Awhile back Bicycling were kind enough to ask me to write a little something about Star Track, which I see is now available for your perusal:
There were two things I wish I had been able to address–for the general reader, that is, not you people. One of them is my own experience as a Star Track parent:
While my elder son didn’t participate this past semester due to all the usual life changes, we did spend several seasons with the program, and I was constantly amazed by the dedication of the people who run it. As a bike person and a parent it’s profoundly moving to watch these sessions in action. Watching all those kids riding in concentric circles based on age and ability–the youngest and least experienced on the inside, the oldest and most experienced on the outside–is like seeing them all grow up in real time. Foolishly, when he first started, I used to bring a bike too so I could join the races afterwards. But I soon realized that was stupid and that the real joy is just hanging out watching the kids, and I simply gave him my bike once he grew into it.
The other thing I wish I could have gone into was how important this program is. Did you know that New York State is required to teach bike safety in schools?
Of course you didn’t, because it doesn’t happen. The racing’s great of course, but what’s really amazing about Star Track is how competent these kids become on the bike. They’re starting at eight years old on brakeless track bikes and learning how to ride in pace lines; they’re weaving through cones and turning in tight circles and doing all kinds of fun little drills. On Halloween they do “Track or Treat,” which involves grabbing candy and stuffing it in their jersey pockets while riding, which is something most adults couldn’t manage. (Yes, you people could manage it, but again, I’m talking about regular people, not bike freaks.) After a few sessions these kids are better riders than half the people on Citi Bikes out there. Bike handling: now that’s a life skill. The Star Track coaches will all tell you how much they could accomplish if they had greater resources and a large indoor facility that let them work all year round and I’m more than inclined to believe them. I used to roll my eyes when I’d hear people who don’t even use the velodrome we have now go on about how we should build a great big lavish one. But now I understand the potential for something like that–not for adults, because who cares about them, but for the kids:
Forget finding the next Olympian–if Star Track could expand its program exponentially you’d probably solve the idiot cyclist problem in New York City in a single generation.
Hey, maybe the private sector can come to our rescue. They could build an indoor cycling facility at the mall, right by the Legoland and the indoor climbing space and the indoor skydiving facility:
That of course is the mall behind which the Trails Behind The Mall lie, and during the holiday season I’ll often avail myself of both, as I did yesterday. Bikes are an afterthought at the mall behind which the Trails Behind The Mall lie, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because you can hog what few racks there are without worrying about other cyclists–because there are no other cyclists. Also, you can also use a rinky-dink lock that fits easily in your frame bag and wouldn’t last two seconds in the city:
Anyway, after stopping at the mall I headed into the Narnian world beyond:
We had some heavy wind and rain a few days ago so the trail was strewn with debris and my bike was playing pick-up sticks:
Fortunately I emerged with my spokes and derailleur intact.
It’s not even Christmas yet, but already I’m thinking about the New Year, and perhaps I’ll make a resolution to finally cut the steerer tube on the Jones:
Hey, it’s only been four and a half years.
Anyway, it’s great to see young people riding, and it’s also great to see old people riding:
Those of us in the middle are wholly unremarkable.