge to find a time to write thank you notes to the folks who helped us with the pump track. Finally on Friday morning I pulled out the cards that had been written by students so we could all sign them. After signing the cards himself, a 7th grader offered up his back as a writing surface for the others. This was kind of emblematic of the way we have grown as a group from riding together this fall. 

Students all help each other bring the bikes out to the corral when they arrive each morning, and work together to put them back into our storage room after our ride. They have learned to be patient with each other, to cheer each other on, and to help each other out. There are times, still, when kids are jockeying for position and trying to squeeze by each other, but these make for teachable moments. 

The temperature on Friday was just below freezing, but the sun was out and while one group went to ride the pump track I led the other group on some single track. The light was just right to showcase the ribbon of trail snaking through the field we were in. The kids were really into it. Me and my parent volunteer demonstrated why it's important to get your butt off the saddle in bumpy terrain, and not to touch your brakes when you're on a slick bridge. 
Everyone did fine, and I was especially proud of the kids who chose to walk their bikes across the bridges instead of riding them. It's not easy making a decision like that when you're a middle school kid, and all you can think about is that everyone is watching. But I've drilled it into the group that it's better to "live to ride another day" than to ride too far beyond your comfort zone and get hurt.

 It's hard to believe that we are wrapping up our first session of Riding For Focus already, but this Tuesday will be our last meeting. Tomorrow we will clean up our bikes and disinfect our helmets, and Tuesday we will go over the Road Ready Written Skills Test. Later in the morning the kids will be recognized at an assembly in front of the entire school for their participation in Riding For Focus. They have worked hard, and learned a lot. I hope this experience has gotten them hooked on biking for life! 

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