Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Columbia Gorge participants braved windy conditions on Friday, September 21st and Saturday, September 22nd for their first ever road and mountain biking workshops.
The events were held at two separate locations in Hood River: the Mark O. Hatfield trailhead and Family Man stunt progression area on Post Canyon. Wes Swearingen of Mt. View Cycles in Hood River hosted the workshops.
While Jacob Mekediak, who participated in the mountain biking workshop, was justifiably wary of the “drop off” obstacle at Family Man, he successfully conquered several others. He wound skillfully around trees and hairpin turns, up and down hills, and across wooden beams. Swearingen, with his years of experience in the biking field, was extraordinarily impressed with the courageous 12-year-old.
Approximately ten Bigs and Littles from Hood River, Klickitat, and Wasco counties participated in the workshops, where they learned basic bike maintenance, including how to change a flat tire and how to repair a broken chain. The pairs then rode at the two locations on bikes of their own and bikes provided by Mt. View Cycles.
