LOCALadk Magazine

Summer 2018 LOCALadk Magazine 19 LOCALadk Charlie: Ever y year there are bike races in Wilmington, but none just for kids. I wanted to be in the Leadville Race, but couldn't, so I decided to make a mountain bike race for kids. Wilmington is the perfect place to mountain bike because there are so many amazing trails and the pump track. I asked Henr y if he wanted help because he is my best friend. Henry: Charlie called me and asked me to help with the mountain bike race. I said yes because I love mountain biking and thought it would be super fun and challenging and I love challenges. Henry: We named the race "Hardy Kids Mountain Bike Race" after the trails in Wilmington and the kids racing in it. We rode the trails to decide which would be best for each age group, but still a challenge. Then we met with BETA to map the routes. We decided to donate the money we earned to BETA so they could make more trails. Charlie: Our first step was to talk to the Wilmington Town Board. They approved it and offered any help we needed. Then we had to get sponsors. We spoke to local businesses and offered levels of sponsorship. Ever yone we spoke to was ver y supportive. We got donations of money, door prizes, and cogs to make medals. Ever y racer got a SWAG bag full of cool things. Henry: On the day of the race it was super rainy and we thought "Oh man, nobody is going to show up." But sudden- ly, one person after another started to show up until 29 kids were ready to race in the cold and rain. Charlie: Kids from Canada, Vermont, and local towns were the official "Hardy Kids." From balance bikes to full suspen- sion bikes, kids were racing ever ywhere. Henry: It was exciting to see how many kids love mountain biking, even in the pouring rain. Charlie: We are getting excited about this year's race. We want to get more sponsors and also get more girls and more high school students to come out and race. BETA decided to take the money we donated to them and organize a kids' mountain bike camp this summer. Henry: Before and after the bike race, we had Fun Rides so we could get kids out and riding and used to the trails for the race. Once the trails are dr y, we want to start fun rides again, hopefully soon. Charlie: We also are working with BETA to get kids out and working on the trails. We had a Kids Trail Work Day on June 3. Henry: We just made a new jump on Lost Farm Trails and I can't wait to tr y it out. Charlie: We hope to get more kids out on the trails and make our race even better this year! The race is Labor Day weekend during the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival.

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