Monday Morning Biking has returned. iCan Bike Camp host Nancy Hanson decided she would continue with the free for all bike riding at 54 Country from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Hanson started Monday Morning Biking during the pandemic when she wasn't able to hold the usual iCan Bike Camp due to social distancing restrictions.
"It is open to anyone in the community," said Hanson. "Especially those who don't know how to ride a bike without training wheels."
She has ordered training handles to attach to the bikes where she is able to run behind them while supporting them. This way the kids are able to transition from training wheels easier.
Tomorrow will be the third week of biking, and she plans to continue to August 23.
Hanson asks that bikers bring their own bike, helmet and to wear tennis shoes in order to keep everyone safe.
"It's fun to see the little ones get out there and just go," said Hanson. "There's just so much independence to it."
Several of her iCan Bike alumni return to show off their new found skills, and to help train the new kids. She has found that some of her iCan bikers do great riding their bikes but by returning to Monday Morning Biking they are able to hone in on specific skills like starting and stopping, turns or riding a bike in traffic.
"What's cool," said Hanson. "Is there's a lot of parents in our community who share their kids with us, who bring their kids out and maybe they're five or six or seven years old and they're just learning how to ride a bike. But they're typically developing kids, and they catch on quick. But they love that there are these older kids who are riding around with them; they're so accepting of our iCan bike community."
The kids tend to have a lot of camaraderie for each other, whether that's helping the new kids with which way to go on the track or cheering on the alumni as they zoom by on their bikes.
Though Hanson is having a blast running around with the kids, she is looking for some volunteers who would be willing to lend her a hand. If you are interested in volunteering, you can either simply show up to 54 Country at 8:45 a.m. on Mondays wearing tennis shoes or contact Hanson at 573- 826-0223.