Wheel Fun to open mountain bike club for fourth- and fifth-graders at Del Rio Elementary

Wheel Fun announced a new after-school mountain bike club at Del Rio Elementary in Chino Valley that will be open to fourth- and fifth-grade students and will provide bikes, helmets and other equipment at no cost, program and school representatives said.

The program is a turnkey offering from Wheel Fun, meaning the organization supplies bikes, helmets and all gear needed so the school can run the club without equipment barriers for student participation. The club will be coached by volunteers and held on a nearby plot of land used for trail riding.

"We provide all of the bikes, the helmets, the gear, basically everything the school needs to run this program so that the students can participate, with no barriers to entry," Evan Poulia, executive director for Wheel Fun, said during the presentation. Austin, a volunteer coach with the program, said, "It's gonna be available for fourth and fifth grade, and I'm just so excited to get kids out on the trails, and just so excited to coach."

A Del Rio Elementary staff member said the school values programs that provide opportunities both in and out of the classroom and thanked Wheel Fun for supporting students. School and program representatives said sign-up forms for eligible students will be distributed to fourth- and fifth-graders soon.

Program details provided during the presentation indicate Wheel Fun will handle equipment and basic program setup; specific information about scheduling, duration, supervision ratios, insurance or costs beyond equipment was not specified during the remarks. The presenters identified two volunteer coaches, Austin and Eric, and noted Dr. Moody was present for the rollout.

School leaders and program staff said they expect students to learn riding technique and to use nearby trails and terrain for activities. Additional operational details and a start date are to be provided with the sign-up materials.