After almost 40 years of helping put young people on bikes, it’s only fitting that we start to see the next generation attending BWorks programs. In just the past couple months we have had two different students share that one of their parents remembers attending BWorks programs when they were young!
That includes recent Learn-To-Ride graduate Kyndal. Her mom, Ashley Walker, recently took the time to recall some of her fondest memories of BWorks as a child. Ashley tells us that one of the main volunteers who worked with her years ago was named Cindy, who would accompany the students on weekend rides “as we would build up our endurance to tackle the ultimate challenge, which was our big ride and campout.” Eventually, over the course of a couple years of involvement in alumni rides, Ashley and other students completed the entire Katy Trail within four or five days.
“I did not miss a mile, and I was so proud of myself,” she recalls.
BWorks’ headquarters were smaller at the time, located in the Shaw neighborhood, than the current BWorks digs where Ashley’s daughter, Kyndal, recently attended classes. But as much as some things have changed, the heart of the operation still feels familiar to Ashley as she watches her daughter now participating in the programs, including Learn-To-Ride.
“She was initially nervous to remove her training wheels, but I knew that once she gained the confidence she would love biking like I did,” Ashley says. “She met a new friend [in Learn-To-Ride], and she is learning new skills and surprising herself with her achievements. She is learning to be more aware and having self control, both vital skills for life. This is a full-circle experience to have my daughter come through the program and learn about bicycles just like me.”
The importance of both being able to ride safely and take care of one’s bike is a life lesson that still sticks with Ashley. Even if she doesn’t remember every detail, she still recalls “many of the basics.” And the underlying confidence BWorks programs instilled in her was huge.
“As a child, I learned that I could challenge myself and push beyond my soreness and complete many miles of biking. … I also learned that I could do basic repairs on my bike and that I could navigate driving with traffic from the programs at BWorks.”
Ashley adds that she’s grateful to the current BWorks team for its commitment to teaching kids important life skills.
“Thanks for being a part of our village to help Kyndal gain confidence in herself and her abilities,” she says. Comment end