Local cyclists use their pedal power in different ways

Riders depart Dietz for a 40-mile ride. (Photo by Phyllis McCabe)

Dawn Naccarato of Shokan was 49 years old before she was ever on a mountain bike. Two years later, Naccarato says she owns six bikes and also leads Fats in the Cats Easy Rider groups, teaching newbies the joys of mountain biking. “It’s about getting acclimated and comfortable on the bike, the more you are on the bike the easier it gets,” she said. “In the beginning people might feel uncomfortable till they met everyone in the group. …  First ride I thought I was going to die. We went one and a half miles and spent one hour doing it. When we got back, I was sweating, dying …  I asked the other group how long it would have taken them, they said 15 minutes.” So Naccarato now runs beginner rides for those who don’t want to slow everyone down. Everyone rides together and waits for each other. “There is nothing like taking someone out for their first ride, second ride, and getting back to parking lot and beaming ‘cuz it’s so much fun. … Each time you go out there you get better. You get to see how quickly you improve by doing it. It brings out all the endorphins, it’s a natural antidepressant.” Naccarato said that riders are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear, clothing layers and bring water and a snack.

Did you know Kingston Point has a 1,000-foot-long BMX racetrack with three turns, four straight-aways, 11 jumps and a few other twists? BMX racing is bicycle motocross. Same thing as motocross — they come out of a gate, they jump — only these guys and gals pedal instead of vroom. Dawn Henderson of Ruby has been organizing Kingston Point BMX club and events since her daughter Alaina started racing at 4 years old. Now 20, Alaina, like her siblings, competes on her bike around the world.

This weekend (Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28), Kingston Point BMX will host a national finalist competition with 500 riders competing per day with calls and registration from BMXers from California, Texas, Florida and nearby states.

“We have kids from 3 to 60 years old,” said Henderson. This year they are even offering a Stryder (balance bike with no pedals) bike class. Henderson boasted that thanks to the Stryder class, 3-year-olds can cross the finish line.

“We have families with children racing and their fathers racing with them,” said Henderson. “The best part is watching the tight community these kids make. One guy will fall, and six will come and pick him up. It’s cute how they all work together.”  Though there are more boys than girls, there are plenty of girls tearing up the track. The Wednesday night rides draw roughly 40 riders. Henderson said the availability of sponsorship willing to pay for equipment is abundant.

“The kids get so much out of this,” said Henderson. “It builds so much character. What I liked about it is that it was all my kids care about. If they were bad I would threaten to take it away, and so they behaved. For Christmas, I didn’t have to buy crappy toys, and they take good care of their equipment because they care about it.”

Henderson added that kids with attention deficits and hyperactivity, physical disabilities or whatever other life challenges build confidence, social skills, physical endurance, goals, sportsmanship skills and an overall sense of accomplishment. The kids ride with BMX bikes and full-face helmets, which Henderson has to lend for beginners who want to show up with their regular bike to check it out. For more information on classes and rides, visit the Kingston Point BMX Facebook page.