Learning Lessons, Building Relationships
Norte's youth bike programs have a powerful impact on families, as is the case for the Janis family. Last year, Roman upgraded to a geared bike. Then, he and his dad, Max, began riding with Norte.
Roman, now 6 and a half, has been riding since he was two years old, then rolling on a balance bike and, according to his dad, quickly moving up to a pedal bike. Roman proudly remembers the day he took off the training wheels.
"I was brave enough to go down a hill," said Roman. "I started rolling—and I didn't fall. It felt good."
Max has been mountain biking since 2016 when a friend invited him. "The first time I clipped into the pedals, I fell over in the parking lot in front of all the racehorses from Hagerty," said Max. "I got hooked. I often felt like I was holding people up. So it was nice that a few people took me under their wings."
Roman had a similar experience after his dad started to coach with Norte. He started riding with coach Carole and a team of other young riders. He admits that his confidence increased during the five-week season last fall.
SAVE THE DATE!
Registration dates for spring programs (Adventure Bike Club, Mountain Bike Team, Balance Bike Club) and Summer Bike Camp open on February 1 and 15, respectively. This year we're offering more slots for riders and additional learning and community opportunities through More Girls on Bikes and Norte Race Team.
Reminder, thanks to the generous support of the community, full and partial scholarships are available. And, if you're ready to coach, we need you!
"It was good to ride with other kids," he said. "I liked riding next to the water and learning to jump." Roman insists he can jump up to three feet now.
After the season, Roman committed to riding in the 8-mile-long Slush Cup during the Iceman Cometh. Max wasn't 100% sure Roman was up for the entire course, so they took a practice run. On the practice run, they took a lot of breaks. Nevertheless, they conquered a few near falls along the way and made it.
Then, a few days before the Saturday race, Roman told his dad he didn't want to race. Max, who had transferred from the 30-mile race to ride with Roman, encouraged Roman to follow through.
They both were glad he persevered through the race jitters. "He came to the first hill, and a dozen kids were walking up the hill," said Max, with Roman correcting him on the number.
"I got in front of everyone in my group," says Roman. "On this big hill, everyone was walking. No one was biking it except for me." He ended the race without stopping and ahead of his wave.
Max and Roman are now looking forward to another season on the trails with Norte this spring. Norte's programs help children like Roman improve their bike skills and gives them the confidence to push beyond their limits and achieve their goals. It also helps build lasting relationships with other riders, coaches, and family.
*Max Janis is owner of Maxwell Medals & Awards, a Lux Business Champion with Norte.
