Record numbers of participants joined the festival events this year. Six
kids joined John Atkinson on his beginner ride on the Mad River Path
while three new people joined the Mad River Riders for their weekly
Thursday road bike ride. Four women joined the Moms on Bikes, ending the
ride with plans to begin a MOB. Nine people joined the Mad Birders for a
bird walk on the Village Path and over 100 people attended the Chamber
Mixer dedicated to the Path Association. Casual observance showed a
steady stream of adults commuting and recreating. Again this year, many
enthusiastic cyclists biked to the opening Farmers' Market.
Nine-year-old
Chris Ward, son of Stan and Helen Ward of Waitsfield, has walked, biked
or snowshoed to school every day since moving to The Valley on May 7,
2009. "Walk and Roll spirit was in the air and that really stuck for
him," says Stan. "We tried to give him an out in the dead of the winter,
but he would not have it. Instead other kids started joining him along
the route, one even asking for snowshoes for her birthday so she could
join Chris. Sometimes Helen and I and 11-year-old Scott join him. His
dedication to it is a tremendously positive thing."
At Moretown
School, an excited first-grade girl asked her teacher: "Why are you
having a parade for us?" Spring Hill School joined the festivities this
year with an adventurous bike ride through the parking lot for
4-years-olds.
Waitsfield Elementary School got into the spirit
with the help of a Safe Routes to School grant from VTrans. After a
season of education and awareness training, a large percentage of the
school population is biking and walking to school. Parents and kids are
getting group rides together to help even the younger kids have the
thrill of getting themselves to school.
"Every day is an
opportunity to bike to work or school and it's a great way to build
exercise into your daily routine," says organizer Dave Cain. You don't
have to wait for next year's event to give it a try. Everyone's
participation is steadily helping to make the vision of the Mad River
Valley as a biking- and walking-friendly community a reality. Thank you
for doing your part."
Borne out of the Valley Futures Network,
the organizers represent a diverse set of interests: Laura Brines of the
Mad River Path works to increase awareness of the Path as a resource
for the community; Sue Frechette has worked to find ways the Mad River
Valley Health Center's Health Education Committee can help community
members get outside for healthy activity; Dave Cain, a longtime bicycle
commuter, has worked to encourage Valley residents in National
Bike-to-Work week; and Liz Weller brings her enthusiasm for outdoor
activities to the group. Additionally the various schools have played a
significant part in making the festival an important spring event.
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