Clone of Fall Mountain Biking Camp

Bells Bend Outdoor Center is hosting the Fall Mountain Biking Camp on Thursday, October 15, from 9 AM to 3 PM. It's part of the Nashville Police Activities League's mountain bike program, which is built around introducing kids to off-road cycling. This particular session is aimed at ages 12 to 17, so it's geared toward the older end of the teen range rather than the little ones.

The curriculum covers more than just riding. The fundamentals of mountain biking are the starting point, but the program also brings in athletics, trail building and conservation, goal setting and emotional regulation. It's a mix of technical skill and the kind of mental work that comes with learning a new sport—how to handle a trail, how to take care of the land you're riding on, and how to stay focused when things get challenging. The trail building and conservation piece is a nice touch, too; it gives the kids a chance to see how the paths they use are actually made and maintained.

Spots are awarded based on need and access to the sport, so it's not a first-come, first-served situation. The whole thing is free. If you've got a teen who's interested in getting into mountain biking but hasn't had much of a way in, this is a good place to start. It runs from 9 AM to 3 PM on Thursday, October 15, at Bells Bend Outdoor Center, 4187 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37218.