Black Swamp Riders is Northwest Ohio's first interscholastic mountain bike team. The team was founded in 2021 and has grown to 58 registered riders in the 2023 season. In November 2023, The Black Swamp Riders joined with The Right Direction, a 501c3 Charity that introduces kids to various action sports to help teach all the lessons that those activities offer. If you would like to help with our mission, consider a donation. Our name is a nod to the people who originally lived in Northwest Ohio, a region referred to as The Great Black Swamp, who overcame the hardships of living in the swamp and built a great place to live.
The mission of the Black Swamp Riders is character development applying mountain biking as a tool for that development. Some of the kids are really fast, some barely finish, but all of them will learn how hard work results in self-improvement. These are life lessons every kid should learn. So in this program no kids sit the bench, all the kids participate, every minute of every event. We teach life lessons through a sport which, unlike football or wrestling, they can continue to pursue their entire lives.
The Right Direction Developmental Youth Program
This program gives kids the opportunity to excel in something they already have an interest in.
“Action sports encourage healthy risk-taking, perseverance, and resiliency.
Hard work is necessary for success in action sports.” impact in the community.
1. Aug 24-25: Merrell Trail
2. Sep 7-8: Addison Oaks
3. Sep 14-15: Owasippe Scout Reservation
4. Sep 21-22: Maybury State Park
5. Oct 5-6: Stony Creek Metropark
6. Oct 12-13: Heritage Park
We are an independent mountain bike club that:
No Dig, No Ride. Trail-building:
Most mountain bike trails in the US would not exist without volunteers. That is true for trails in Northwest Ohio as well. In addition to actually creating and maintaining the trails, those volunteer hours show park managers how important the trails are to the community. This type of information influences future land access, funding and even legislative decisions.
Your donation will help us continue our mission and support our community. Every dollar counts and will help keep the costs for families affordable.
email us at:
teamblackswampriders@gmail.com
or
Have a question or a suggestion? We're always here to help. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
email us at:
Team Director: Gino Torio, ginotorio@msn.com
Team Email teamblackswampriders@gmail.com (received by coaches and team admins).
Team members find all race and practice information along with current events.
Find out what we are working on and join the fun! There is something for everyone.
Ride with friends, make new friends,
Check out NW Ohio trails, see conditions, update conditions and more on the latest trail conditions.