We have invited 13 underactive children between ages 11-13 to participate in a FREE, 12-week cycling training program for the 35 mile 2009 El Tour de Tucson cycling event. Our aim is to provide these children an opportunity to exercise and experience the success of participating in this important community event. This 12-week program will provide children with:
Our riders this year are submitting posts about their experiences. The first one is from Ty Wood-Pavicich and Neil Mason. Thanks Guys!
On Saturday was our firstride. After heading out back behindproactive we got a little talk from Scott on the rules for the ride. Then we were off going west towards I-10.
When we reached the first bridge Scott told usto walk our bikes across it and then wait to cross the road to the beginning ofthe path. From the beginning of the pathwe rode along the side of the park into a non-paved sandy area and then finallyto the main path. Soon we had broken upinto two groups, the one in front being lead and followed by Scott and Danielleand the second group being lead and followed by Nick and Tara.
Along the way we encountered many other pathusers and saw some pretty sights. The bike path makes biking and exercising alot more fun because of the trees and desert you get to see along the way.
After crossing many bridges and biking about8 miles both groups got together and stopped to take a break. We crossed another street and rode anothermile down to the train tracks where we finally stopped. We had a quick break and ate something. After the snack, we began our ride again. We quickly formed the two groups with the fasterriders in front and slower ones n back. The faster riders continued about a mile down when we stopped, realizingthat someone had gotten a flat. The front group rode back to help/support theperson with the flat tire.
We had aquick lesson about fixing a flat, and continued on our way. The ride back to Proactive was pretty much thesame as the way there. There was a smallgroup of riders (2, 3 including Scott) that broke away from the others. Everyone continued back to the first street. Once the first riders got there, the others waitedfor a while for everyone to follow, then continued along the wash to Proactive.
Overall, the ride was a good work out and alot of fun. This was my first big ride(21.2 miles) and I felt pretty good after it. I am very excited to do El Tour de Tucson!
Thursday, Oct 1, 2009
Today, we went to Randy Fenton Park and did some exercises. We did crab walks, duck walks, bear crawl, sprints, high knees etc
At first it was fairly easy and after a while, I started to tire. We picked partners and had a relay system. After we were done with the exercises, we played a game. There was someone who was chasing everyone else (like tag) except when you got tagged, you linked arms with the person in the middle. The people in the middle would stay linked and try to tag other people until there was no one left. After the game, we ran back to the building and went home ready for our ride on Saturday.
Saturday, Oct 3, 2009
Today was our two hour bike ride. Scott wasnt there but Nick, Tara and Danielle were. At first it was very rainy and cloudy and a chance of lightning so we biked on the trainers. Many of the kids complained wanting to ride out on the trail, but safety comes first so we stayed indoors. After an hour coach Nick went outside and tested if it was safe to ride on the trail. When Nick got back, he said it was alright to ride so we took our bikes outside. We began to ride West on a dirt trail and went about two miles, crossing a few bridges and trough a desert landscape (little civilization). After two miles, we came to a stop under a bridge and turned around. After listening to Nick talking about staying to the right side of the road and staying in a single file line across bridges, we went back the same way we came. When we got back, it was time to leave, we said good bye and headed home.
Thursday, Oct 8, 2009
Today we did exercises. We went around the gym doing a total of twelve different exercises (ball crunches, squats, pull-ups, hurtles, toe-taps, walking machine, ball trampoline, arm bike, rows, push-ups and mountain climbers). We went around the gym a total of two times (doing each exercise twice). Some of the exercises were fun and new such as the arm bike and the walking machine. Overall, the mountain climbers, the walking machine and the ball trampoline were the easiest. The rows, pull-ups and push-ups were the hardest. After we made the rounds, we went home. I thought that this meeting was the most physical and challenging of all the others.
Saturday, Oct 10, 2009
Today we had our second true bike ride (20.2 miles). First, before the ride, we were weighed so that when we got back the coaches could evaluate how much water we drank. We headed west on the same dirt trail that we rode on last Thursday, but instead of stopping and turning around, we continued crossing the Rillito on a bridge in a single file line. Then we headed east along the North side of the Rillito. At the Randy Fenton Park we crossed back to the South side of the River and continued along it as we did two Saturdays ago. We went under a lot of bridges; saw a lot of people on the trail (making sure to stay to the right) and the day was nice (not to sunny or windy) but a lot of dust and pollen in the air. At the stop before the bridge that leads to the trail to the train tracks we turned around and were congratulated by how well we improved on our staying to the right. We all got back being about 5-10 minutes off schedule due to the headwind and were weighed. Afterwards we were told how well we drank and after that, we said our goodbyes and left.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
5 weeks to El Tour!
Today we had our third 20 mile bike ride. Almost everyone attended and was excited to get started. However, because of many flat tires and other complications we got a 30 minute late start. Once on the path, we took the familiar route of heading east to the bridge then crossing and heading back west to the park and the long part of the trail. Throughout the ride we had about 5 more flat tires and this showed us just how important it was to be able to fix flats. Also, there was a crash, nothing very serious but still an incident important to reinforce the idea of being safe and aware at all times when riding a bike. There was a large headwind on the way back but for the most part it was an enjoyable, beneficial ride once again.
-Ty and Neil
Mon, Nov 16, 2009
When we started Proactives Junior El Tour Program, we didnt really know
what to expect. At first, the exercises were difficult and tenuous
but as time went on and we practiced them more they gradually got
easier. This program has taught us the importance of exercising, but
more precisely, of physical health as well as having perseverance to
overcome all my challenges. In addition this program has just been a
fun thing overall, providing an exercising outlet after-school, and a
reason to turn off the T.V. and get out biking on Saturday mornings.
The big race is almost here! Afterwards, we have the option of continuing in the follow-up program.
-Ty and Neil
Thanks, Ty and Neil!
Thanks to all of our generous sponsors, who are making this program possible:
- ProActive Physical Therapy
- Pyramid Coaching
- Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc.
- TriSports.com
- Nourishing Results
- The Wallace Research Foundation
- The Zuckerman Foundation
- Don & Jody Mackey
- Scott Bikes USA
- Innovations Inflation Systems
- Southwest Hand
- Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be made out to
Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc.
Please write ProActives Junior El Tour on your check and send to:
Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc.
2609 E. Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85716
