RIDGWAY – It must be nice having a former World Champion mountain biker as your coach.
That’s what kids in Ridgway can look forward to this fall as Ridgway Devo, under the experienced leadership of Sara Ballantyne (three-time World Champion, 1987-89) continues its run of excellence.
Now in its third year, Ridgway Devo was started by former bike shop owners Randy and Jen Charrette. Ballantyne was one of their coaches. But now the Charrettes are moving on, and Ballantyne is taking over the reins, or the derailleurs, as it were.
“We started riding on the coattails of Durango Devo,” Ballantyne said. “Mainly for insurance reasons, under their umbrella organization. Devo started over there. They’ve got 250 kids in it now; Durango is such a cycling Mecca. But we’ve got over 20 kids here in Ridgway now. And it’s only going to grow.”
Ridgway Devo takes kids from age 6 up to 18 and teaches them in age and skill-specific categories, with two coaches per group. “I say age 6 for the youngest, but really anyone who can handle a 20-inch wheel size,” Ballantyne said. “With the invention of Strider bikes, kids are getting into it younger and younger. Gone are the days of training wheels.”
The fall session (the first one offered; Devo has heretofore been a spring program) runs Sept. 19 to Oct. 10. Groups meet Wednesdays after school at the gazebo in Town Park and ride from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Cost is $60 for the four weeks.
“We work on skills at the pump track,” Ballantyne said. “We work the local mountain bike trails. And, in the past, we’ve taken a couple of road trips. We’ll load up the bikes and go ride the Dallas Divide Trail, or a trail up in the Telluride region,” said Ballantyne, who looks forward to riding through the fall colors.
Ballantyne hopes folks will sign up by the Sept. 12 registration deadline. “Or they can register the day of, for $5 more. Send checks to Ridgway Devo, 99 Meadows Circle, 81432.
“Last spring, every Wednesday night was the highlight of my week,” she said.
pshelton@watchnewspapers.com
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