Spring Break
Cyclophilia
The Love of Cycling
Jeremy Kinter
Issue date: 9/9/04 Section: News
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What do you get when you combine kids from different backgrounds, mountain bikes, the great outdoors, and dedicated volunteers? You get Jamie Thomson's secret recipe for a healthy community; a program for at-risk children that can give them a better chance in life and society.
Two years ago Thomson received a grant from the Police Athletic League for $10,000, half his proposed amount, to build the foundations for Cyclophia. The wheels didn't start rolling until Specialized, a reputable bike manufacturer, offered Thomson a deal on the bikes. Since then, Cyclophilia has brought 70 local kids and 20 volunteers together to ride through the Gila National Forest and surrounding areas this summer.
In an area where gangs, drugs and unemployment affect virtually everyone, Cyclophilia gives the products of the community - the kids - a chance to change. Cyclophilia revolves around Thomson's philosophy of play. According to Thomson, a nonjudgmental approach to at-risk kids and concrete boundaries allows kids to test basic rules for life, through play. "When you ride together, you pick up on so many social cues," says Thomson. Going on the rides is a privilege. "Our program gives them something positive to belong to."
Andrew Gonzales, now a sixth grader at La Plata Midddle School, became involved in Cyclophilia 4 months ago, at the recommendation of his fifth grade teacher. Gonzales recalls his favorite memory, winning third place in the children's race at last year's Tour of the Gila. "I really like riding bikes more. Its just really fun to do."
But its not all fun and games, says Jamie. Gangs in Silver City have been a major problem in the past, and present.
Thomson says gangs' rules apply only inside the gangs, which isolates the members. When you interact with only one frame of mind of people, you form a brittle structure that breaks at the slightest change. Inside gangs, rules aren't tested, kids can't experiment within gangs - there is nothing to push against. Outside, in the real world, the gangs' rules don't apply. That is essentially what Cyclophilia offers - a sturdy playground for kids to learn how to interact with people.
Two years ago Thomson received a grant from the Police Athletic League for $10,000, half his proposed amount, to build the foundations for Cyclophia. The wheels didn't start rolling until Specialized, a reputable bike manufacturer, offered Thomson a deal on the bikes. Since then, Cyclophilia has brought 70 local kids and 20 volunteers together to ride through the Gila National Forest and surrounding areas this summer.
In an area where gangs, drugs and unemployment affect virtually everyone, Cyclophilia gives the products of the community - the kids - a chance to change. Cyclophilia revolves around Thomson's philosophy of play. According to Thomson, a nonjudgmental approach to at-risk kids and concrete boundaries allows kids to test basic rules for life, through play. "When you ride together, you pick up on so many social cues," says Thomson. Going on the rides is a privilege. "Our program gives them something positive to belong to."
Andrew Gonzales, now a sixth grader at La Plata Midddle School, became involved in Cyclophilia 4 months ago, at the recommendation of his fifth grade teacher. Gonzales recalls his favorite memory, winning third place in the children's race at last year's Tour of the Gila. "I really like riding bikes more. Its just really fun to do."
But its not all fun and games, says Jamie. Gangs in Silver City have been a major problem in the past, and present.
Thomson says gangs' rules apply only inside the gangs, which isolates the members. When you interact with only one frame of mind of people, you form a brittle structure that breaks at the slightest change. Inside gangs, rules aren't tested, kids can't experiment within gangs - there is nothing to push against. Outside, in the real world, the gangs' rules don't apply. That is essentially what Cyclophilia offers - a sturdy playground for kids to learn how to interact with people.
