The BLACK SWAMP RIDERS
Mission
The mission of the Black Swamp Riders is character development using mountain biking as a tool. No kids sit the bench. Some of the kids are really fast, some barely finish, but all of them will learn how hard work results in self-improvement. They will also learn resilience in the face of adversity and to manage the things that are within their control. These are life lessons every kid should learn. We teach these through a sport which, unlike football or wrestling, they can continue to pursue their entire lives.
This is Northwest Ohio's first interscholastic mountain bike team. The team was founded in 2021 with 22 riders. We had 35 riders in 2022.
Practice and Planning
During the 2021 & 2022 seasons we practiced Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00 pm to 7:30pm. Tuesday practices at Oak Openings and Thursday practices at Ottawa Park. There were a few early season "adventure rides" when we traveled to regional trails to experience new trails and terrain on Saturdays or Sundays. We participated in 5 weekend race events starting in August - October.
The 2023 season race details have not been arranged. The practice plan will be the same as previous years.
Practices, adventure rides and races are not mandatory. We begin the season with some skills drills and games to ensure kids have the basic bike handling skills to safely begin riding trails.
Black Swamp Rider Communication
If you are interested, email us
Contact Info
Team Director: Gino Torio, ginotorio@msn.com
Team Email teamblackswampriders@gmail.com (received by coaches and team admins).