The Bike Duluth Festival concluded its 10th anniversary celebrations on Sunday at Spirit Mountain, spotlighting a key component of the event: adaptive mountain biking.
Adaptive mountain bikes (A-MTBs) are designed to enable individuals with limited or no lower extremity function to experience the thrill of mountain biking. The festival’s adaptive events saw enthusiastic participation, underscoring the growing importance of inclusivity in cycling.
On Saturday, Northland Adaptive Recreation took center stage at Spirit Mountain, offering attendees the chance to test out adaptive bikes and receive specialized training. Eric Larson, Manager at Northland Adaptive, highlighted the organization’s commitment to promoting trail accessibility for adaptive bikes.
“While many local trails are designed primarily for standard two-wheeled bikes, it’s crucial that we also consider trails suitable for beginner riders of all kinds. This includes young children on strider bikes or older individuals new to the sport on e-bikes,” Larson explained.
The impact of these efforts is evident. Larson noted that just four years ago, only one adaptive athlete participated in the festival, but this year, the number swelled to around 15 participants.
Among the festival’s attendees was Brian Carlson from Arkansas, who traveled specifically to take part. “For me, with mobility challenges, the bike isn’t just a tool for exercise; it’s my gateway to the outdoors. It’s my ticket to experiencing nature,” Carlson shared.
The festival’s focus on adaptive mountain biking continues to drive progress in making outdoor activities more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
related topics:
