I'd like to share a series of events that illustrates the positive value and impact the TFKD mountain biking program can have on the lives of young people in residential youth facilities.  In these exceptional cases, two young men in lock-down facilities for youth offenders found success and accomplishment, illusive outcomes in all other modes of their lives, out on the trail with TFKD.

During a Saturday ride in August, a young man from Devereux Cleo Wallace joined us, who, according to the staff, failed to finish every prior activity he had tried.  The staff relayed to us the typical scenario: the boy becomes easily frustrated, throws a fit (including colorful language), and quits.  Although the single-track offered plenty of difficult assents and rocky obstacles that could have ignited his short fuse, the boy pressed on all day, riding and having fun just like any other kid on a bike. The mountain bike outing captured his attention and soothed his soul like nothing had before.  After completing the circuit  of the challenging south Boulder trail, featuring inspired views of the Flat Irons, all his peers and staff on the ride expressed their amazement during the ride's closing circle up, acknowledging how incredibly cool it was for him to finally finish what he started and achieve success.

Coincidentally, on the ride the following Monday, similar circumstances occurred. Our friend and longtime partner at Jefferson Hills, Larry, took a chance, tacking on a trouble-making kid to the group who had never been allowed to go on an off-site outing. Again, the TFKD experience, a fun, physically challenging adventure in the great outdoors with our enthusiastic, supportive staff and caring, fun-loving ride volunteers, was just the recipe for this troubled youngster to cook up a day long feeling of stress-free, success. On the bike, he achieved a few hours of relief from his long-fought war with the world.

On Thursday of the same week, Roger, another TFKD ally and staff member at Jefferson Hills, volunteered for our shop night.  As we worked to repair our fleet of program bikes, Roger excitedly explained to us about how great the activity was for the young man saying, "It's hard to see him fail at everything. We need to get him out on as many Trip for Kids rides as possible, so he can achieve and feel some measure of success."

These are just two examples of why all involved with TFKD believe in the power of the simple combination of kids and bikes.  The stories of these two young men and stories of so many other smiling,laughing children inspire us to do all we can do ensure the organization has the resources to reach as many underserved young people as possible.  Between March and November of 2009, TFKD completed one-hundred five rides with over 700 youth participants.  Next year, we're aiming higher and have set a goal to reach 1,000 youngsters, increasing our capacity with the launch of a new program in the summer of 2010.

Other Quotes from the Trail:

At the end of a ride this summer, Drew, a staff member from Synergy Treatment Center said “In 14 years of working in youth treatment, I have never gone on an outing as great as this Trips for Kids ride.”

 A young man from Devereux Cleo Wallace stated during a ride,"I just found a hobby I can enjoy instead of drugs."

While another from the same facility said, "I've been on three or four Trips for Kids rides now.  I really have fun and love being out here.  It makes being locked-up tolerable." We then talked about how he wants to get a bike and continue to mountain bike after he is released, later in the year.