Mountain biking: Take a summer class, try the Fat Tire Festival

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Saturday, May 05, 2007

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RAPID CITY — Tired of being dubbed a road geek?

The Rapid City Department of Parks and Recreation is ready to transform you.

Parks and recreation director Jerry Cole said his department will offer three summer programs focused on the basics of mountain biking. The classes will take what savvy mountain bikers call road geeks — someone who predominately rides on the pavement (other names include Lycra lizards, roadies and bike nerds) — and teach them mountain biking techniques and more.

“We’re trying to bring an emphasis to outdoor recreation. Mountain biking will be our first foray into that,” Cole said.

Classes will leave the Rapid City Swim Center for outdoor excursions to Skyline Drive, M-Hill and trails within the city. The instructors even plan to push out onto U.S. Forest Service trails and a few logging roads, he said.

“It will give all the riders a sense of accomplishment and a lot of exercise,” Cole added.

Cole said the classroom instruction and trail instruction will vary depending upon the level of experience in the class. But he envisions people of all ages and walks of life — moms, dads, kids, professionals and students — having a great time and learning a lot.

“I think it’s a great family activity. It gets them out into the forest. They can cover many miles safely while enjoying the forest,” Cole said.

Here is a list of classes being offered:

n Beginning Mountain Biking for Women — Four hands-on classes teach basic bike handling, riding techniques, proper gear shifting, braking and tire repair. This is ideal for women with little or no biking experience, for those who want to leave behind the obstacles of city traffic and a sedentary lifestyle. Required equipment includes helmet, gloves, tire pump and patch kit, one set of bicycle tire irons and a water bottle. Cost is $80. Program meets 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 7 to June 28, at the Rapid City Swim Center.

n Beginning Kids Mountain Biking Class — For children ages 10 to 15, the program offers riding technique, trail etiquette, basic bike maintenance and repair. Mountain biking is not about daredevils careening down hills and trails, but leaving city streets for wooded trails. The class meets 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, June 6 to June 27, at Rapid City Swim Center. Requirements: bike, helmet, snacks, a water bottle and spare tube. Class is limited to 10 students. Pre-registration is required.

n Beginning Family Mountain Biking Class — Saturday morning classes take families (participants must be at least 10 years and older) through riding techniques, equipment, tools and places to ride. Classes meet at 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 9 to June 30, at the Rapid City Swim Center. Each class will include a bike excursion. Bikes, helmets, snacks, water bottles and comfortable clothing is required. Class cost is $80 for the first person, $15 for each additional family member. Pre-registration is required.

For class registration, check the Rapid City Department of Parks and Recreation Program Guide, call 394-4168 or go to www.rcgov.org/ parks_recreation/Program%20Guide/ 2007%20Spring_Summer_Guide/ final.pdf, page 10.

If you go

What: Black Hills Fat Tire Festival

When: May 25-28, Memorial Day weekend

Where: Founders Park on West Omaha Street, Rapid City.

Cost: $90 for full festival that includes T-shirt, social gatherings, demonstrations, rides and races; $25 daily; $20-$25 for social gatherings; $20 for T-shirt

Registration and information: Rapid City Parks and Recreation and Black Hills Cycling Club at P.O. Box 9351, Rapid City, SD 57709; call 394-5225; fax 394-5226; e-mail info@bhfattirefestival.com; or go to www.bhfattirefestival.com to register or for a complete schedule of events