Slate Valley Trails, with the help of some awesome volunteers, is hosting a Kids Ride on Wednesday, August 7th and the 14th from 5:30-6:30PM. Arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and get ready to ride. Rides will aim to end at 6:30PM, but we will gather after to eat any dinner you may have brought at the trailhead.

NOTE: SEE POST ON VT 140 BRIDGE CLOSURE (7/24 or 25 for 28 days) TO DETERMINE BEST DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO FAIRGROUNDS TRAILHEAD

What to Expect
The Kids Ride is geared toward kids of any age who are looking to learn new skills, who are just starting to ride on trails, to those who maybe have been riding and want to meet other riders, and have fun! Riders will be organized into groups based on age and skills where possible. One group will stay closer to the trailhead to work on skills (Strider bikes and beginner level). Another group will ride a beginner trail at the Fairgrounds network. All kids in a group will stick together and ride at a casual pace.

If you have a middle-schooler or teen who wants to ride, and its mostly younger kids, we can have the middle schooler or teen help lead the younger students, or if enough volunteers, we can take them on some other loops that are skill-level appropriate.

Role of Parents or Guardians
Parents or guardians are welcome to ride. This is not a drop off. As cell service is non-existent at the trailhead, adults that are not volunteering or riding, need to stay on-site during the program.

What to Bring
Children and adults must bring a bike, wear properly fitting helmets and closed toe footwear. Bicycles must have hand brakes, and remember to safety check bicycles prior to attending to make sure everything is tight and in working order. Additionally, bring your own water bottle and bug spray, and check for ticks post-ride. Please leave your dogs at home (sorry).

Need a Bike?
If a parent or guardian, or child wants to ride, and needs a bicycle, and is a resident of Castleton or Poultney, you may rent a bicycle at a discount from Johnson and Son Bike Works through the Library Bike Pass program available at the Poultney Public Library or the Castleton Free Library. If you are not a resident, you may also get a rental discount if you mention you are participating in this SVT program.
Poultney Public Library: (802) 287-5556
Castleton Free Library: (802) 468-5574

Signing Up
If you think you can make it an RSVP is highly suggested, but not required. Fill out this RSVP FORM https://forms.gle/9GqrXiWyPvqYe7FH6
if you think you can make it! Once you register, you will be emailed a PDF of a waiver. If possible, please print and sign in advance, to save time on the day of.

Weather/ Rain Date
If weather doesn’t cooperate, we will try to send out a Facebook Update and Instagram Update, later in the afternoon, but we likely will make the call from the Trailhead (where there is no cell coverage). We got lucky this Wednesday and only had sprinkles!

In order to make this work for the rest of the summer and for next season, we will be seeking more volunteers (teens to adult) to assist. If you’d like to volunteer, email Silvia at silvia@slatevalleytrails.org. We are really excited to host this event!