Local kids intimidated by either the cost or logistics of mountain biking now have a shot at the sport thanks to a partnership between Big Brothers/Big Sisters La Plata County and Durango DEVO.

The local youth developmental cycling program will be offering monthly clinics to adult participants in Big Brothers/Big Sisters aimed at instructing them on how to teach youngsters the finer points of getting started. Furthermore, through a grant from El Pomar Foundation, DEVO also will be purchasing bikes that will be available to BB/BS participants.

“If a big brother or big sister is looking for something to do, they can come check out bikes and helmets and go for a ride,” said DEVO Coach Sarah Tescher.

She said the monthly clinics will focus on fundamentals, such as fitting kids to bikes, proper helmet fit, and location of beginner trails. “We’ll give them the skills to make it fun, so the kids aren’t intimidated,” Tescher said.

In addition, Tescher said there are DEVO scholarships and loaner bikes available to any local kid interested in mountain biking. “DEVO has bikes we can loan out to parents who can’t afford a bike and scholarships to help kids purchase bikes,” she said.

DEVO, which is in the process of obtaining its 501(c)3 status, subsists on grants, fund-raisers such as the Iron Horse Velo Swap, and donations from the local community as well as the Durango Wheel Club.

“We want to come up with ways to provide kids who don’t have access to bikes or biking an opportunity,” said Tescher. “We all learn to ride a bike at one time or another, but we want to be able to allow kids to take it to the next level.”

For more information on this or other DEVO programs, visit www.durangodevo.com.

-Missy Votel