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Mini Alley Kitten Scavenger Hunt and MTB Rodeo

This Saturday, August 14th, don’t miss out on the BikeFest Youth Rodeo put on by Velomuse!  Thanks to Eryn Hughes, the founder of Velomuse, we have some info to share about the upcoming event and organization putting it on for BikeFest.

What is Velomuse?
Velomuse is a concept evolved to inspire new cyclists to consider lifelong cycling, as a lifestyle choice.  Although we have limited resources, we use professional coaching, utilitarian, competitive, and bicycle industry experience to coordinate unique hands-on education.  We put an emphasis on supporting small demographics that are not already reinforced, like women and youth in the city.  Since 2005, it has evolved from adult women’s mountain biking in Northern California to include youth and now there’s even inquiry with senior citizens’ events.  It’s hard to say no to an aspiring cyclist.

Do you hold events like the kids rodeo often?
The bike rodeo concept is actually new to Velomuse, inspired by the National Bike Summit in DC this year and a desire to build momentum for a potential High School mountain bike racing League for the state of Pennsylvania (which is in the bidding process with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, http://www.nationalmtb.org).  Its not a huge departure from the several years’ experience coaching High School Mountain Biking with NorCal, the parent organization to NICA; however, its interesting to learn how to build this foundation anew.  We are trying to figure out where it all starts for Pennsylvania, so we coordinated with Venture Outdoors at the annual festival this year to host the first kids’ bike rodeo.  Much of the planning was a challenge with obstacle build parties, navigating liability insurance programs, and submitting permit applications.  It almost looked like we were going to be rained out, but the last hour it cleared up and we got almost 50 kids just walking through!  Enthusiasm was contagious. And it felt like the right start.

Have you done work with BikePGH before?
My work with Bike Pittsburgh has ranged from interning with the City of Pittsburgh Planning department’s, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, and learning from the various projects like PTAG and Free Ride on ways that I can become effectively involved in the bicycle community.  Last year, I helped coordinate the Bike to Work Day biker breakfast downtown, and this year helped with some events around Car Free Fridays.  I think a lot of volunteers also put in time on their own projects that indirectly support the overall mission of Bike Pittsburgh, which is why the events during BikeFest are so awesome!

What is the Bike Rodeo?  Where’d you get the idea?  What kind of events can people look forward to during the day?
The Bike Rodeo is going to be awesome, surprising and exciting.  It’s also rather ground-breaking, as it looks like no prior bicycle events have been granted permissions to host events in City parks before, and various groups are working together to bridge the relationships.  In listening to the concerns and needs of the administration and interest groups, this seemed like a good venue for the next youth bike rodeo.  We are bringing back the obstacles, incorporating them into an alley-cat style scavenger hunt and adding a short mountain bike ride for the older youth.  We’re also looking to have a surprise for the adult volunteers.  I’m really looking forward to this event.  Want to hear more: eryn@velomuse.org

Mini Alley Kitten Scavenger Hunt and MTB Rodeo
Saturday, August 14
Noon-4pm
Frick Park Lower Soccer Fields (end of Lancaster Ave parking lot)

Not a member of BikePGH? Join today! We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership