Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day - Oct 2, 2004

It was just 2 days ago that I took my 8 year old daughter for her first real mountain bike ride. It was a shuttled descent down a long decommissioned mining road known as Silver King. On the ride she jumped rocks, crossed creeks, stopped to view the flora, fauna, waterfalls and old mining remnants. She even had a crash that may have been worth at least a stitch or two. I can't believe it took us this long to finally hit the trails. Like me, she can't wait to get out and do it again on Saturday, National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. That's my little girl...

In garages across the country, kid's bicycles lean on their kickstands with cobwebs in the spokes. Competing with a comfy couch, a video game and the Internet, the bikes are ignored. With childhood obesity reaching an all-time high and childhood physical activity an all-time low, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) invites adults and kids everywhere to get out their bikes and hit the trails on Saturday, October 2, for the first annual National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.

Today's youth are less active than ever before, and according to the U.S. Surgeon General, the percentage that is overweight has nearly tripled in the past two decades. Forecasts predict that the current generation of children in the United States could actually have a shorter life expectancy than their parents as the epidemic of childhood obesity continues. "Mountain biking is an activity that can help reverse the trend toward childhood obesity," says Hill Abell, president of IMBA. "Mountain biking is a great physical activity and the perfect way for adults and children to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise together."

IMBA, with the help of U.S. Congressman Richard Burr of North Carolina, has introduced a resolution to the U.S. Congress declaring the first Saturday in October as National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. The resolution was established in memory of Jack Doub, an avid teenage mountain biker who had a passion for the sport of mountain biking.

Mountain biking builds self-confidence and offers kids and adults an adrenaline-packed adventure while giving them an effective, low-impact workout. "We are looking forward to being a part of National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. It's a great way to spend a day focusing on positive, fun outdoor experiences for children, while teaching valuable lessons about living a healthy lifestyle, personal responsibility and environmental awareness," notes Andrew Goodwillie, an IMBA member and director of Trips for Kids Denver who will be organizing a ride in the Denver area.

Adults and children who are interested in participating on Saturday, October 2, are encouraged to visit http://www.imba.com/resources/kids/index.html for additional information about National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day and up-to-date event locations. Additionally, individuals can register their participation online and share their stories for a chance to win three Schwinn kids mountain bikes to be donated to a local charity or youth group of their choice.