When is 2 Greater Than 4? Only at the Lose The Training Wheels Bike Clinic!

7.17.06

During the week of June 12-16, a combination sponsored bike camp was held at West County Christian Church for 35 kids with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. The kids worked through a series of customized bikes to discover the miracle of balance and by the end of the week they were up and riding on their own two wheels.

The clinic started with 35 kids spread out over five sessions with each session being 75 minutes long. On Day One the kids spent the first couple minutes of their session getting to know the facilities, the clinic director (Tammy Lloyd), the floor director (Sharon Colantonio) and the volunteer spotters who would be working with them throughout the week. Then each child was measured so a proper fitting bike could be established.

As the riders became comfortable with riding the modified bike they were encouraged to increase their speed and taught to turn with their arms and not their shoulders. Each rider then progressed from a fairly flat, stable roller through more tapered rollers that allowed the bike to tip more and more. When the rider was able to maintain balance on the most tapered roller, then they were put on a bike with a regular back wheel and a heavy front wheel. The heavy wheel provided momentum through centrifugal force and whether the rider knew it or not, they were riding a bike!

After working on the necessity of braking, the rider was able to move outside to the very large, open parking lot. This is where the riders felt the freedom of riding a bike (and the spotters felt the burn in their muscles from sprinting behind a bike). While each rider progressed at their own pace, each rider did learn to ride on just two wheels.

So, for this group of kids ..2 is Greater than 4

Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers! This clinic would not have been possible without you. There are a few special people that need to be acknowledged. First is Gretchen Montgomery who brought the entire idea to the DSAGSL and then did everything to make this clinic happen. Then when she needed a little extra help to get things completed, she did what every smart-thinking person would do: Ask mom and dad for help. Gretchen?s parents, Fred and Jo Ellen White, were also a big part of making this clinic a success. Not only did they donate the water and many of our supplies, but they were also there everyday running behind bicycles from start to finish. Of course we cannot forget the generosity of the Pujols Family Foundation and Kevin Beckman of Trident Steel that provided enough financial support for us to give every rider a new helmet and gift certificate for a new bike. Plus, West County Christian Church was a fabulous host, providing the best facility ever (and much, much more) for a bike clinic. Thank you to everyone who helped and/or gave. It was an incredible week thanks to you.