Friday July 1, 2011
Elementary school students in Idaho had an incentive for not missing a day of school the whole year--a brand new mountain bike.
Jason Meador, general manager at Phil Meador Toyota, made good on his promise nine months ago to deliver a new mountain bike to each student with perfect attendance, and the students picked up their new wheels on June 14.
"Principals have told me that students who had disciplinary problems in the past completely changed their attitude because of this incentive," Meador told the Idaho State Journal.
A 12-year-old student at the school added, "Some days I was so close to being tardy and barely made it in on time. I thought about (the challenge) every day, and I am so excited to finally have a bike that is not broken."
Students received a 21-speed Diamondback mountain bike worth approximately $400.
I think this would have made me think twice about those days I felt "sick" as a kid. What about you?
Friday July 1, 2011
Children have named four features of the Olympic mountain bike course after a school competition.
The winning names are as follows:
Leap of Faith- a steep drop at the south end of the course. (Baddow Junior School)
Deanes Drop- a rocky, twisting descent. (Deanes School)
The Breathtaker- a grassy long, steep climb. (Hadleigh Junior School)
The Rabbit Hole- a crossover tunnel. (Chelmer Valley High School)
On July 31, the sections will be ridden for the first time at a pre-Olympic event. The Olympic mountain bike competition will take place August 11 and 12, 2012.
Friday July 1, 2011
A new book uses the sport of mountain biking to teach readers about Jesus Christ.
Chapters, such as "Dwelling on Obstacles" and "Preparation and Anticipation," document author Clark R. Burbidge's mountain biking experience while quoting the scripture.
An example: Burbidge writes that focusing intently on the inside of a switchback, so as not to fall off the trail's edge, actually caused someone he was riding with to crash.
The lesson: If we dwell on negative aspects, we will become them.
Life on the Narrow Path instructs readers how to live a happier life despite spiritual obstacles.
About the author: "Clark R. Burbidge took up mountain biking as a low-impact sport, but he ended up learning much more than how to guide a bike down a narrow mountain path," states the book's website.
Monday June 27, 2011
The BBC reports there will be a 30% growth in mountain biking in Scotland over the next five years.
"The idea of a healthy adventure activity, where you can just pick up your bike and go, has grabbed the imagination of the mass market," Katrina Morrison, Scottish Enterprise, told the BBC.
As a result of the demand, Tourism Intelligence Scotland produced a guide on mountain biking tourism offering advice on how to cater to cyclists' needs--suggesting companies stock up on basic bicycle repair items, offer secure bike racks and cleaning facilities, and print off daily weather forecasts for guests.
More than 1.3 million visits are made to Scotland each year for mountain biking, according to the Scottish Enterprise.
Thinking of planning a trip to the UK (like I suddenly am)? You won't need much convincing after reading these articles about mountain biking in Scotland.
