Tsalteshi Sprockets volunteer coach Rob Carson teaches a group of youth riders Thursday, June 14, at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Tsalteshi Sprockets volunteer coach Rob Carson teaches a group of youth riders Thursday, June 14, at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Tsalteshi Sprockets teach youth cycling

The present day cycling scene on the peninsula is undoubtedly strong, as evidenced by the numbers of bikers that flock to the trails and pathways around town on a summer day.

To keep it that way, the future generations are getting a major boost.

The Tsalteshi Sprockets is a summer youth biking program intended to get children ages 8 to 16 outside and building confidence and skills in biking. The group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in June at Tsalteshi Trails behind Skyview Middle School, and only Tuesdays in July due to the Tsalteshi Cycle Series starting up on Thursday evenings.

Amidst a renaissance in cycling around town, the program strives to push young kids to not only learn and master the mechanics of biking, but to enjoy the sport and thrive with a passion for it.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Jenn Tabor said the Sprockets is a summer program that parallels the Nordic ski programs in the winter.

“It’s fabulous,” Tabor said. “It’s great when kids can learn these skills and get outside.”

Tabor has joined with Jen Showalter and Amy Hogue in creating and growing the program, which is in its inaugural year.

The seeds of the program were planted when Tabor and others decided that the Kenai needed a cycling program similar to other ones around the state.

Tabor said she had help from Anchorage cyclist Janice Tower, who 18 years ago founded the Mighty Bikes program, which supports over 300 youth bikers with another 160 on a waiting list.

“We’ve had tons of support from them,” Tabor said. “We’ve talked for a couple years of making this happen, and we needed a summer mountain biking program like we have the winter skiing.”

In the first week of the 2018 schedule, Tabor was out with over a dozen assistant volunteers coaching young prodigies. The Sprockets currently have 45 kids in the program, with more on the wait list, which is required to keep the group sizes from becoming too large for each coach to handle.

In her 30 years on the peninsula, Tabor said the cycling scene has taken off in terms of sheer bikers. A program coming along like the Sprockets was only a matter of time for a popular sport.

“It’s exploded since we’ve been here,” she said. “It’s been a tipping point for the community as far as getting out.”

With the current class of 45 separated into seven groups based on ability level, the youth cyclists are taught everything from the fundamentals and up, including proper bike maintenance. A whiteboard on the Tsalteshi ski/bike shack had the message scrawled on it, “Lay your bike down ‘sprockets up’, to protect your drivetrain.”

In the most expert class, guided by Mike Crawford and Tyle Owens, cyclists are taught how to expertly navigate and handle varying terrain at speed. Crawford explained to the group how to adjust body weight when tackling a steep downhill, and demonstrated on several hills at Tsalteshi.

In other classes, Rob Carson and Morgan Aldridge were challenging less-experienced riders to hop a series of two-by-fours by lifting their back wheels, then tasked them to straddle a board without dipping a tire off into the grass.

Rob Carson is one of the volunteers who, along with wife, Rinna, help guide the youngsters on a series of drills and rides around the trails. Carson said the expanding use of the Tsalteshi Trails, which continue to add singletrack trail each summer, have necessitated a program like Sprockets.

“It’s a great way to utilize these trails,” Carson said. “Anything to get kids and adults out.”

Carson is a longtime middle school teacher in the area, and as a current Skyview Middle School teacher has been an avid user of the trails in both summer and winter, whether it be getting out on tires or skis. He said while getting out to ride is simple enough, learning how to be efficient and knowledgeable about maintenance and handling is another challenge.

“I think this is another way kids can become involved and learn how to ride,” he said.

Rinna Carson echoed her husband’s thoughts, adding that the wait list cap goes to show how many kids are willing to try out.

“We can’t accommodate everyone, but we encourage them to try,” she said.

Two groups of Tsalteshi Sprockets riders pass by each other Thursday, June 14, at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Two groups of Tsalteshi Sprockets riders pass by each other Thursday, June 14, at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

More in Life

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.