Working with youth, real inspiration

Two weeks ago I helped as a coach at a youth cycling camp for 10-15 year olds, the OCA Rising Stars summer camp support by the HOSS Cross Festival. Each day I was bowled over by how amazing the kids all were. The experience will definitely be one of the highlights of the summer.

The cycling camp was held within a larger sports summer camp who’s concept is to take you outside of your comfort zone, push your limits, and send you home having conquered any obstacles you have run in to – the journey of the hero as they put it. I was excited about the cycling camp, but quickly realized that I was outside my comfort zone in dealing with the kids. I fit right in with the theme of the larger sports camp.

As coaches we wanted to work on a variety of areas within cycling: skills, group riding, training and even things as mundane as how to wash your clothes. It gave us a range of activities to plan out, all of which ended up being a lot of fun. I think the one that everyone liked the most was the skills building “box game”. In the box game everyone gets in the box, marked by pylons, and while riding the idea is to not get forced out of the box by the other riders. As the numbers dwindle the box gets smaller. Often it came down to track standing skills, but there was some bumping along the way and lots of laughter and ribbing. In between cycling time the sports camp had other activities like the big swing – which definitely lived up to its name. You were way up in the air when it was time to pull the release cord!

There was, as there always is in cycling groups, a range of ability at the cycling camp. One of the main ideas was to teach everyone how to ride as a group and look out for one another. On the first couple of rides there were some heavy surges on the hills. I would even call them attacks. By the end of the week though things were smooth, the group had found its rhythm and everyone was looking after one another. A big thing was that some of the kids stepped up to help manage the group, particularly with the pacing and helping dropped riders come back. It was great to see.

I think what surprised me the most though was the maturity of all the kids involved. Their decisions and actions were beyond what I had expected. We had a couple of crashes. No complaints. Some needed help with their riding or skills, but they certainly wanted to try and do it themselves first. We did some big rides, hitting gravel, hills and rain along the way. No complaints. Best of all was seeing how they supported their fellow riders with homesickness or preparations for a ride. They went out of their way to keep the spirits up and keep everyone excited.

Best of all was the reaction from the larger sports camp to the cyclists.

“You ride that much? and then you go swimming?”

“You guys are really tough. We have kids from other sports coming in for injuries that aren’t nearly as bad as this (road rash) and they are whining. Your cycling kids don’t say anything.”

“Wow, you guys are amazing on those bikes and what you can do.”

The camp was a great experience and I feel lucky to have been part of it. I can really see why people dedicate themselves to supporting youth development. The kids deserve it and they are inspiring to work with.