The Seattle-area youth cycling scene has numerous bright spots, but the brightest is no doubt the Major Taylor Project, stewarded by Coach Ed Ewing.
The Major Taylor Project is a bit of counterpoint to recreational cycling’s predominately white, male, and relatively affluent demographic (at least in the US). In the Seattle area, the Major Taylor Project is an after-school cycling program for young folks aged 11-18 that integrates cycling, healthy living, bicycle maintenance, road safety awareness, and skills that support working toward individual goals. The Major Taylor Project currently operates under the non-profit umbrella of the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation.
Marshall “Major” Taylor was a pioneering turn-of-the-last-century African-American U.S. and world bicycle sprint champion whose vision extended beyond the bicycle to the importance of “the value of good habits and clean living.” Taylor’s strength of will enabled him to overcome the extreme racism of his day to become a world champ on the bike, and at the same time express compassion for the forces against him: “Life is too short for a man to hold bitterness in his heart.”
The Project currently manages six after-school bike clubs in low-income neighborhoods in and around Seattle. Each club holds weekly road rides during the Spring and Fall. During these rides students learn cycling skills, and about fitness and nutrition. The Spring program leads up to a big training ride at the Flying Wheels event, and culminates with most of the kids cycling in the two-day Seattle to Portland event.
During the winter and late summer the Project runs Earn-a-Bike maintenance programs in which students are given donated bikes to work on and taught maintenance skills that range from fixing a flat tire to unpacking a hub. Participants get to keep the bike they’ve been working on at the end of the five week session.
A few days ago Coach Ed and I met and discussed the project at length. Our animated conversation covered how:
Conventional sports programs (sadly being cut from many schools…) aren’t for every kid. (Conventional schooling isn’t for every student either, but that’s a topic for another day…) Cycling provides an outlet for fitness-minded students for whom traditional sports programs aren’t a good match. Cycling as a form of recreation and sport (as opposed to basic transportation) is a bit outside the worldview of the Program’s target demographic, and that alone exposes these kids to a broader set of experiences. As Ed said: “We want to blow these kids’ minds and give them some experiences that will change their lives.” Which is confirmed by one of the students in a promotional video: “…STP opened my eyes…I want to try new things…” Ed and I both agreed that “alternative” sports like cycling can play an important role during the critical pre-teen and teen years.
The other youth cycling programs in Washington are great, but they tend to be aimed toward kids from middle class or above families. Ed mentioned that several of the kids in the Major Taylor Program are demonstrating strong athleticism and competitive urges, but that participating in competitive events is probably not in the cards for them, at least in the near term. Most of the students in the program receive free or reduced lunch, and for them racing fees, gear, and travel would be a luxury. But, the Major Taylor program is planting a seed with these kids that can hopefully blossom as they leave adolescence and their circumstances change.
As a former high school teacher, I’ve always been curious about the relationship between fitness and teen brain development. Within the last five years or so, research has been starting to reveal that improved fitness benefits brain health. For example, a 60-Minutes segment a couple weeks ago (couldn’t find a link to it) focused on high schools that offer optional physical education classes before classes start each day. In one program students raise their heart rates to a target range and hold it for some time period. The kids who participate in this program report increased alertness during their classes, and teachers and administrators are noting improved test results, especially in reading and mathematics. A side benefit of the Major Taylor Project is that it gets kids moving and active, and the athletic success they experience on the bike can benefit them in the classroom both in terms of bolstering their self-esteem, and through the physiological benefits of improved fitness.
The initial reason Ed and I met was to try to figure out a way for Cascade’s High Performance Cycling Team (which I co-manage) to get involved with the Project. For the time being, we decided that it’s a bit premature for our organizations to collaborate, but the Program still has a need for adult mentors. Specifically, Ed is looking for patient but accomplished cyclists who have experience or interest in working with this student population, particularly during the weekday rides, and possibly Flying Wheels. (Ed has plenty of volunteers for STP.) Ed emphasized that volunteers should be prepared to ride SLOW…like 10 mph. For you Type A enthusiasts out there this would be an opportunity to cultivate your inner Zen cyclist AND give back to the community.
Interested? Contact Coach Ed Ewing
More about fitness and academic performance:
Students’ Physical Fitness Associated With Academic Achievement; Organized Physical Activity
Cardiovascular Fitness May Sharpen Mind
Other Seattle-area youth cycling resources:
USA Cycling North West 2011 Athlete Development Camp
WSBA Juniors
Washington High School Cycling League
Revel Consulting-Rad Racing NW
