You know, kids these days take kind of a bad rap. We hear stories about drugs, theft, under achievement in school, and other nefarious issues that plague young people today. But it is nice to see a positive program where kids are valued, their experiences in the outdoors are enhanced, and they learn skills on the trails and off the trails that they can use for a lifetime.

Enter Cody Pletz, who is on a 9 year mission to improve kid’s lives and skills on a mountain bike. His program, Trail Adventures, is part of the recreation programs of the Allegheny County Parks and Recreation Department here in Pittsburgh. The program takes place at Hartwood Acres and at North Park from April until October- Monday through Thursday. Currently the North Park group has 54 riders who all have smiles on their faces whenever we see them in the woods and the skills on the trails are augmented with drills that Cody and his coaches use before the rides .

One of the interesting things about Cody’s programs are that several of the kids that have graduated have gone on to race in college and some are even returning as coaches in the program. Riding skills as well as trail etiquette are emphasized as we see groups of the riders stop when we approach if we have the right of way on an uphill section. Several of the parents are coaches and monitors, and it is heartwarming to see the parking lot filled with parents and kids all eager to begin their session with Trail Adventures.

One thing I learned as a father was not to try to force your child into a sport. It is important to try to share your enthusiasm by getting them started but if it is not for them, so be it. They will find their own interests with their friends. That is one of the cool things about Trail Adventures is that even though the parents signed their children up for the program, it is apparent that the kids make friends. The season long weekly outings bond them together in ways that may never have taken place had the program not existed. When you see 54 kids all lined up, doing drills, laughing and having fun with each other, it is heartwarming. If you log on to the Allegheny County Parks and Recreation website, (www.alleghenycounty.us), you will see the sign -ups for the programs. A lot of them are already sold out but take a look. The costs are very modest for the amount of time spent with coaches and on the trails.

One thing about riding a mountain bike is that you can do it for a long time. I know the coaches and they often tell their kids that our crowd is made up of older adults with the point being that we all can share the experiences of this sport together. Old dudes on the trails riding with young rippers. We learn from each other and have a few laughs together too. And mountain biking can be seen as a lifetime sport. Good exercise, in the woods, on the trails, with your friends. What better way to exercise? Cody and his team have done a great job over the years introducing kids to this lifetime activity. With a lot of the negative things happening to our youth today, it is nice to see a program developing young people and giving them way more than skills on a bike. Comradery, appreciation for the great outdoors, and life lessons are all taught by Trail Adventures. Love to see it. Thanks for reading.