Bicycle Rodeo

[scoutermomks]

I volunteered to organize our Pack's Bicycle Rodeo this year. Problem is I've never been to one and have no idea what kinds of activities to plan. I'm meeting with our Summer Activities Chair this weekend and I'd like to have some ideas to present. I'm thinking about asking one of the Pack dads who is a local police officer to come and do some safety checks on the boy's bikes and teach them the hand signals. We have also talked about doing a group bike ride on a local bike path. It just seems like there should be more for the boys to do. Has anyone held a Bicycle Rodeo? What were some of the boy's favorite activities?

[dg98adams]

There are several skills events you can do:

 

Slow Ride race - pedal from cone to cone ~100 feet without touching the ground or stopping. Slowest Time wins.

 

Obstacle course: Ride slalom course (around cones, over 2x4, mud puddle, grass/dirt, etc... for points not speed.

 

Card Run (usually known as poker run) - collect cards at each station (bike related safety questions) and compete for the best hand or just to collect cards.

 

Straightest line (6" wide tape on the ground that narrows down to 3" wide that narrows to 1" wide.... how far can a Scout go without going off the tape...

 

Have "how to change a tire" station or "everything you want to know about adding air"

 

 

 

[infoscouter]

The Cub Scout Leader How To Book has a section on this event. There are suggestions on games and activities. Remember, helmets are *required* for all riders at Scout cycling activities.

 

Here are some links to resources:

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/safetyskills/bicyclerodeo.htm

http://www.bike.cornell.edu/pdfs/Bike_Rodeo_404.2.pdf

http://bicycling.about.com/od/organizedbikeevents/a/bikerodeo_event.htm

http://www.cbcef.org/pdf/bike_rodeo06.pdf

[OwntheNight]

Do you have a local bike shop that could bring part of their team out? We had one of the shops come out and they brought a couple guys from their freestyle team to do a demo of freestyle (Think x games) for our pack. They also did full safety inspections and adjustments on all of our participants bikes.

 

Try and find a bike rodeo that's being put on in your area and go visit to see what they do.

 

We've done a rodeo for the last two years and the boys and their families loved. We included all riders, even siblings.

 

A couple of events the kids really enjoyed:

Stop on a dime- Riders build up speed and then try and stop before getting to a predetermined line. We measured from the tire to the line to determine closest without going over. Of course, the boys turned it into the biggest skid mark competition, and the girls ran away with that one!

 

The skills events definitely challenged the boys, but they enjoyed it. It wasn't just about speed. There had to be some finesse as well.

 

Good Luck, and don't forget water stations for staff and riders!

[scoutermomks]

Thanks for the suggestions! I do have the How-To Book at home so I'll check it out. I did talk to our Summer Program chair about doing an obstacle course and she seemed less than thrilled with that idea. I'm not sure if I wasn't getting my idea across clearly or if it's something the pack has never done before and she's afraid of change I also like the Stop on a Dime idea. I think most of our boys are more interested in going as fast as they can and don't think about stopping!

[SSScout]

All good ideas... Partner with a local bike shop, and contact a local bike club, I recommend the League of American Bicyclists (usta be League of American Wheelmen). They sponsor Effective Cycling classes and love to come to schools and talk to kids. I dare say the local Bicycling Merit Badge Counselor may be a member.

 

http://www.bikeleague.org/

 

Bicycling Belt Loop!!

 

http://usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/sports/bicycling.asp

 

May is National Bicycling Month !!