PHILANTHROPIC VOLUNTEERISM
Those who know my personality understand the steadily burning passion for mentoring others and sharing exploration into the great Northern Minnesota outdoors. I am one of the community parents that has volunteered and coached numerous youth sports over the past eleven years. With our children now teenagers, those volunteering and coaching days for little league baseball, youth softball, and soccer slowly become sprinkled memories of supporting not only my own children, but giving back to the community and coaching other children to succeed.
Our Redhead Mountain Bike Trail system is supported by a large team of outdoor trail enthusiasts. Trail maintenance is especially important, but these volunteers also dedicate their time to helping our community members and youth discover the numerous outdoor opportunities in their backyard.
I recently hosted a group bike ride with twenty youth and adult mountain bike riders from a local church youth group. One of my goals as Ride the Range’s Redhead MTB Ambassador is to cultivate interest and passion for mountain biking within our local communities. Iron Range communities are blessed with a huge outdoor playground for all ages. Our community's internationally known trail system is a rare gift, and I will continue to encourage residents to take full advantage of this resource that attracts visitors from different states and countries.
Helping to promote youth Redhead immersion was the City of Chisholm’s purchase of thirteen front suspension Rocky Mountain bikes through the Free Wheelers funding. Guiding such a large group can be tricky, especially when gauging the overall group’s riding abilities. We began riding along The High Road and transitioned onto the Rim’s north trail when it was apparent everyone wanted more mileage, but more importantly, the opportunity to jump into the crystal clear and pristine mine pit waters. Riding the full Rim trail North and South is no small feat and adds up to nearly ten miles of riding.
After cooling off, the group fearlessly peddled from the pit back up the North Star, Glen Line, and Spellbound trails. I prepared a fire in one of the fire pits as our group riders trickled back to the trailhead parking lot. With smiles, stories, and anticipation for future trail exploration, the group relaxed and caught their breath. Nothing says Minnesota evenings like sharing hours on the trail, a campfire, and sharing those experiences with friends. Watching the sun set while roasting hot dogs and s’mores over the fire was the perfect ending to a great group ride.
The Free Wheelers Learn to Ride Bike Program is intended to promote outdoor recreation and remove cost barriers for Iron Range youth to try the sport. This program introduces and instills mountain biking skills, friendships, and an appreciation for outdoor physical activity. The Free Wheelers Program is a collaborative effort between Rock Ridge Mountain Bike Team, the City of Chisholm, 30West Fitness and Rec Bike Shop, and Iron Range Off-Road Cyclists. The equipment is city-owned, while volunteers teach and administer the programming. Our shared goal is to offer free mountain biking opportunities to area youth, with the understanding that youth are this region and Redhead’s mountain biking future.
More information on the Free Wheelers biking opportunities, please visit Chisholm’s website at: https://www.ci.chisholm.mn.us/freewheelersbikeprogram
Written by Redhead Ambassador, Matthias Norenberg (aka Guy Thompson)