High Desert Devo is preparing to start another season of shredding with Montezuma County youths.
The spring season runs March 31 through May 15. Summer practices will be available the last two weeks of June and July.
The fall season runs Aug. 18 through Oct. 2. The 501(3)(c) also has a new executive director, Ed Whritner.
A few ability levels are offered in the program, with the addition of a recreational based groups that focuses on teaching riders how to mountain bike or “ride for fun with others.”
Another group, the Crank Girls, allows girls to ride with others girls as they learn together.
“Our Crank Girls programming is open to all abilities from first-time mountain bikers to competitive riders,” said program Chase Wesley. “We also have groups for skill/competitive based riders who are looking at enhancing their fitness and technical skills that will allow them to perform their best in a race or at their highest level possible.”
Prerequisites to joining High Desert Devo include being able to ride a bike on a paved path or bike path without training wheels.
Wesley shared they hope to expand their programming to teaching children how to ride a bike, but aren’t quite there yet.
In High Desert Devo, riders are placed into teams based on their age, rather than on their ability.
“We hope that riders take away the belief that they can ‘always be shredding.’ We know that being able to shred on a mountain bike is going to look different for everyone. For the first time rider it may look like just getting out there and trying something new whereas for another person it may be riding that one climb or descent that has always gotten the best of them, or it may be the rider who is sending jumps every chance she gets,” Wesley said.
“Regardless of who the rider is, the concept is the same. ABS is the heart of High Desert Devo, celebrating the highs, pushing through the lows and never riding alone. When you’re surrounded by good people who share your passion, you’re part of something bigger than just a team. That’s what ABS is all about.”
Those who wish to join the program but don’t have the funds to purchase a bike, gear or registration fees can apply for support on the group’s website www.highdesert.org.
“We are hoping to look at building community sponsorships to help us keep getting more kids from Montezuma County out onto bikes,” Wesley said.
Along with being a fun sport for youths, Welsey said he hopes those who participate will discover a lifelong love of riding.
“Our mission is to empower the youths of Montezuma County by helping them to develop a life long passion for cycling,” Wesley said. “All of our coaches have had cycling impact their lives in a very positive ways from teaching them such as: confidence, resilience to keep trying and the freedom from the distractions of life.”
