Salida Mountain Trails (SMT) is launching a new program this spring to teach mountain bike skills to local youth.
The program, Salida Youth Cycling (SYC) is a continuation of the well-established Absolute Youth Cycling (AYC) program. This new chapter ensures the legacy of AYC will continue to inspire and empower the next generation of riders in the Salida community, with SMT aiming to grow the program to provide even more opportunities for young cyclists to develop their skills, confidence, and love for biking.
“As SMT has grown, our mission has grown, from building and maintaining trails to promoting a vibrant trail community, too,” said Jon Terbush, executive director of Salida Mountain Trails. “This new program fits right within that mission, getting more kids on trails and supporting the next generation of trail stewards.”
The AYC concept started with James Haarmeyer in the Fall of 2012, with the first courses taking place in Spring of 2013. Jessica Downing then took the reins and steered the program for many years, including through the tough times of COVID, before handing off operations to John Witherspoon, an SMT board member, in 2024.
“AYC has been one of the proudest programs we have ever done in our 26 years in Salida,” said Shawn Gillis, owner of Absolute Bikes. “The idea of it being a feeder program to Salida Racing yet also having so many of the kids continue to ride and race in and after college has made us extremely happy.”
“Some extremely important items that have been practiced are trail etiquette, being prepared while out riding, really enjoying the trails and area we live in, and of course riding with our friends and parents,” Gillis added. “Having the AYC program transition to SMT with the same lead organizer, John, and existing instructors is the best possible scenario.”
SYC will offer two six-week-long courses, one in the spring (April 4 – May 9) and one in the fall (dates TBD). Registration for the spring session will open on March 4th at 8:00am.
Courses provide guided instruction from licensed bike coaches and many passionate volunteers. Classes are broken into groups based on school grade, ranging from first through eighth grade.
For more information, visit salidamountaintrails.org/youthcycling
