Student Bike Club Is Rolling Once Again At Newtown Middle School

By Larissa Lytwyn

On clear Tuesday afternoons, cars passing through Newtown center are likely to spot a single-file line of as many as a dozen or so bicyclists.

Meet the newly resurrected Newtown Middle School Bicycle Club.

The school’s longtime Project Adventure teacher, Chester Washburn, revived the club this fall, several years after its original inception.

“In Project Adventure, a course which is required for all students, the emphasis is not only on physical but mental challenges,” Mr Washburn explained. “All of the activities are based on team effort. I wanted to think of an [after school] activity that could appeal to a range of students.”

He realized he missed the Bicycle Club.

“It was always a lot of fun,” he said, “coming together after school to just enjoy the weather, riding through the neighborhood.”

As soon as the last bell sounded on a recent, gloriously sunny Tuesday afternoon, seventh grader Kevin Walsh raced to the club’s meeting place in front of the school.

“This is my first day,” he said. “I didn’t know anything about the club until I saw a flier for it in the hallway a few days ago. I love riding my bike, so I decided to come.”

As for how students bring their bikes to school, Mr Washburn said with a laugh, “We all have our own unique methods!”

Many of the students’ parents or grandparents drop them off toward the end of the school day, he explained.

“The bikes are stored in the bike rack,” he said. The bike rack is not visible from the street or parking lot.

“We used to have [the bike rack] right in front [of the school],” said Mr Washburn. “But there was some vandalism and a few years ago it was moved to a less-visible part of the school’s property. It’s a very safe location.” 

Students store their helmets and any other equipment they need in their lockers.

“We select different routes every week,” said Mr Washburn. “We try to get out of the busy [Queen Street and Church Hill Road] area as quickly as possible. Once you drive a little ways in any direction, it gets much quieter, and you can find some really nice spots [to ride].”

The group rides approximately six to ten miles in an hour and a half period.

“We’ll be riding until mid-November, hopefully, just as long as we can until the weather gets too cold,” said Mr Washburn. “We also won’t go if it’s raining hard, obviously, or snowing.”

Students said they enjoyed the club because of its social as well as physical benefits.

“It’s a good way to join something with your friends,” said Bryan Wicki. “You can also make [social] new connections through the club.”

Josh Adams agreed. “It’s just fun,” he said simply. “It’s a great way to hang out with your friends.”

His friend Anthony DelVento said his interest in the bike club is related to his recently discovered interest in racing. “I’m doing this to train for [bike] racing,” he said. “But it’s also cool to be with your friends and everything.”

Rachele Cox said she had long enjoyed bike riding.

“But, unfortunately, I live on a dead end, so I don’t have a lot of opportunities to ride regularly,” she said. “This is a great outlet.”

Renee Rushefski shared a similar tale. “I live in a really busy neighborhood,” she said. “So I don’t get a lot of chances to ride. This [bike club] is wonderful.”

Bonnie Lundblad said bicycling was a “great form of exercise.”

“I love enjoying the weather and just getting out there,” she said.

Another student, Brandon Marshall, agreed, “I love riding. I never get a chance to otherwise, and it’s a good way to exercise.”

“Everyone really enjoys it,” Mr Washburn echoed. “And the thing that is particularly special about bike riding is that any one can do it. You don’t have to be particularly athletic. You could be an average athlete or the captain of the football team and it doesn’t matter. I love that about bicycling — it has a really wide appeal.”

Additionally, he continued, most children have bicycles.

“It’s a great way for them to really utilize their bikes,” he said.

Helmets are strictly required for all riders.

For more information on participating in the Bicycle Club, contact Mr Washburn at 426-7638.