My senior capstone project at Oregon Episcopal School became an incredible journey of sharing my love for mountain biking. For the last weeks of school, instead of classrooms, my focus shifted to introducing the thrill of Boys Mountain Bikes to a new group of young riders. This immersive experience allowed me to make a real impact and learn valuable lessons along the way.
Connecting with OES alumna Ellie Riser opened the door to collaborate with the Blazers Boys and Girls Club, bringing the excitement of mountain bikes directly to their after-school program. Regular meetings with Jamarr Lawson and Gabriel Bradford were instrumental in navigating the logistics of introducing bikes to the club. Early discussions with instructor Elaine Bothe highlighted the importance of partnering with the Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA). Jered Bogli, NWTA’s president, played a crucial role in coordinating the use of thirteen kids’ bikes, handling insurance, and providing parent permission slip information – all essential components that made this project a reality. I am also grateful for the visual documentation provided by Sean Benesh and Clark Vowels, who captured the project through photos and videos.
Boys and Girls Club kids with mountain bikes
First Day Fun: Indoor Boys Mountain Bike Skills
Our first day was met with rain, so we transformed the gym into our mountain bike playground. We started by letting the boys freely explore riding the bikes, allowing them to get a feel for it at their own pace. Then, we transitioned into structured skill-building exercises, incorporating cones for drills, practicing ratchet pedaling, and setting up slow and fast races. As an avid mountain biker myself, I initially worried that the indoor setting might disappoint the kids. However, their faces lit up with pure joy as we wheeled the boys mountain bikes into the gym. It became instantly clear that the location was secondary to the shared excitement of riding together. Witnessing their enthusiasm for simply riding in circles in the gym was a powerful reminder of the core joy of mountain biking, prompting me to reconsider my own pursuit of distant “perfect” riding destinations.
Boys mountain bikers in a gym setting
Enthusiastic boys riding mountain bikes indoors
Building Skills: Boys Mountain Biking Progress
Day two began again in the gym, and the boys were already showing impressive progress on their mountain bikes. They were confidently navigating cone courses and even practicing balance by riding with bean bags on their heads. Games of “foot down” added an element of fun competition before we ventured outside. There, we practiced group riding techniques around the block, preparing them for our planned trail adventure on day three.
Boys mountain biking skills practice with cones
Boys focusing on balance during mountain bike drills
Trail Day Triumph: Boys Conquer Gateway Green
Our final day was the highlight – a field trip to Gateway Green. We met at the Fred Meyer parking lot for a warm-up before pedaling towards the trails. The boys eagerly hopped off the bus, beaming with anticipation. Photographer Sean Benesh and videographer Clark Vowels were there to document the day as the boys experienced an exhilarating downhill roll to the trailhead. The growth in their confidence on the boys mountain bikes over the three days was remarkable, and they readily applied their new skills at the park. We started on the pump track, allowing them to build momentum and practice bike control, before progressing to a trail ride through the forest.
Boys mountain biking downhill towards the trails
Boys mountain biking through the forest
Group of boys mountain biking on a trail
Boys celebrating after a mountain bike ride
Boys mountain biking with instructors
Close up of boys mountain biking on a trail
Boys mountain biking smiles
Boys mountain biking group photo on trail
Boys mountain biking instructor leading the way
Boys mountain biking looking back at the camera
Resilience and Growth Through Boys Mountain Biking
When falls happened, the boys demonstrated remarkable maturity and resilience. The positive guidance from Andre and other club leaders resonated with them; they quickly got back up and onto their bikes. They learned firsthand that falling is a part of the process, whether in mountain biking or any sport, and what truly matters is how you respond. This attitude was particularly special about this group of boys. I witnessed their trust in each other as they encouraged one another to try new things and build their self-assurance. Through riding boys mountain bikes, they discovered a new environment to test themselves, fostering confidence that extends far beyond the bike.
Boys mountain biking group with instructors smiling
For me, mountain biking embodies friendship, teamwork, perseverance, and pushing personal boundaries, both mentally and physically. This three-day program allowed these boys to experience these values firsthand. I sincerely hope we can ride together again soon and continue to develop mountain biking as an ongoing opportunity at the Blazers Boys & Girls Club.
