“It’s like Jurrasic Park!” was an enthusiastic comment overheard from one of the participants in a brand new summer program put on by the Presidio YMCA and SF Urban Riders.  This past week, the YMCA held their bicycle skills class, and for the first time, were able to bring children mountain biking without having to drive to Marin every day.  The four day Youth Mountain Bike Camp did take one day trip to Marin, a grand finale of an outing in China Camp state park.  Yet the fact that 3/4 of a mountain bike camp for children was able to be held within San Francisco city limits exhibits what is possible with the implementation of urban trail systems.  Just imagine what San Francisco could do with a bike park, enhanced trail networks from Twin Peaks to McLaren to Golden Gate park, chances for young and old alike to get out and enjoy some wilderness might not be such a rare occurence.

The YMCA’s Matt Dove and Mark G designed and managed the program, with assistance from SF Urban Riders director Dan Schneider.  Many elements of the YMCA’s programs were inspired by the popular SFUR bike skills events hosted in McLaren and Golden Gate Parks.  The YMCA’s program drew 15 to 20 youth daily to come out and experience riding a bicycle on trails.  The program has taken kids out to explore trails in the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and of course, our beloved Mt Sutro.

The first day of the bike program was conducted at the YMCA’s presidio location, and served as a mountain bike orientation for the youth in attendance, many of whom had never ridden bicycles off road before.  The instructors presented drills and excercises that illustrated both street safety and basic off road skills.

The first day of real off road riding was hosted by SF Urban Riders, within the trail system of Mt. Sutro.  Participants in the program completed two to three laps, stopping to practice some of the more technically challenging features of the Sutro Trail system.  Young mountain bikers got to build confidence and have fun learning how to pedal through a tight switchback, how to float, rather than rattle over some particular rocky sections, and how to confidently roll off of that one tricky log in the trail.  While enjoying lunch within the serene summit garden, YMCA staff and SF Urban Rider’s Dan Schnieder presented a brief history of the area, as well as lessons on how to properly ride trails and show courtesy to other trail users.   The energy among the kids was decidedly positive, with ‘cool’ being the ubiquitous term to describe the activities.  Attendees were also overheard saying “I’m psyched for the mud…” and “I want to go back into the forest”…

Well said, young ones.  I don’t think that feeling ever changes.