Two Wheel View : TFK FAQs

Trips for Kids
Mountain Biking
Environmental Education
FUN for everyone!

1. What is the most important thing(s) to remember?

Two Wheel View Calgary is a youth oriented organization. All activities should be geared towards making the day great for kids. While the rides and conversation is always enjoyable, we make sure the pace and content are appropriate to the children we are serving. Also remember, perception counts, there are sensitivities about volunteers and children in today's society.

2. What is the message to the kids? To the volunteers?

Our goal is to make the children who paticipate in our program more aware of the need for a healthy lifestyle (physical activity, nutrition and awareness of their surroundings) while providing them ride related pearls of wisdom such as: look where you go, look to your future. Don't let obstacles stand in your way, it's all about control and balance, on the trail and in life. Our message to the volunteers promotes the same message of physical activity and awareness of current health issues related to obesity and diabetes.

3. Are the rides fun?

You bet, especially for the kids. We often encounter wildlife on the trail and the volunteers often learn as much as the children. These rides may not be the best aerobic workout, but all of our volunteers to date have stated enjoyment in their participation.

4. Do all volunteers ride?

No, some have never been on a bike with us preferring to help set up the events and serve lunch or do fundraising functions or bike rodeos.

5. Is Two Wheel View / Trips for Kids insured?

Yes

6. What training is required?

Basic volunteers require no formal training. For those volunteers becoming ride leaders with us we do require CPR training and a police background search.

7. Will Two Wheel View / Trips for Kids - Calgary cover these costs?

Yes

8. what is the age range for day trip rides?

Ages 12 to 17

Before the Ride:

1. What preparation goes into each ride?

In short, the week prior to the ride, confirmation calls with the children's group to find out how many attendees can be expected and to verify that all the children have waivers signed by parents. Volunteer participation needs to be verified as well. Bike preparation must take place. Food must be purchased and weather checked. Ensuring there are no major events going on at the ride location.

2. What if a child doesn't have a waiver?

If a child shows up without a signed waiver, he (she) can not ride. A volunteer from the children's organization or a volunteer with a police background search on file with TWV should stay with him/her until the riders return.

3. How do the kids get to the rides?

Usually the children arrive at the ride location via transportation through their sponsoring agency.

4. What adult to child ratio do you have during these rides?

We try to achieve a 1 to 3 adult to child ratio. At least one adult must be CPR trained on every ride. If the group is larger and is required to split up due to differences in skills, each subsequent group must have one CPR and background checked rideleader.

5. What if it rains?

If the rain fell heavy the previous night making the trails unrideable we move ride location to a paved trail or cancel it that morning if the rain is still ongoing. If it starts raining during an event, it is up to the ride leader to determine if a ride can continue. The ride is immediately discontinued if there is lightning and thunder presence.

During the Ride:

1. What is the event routine?

We generally start at the ride location fitting helmets first and filling water bottles. We generally circle up to get to know each other a little (maybe play a game). Ask the children if they ate breakfast if not provide them a snack before the ride. Bikes should stay put until after this, once the children are on the bike it is hard to get them to focus on anything else. Bike fitting takes place and simple instructions on shifting and braking are given and the ride begins on an easy trail. As the ride progresses the ride leader assesses the group's ability and decides how much riding should be done. Upon return. The children washup and help prepare lunch and then after lunch they help clean up and put the bikes back in the trailer.

2. What if the groups get split up?

The group may get split up intentionally or unintentionally. Radios or use of a volunteer is a good manner to continue contact between the groups. On an unintentional split up the lead group should stop and use the rest opportunity to do some light mentoring to the children. If you are the last volunteer (the sweep) never let a child get behind you.

3. What if the group has a wide variety of skills?

This happens often, if there are 2 rideleaders, the group can split up. If there is only one rideleader present, the group should stay together and cater to the slower riders. Having uphill races and obstacle challenges keeps the ride interesting for the more aggressive riders who are asked to be patient.

4. What if a child gets hurt?

Almost on every ride a child will fall from their bike. Our ride leaders carry a medical kit and a cell phone on rides. Since our rides take place in easy accessible areas, help is always near by. A determination should be made by the rideleader towards the child's need for medical assistance and their ability to continue to ride. If emergency medical attention is required the child's medical information is on file with trips for Kids as well as their contact information.

5. What if a volunteer gets hurt?

A volunteer will make their own determination on if they wish to proceed. We ask that all volunteers be of good basic health before going on a ride with us. If we feel a volunteer isn't fit to continue on a ride we may kindly request that they rest and wait for us to return or slowly make their way back to the starting area.

6. What if a child is missing?

By following the directions, this should never happen. If it does the ride leader should gather the group together and stay in one location, find out where the child was last seen and if there are 2 rideleaders present; one can backtrack to that location. After it has been determined the child is truly missing notify the park, and head back to the starting area as a group.

7. What if a volunteer is missing?

A rideleader, or a volunteer may be sent after the missing volunteer. No call will be made to the park authorities unless there is reason to believe something is seriously wrong (health issue).

8. What if a child and a volunteer are missing?

Once it is determined they are truly missing. Contact the park authorities immediately and unless instructed otherwise return to the ride start location.

9. What shouldn't I do?

You shouldn't curse, show disrespect to others and the environment, and ride recklessly.

10. What if a bike malfunctions?

This is an excellent educational opportunity and a chance to give those children who are less fit a chance to rest if there are adequate volunteers. The rideleader has tools to repair most situations.

11. What if the bike is unrepairable?

If it is a child's bike or a rideleader's bike, every effort should be made to switch bikes with adult volunteer (this may require several bike switches to get the most appropriate fits) and the ride should continue while the adult walks the bike back to the start location or an appropriate drop-off point. If it's a volunteer's bike, the volunteer should head back to the start location on foot or go to an appropriate drop off point or use the cell phone to get help.

After the Ride:

1. What happens after the ride?

The children are asked to evaluate their experience and we provide them a nutritious lunch and have them help clean up and put the bikes away (remove front wheels from bikes and then we coordinate with their agency representative to ensure they are safely returned home.

2. Do the children get to keep the equipment?

Please contact Rick McFerrin at (403) 698-9418 for more information.