Outride’s Riding for Focus (R4F) middle school cycling education program provides a great place for students to learn the basics of bike riding, equipping them with the skills to ride safely and confidently. The program is now in over 350 schools across the USA and Canada, reaching over 50,000 students each year. The majority of students who participate in the program report an increased interest in riding beyond the school day, acting as a great jumping off point for other cycling activities, be it riding for transportation, participating in a local National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) league, sparking interest in bike mechanic programs like Project Bike Tech, and beyond.

One school participating in the R4F program is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Germantown, Maryland. John Glodek, the physical education teacher there, has been implementing R4F since 2018 and estimates he has taught over 1600 students in R4F classes since then. Glodek has seen the power of the bike transform his students, and added, “the positive impact of the Riding for Focus Program has reached beyond our school day inspiring students to ride with family and friends on the weekend, earn a new bike to explore their neighborhoods, and even begin riding with the local NICA racing programs across our county!”

James Lawrence, now a sophomore in high school, was one of Mr. Glodek’s R4F students. For James, participating in R4F planted the seed for a broader interest in mountain biking, and he’s now actively engaged in his school Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League (MICL) NICA team. Mr. Glodek recently caught up with James and asked him all about his experience in R4F and his development as a NICA athlete — we hope you enjoy their conversation below!

Mr. John Glodek: James, can you tell us your name, current school and grade level, and MICL Team?

James:

Name: James Lawrence

Current School: Poolesville High School

Grade: 10th grade

MICL Team: MOCO S’MORES Composite Team

Mr. Glodek: How long did you participate in the Riding for Focus Program?

James: I participated through 6th grade. Then COVID happened through most of 7th. Then I was back to school in 8th grade. I participated when it was available throughout my middle school years.

Mr. Glodek: What are some of the positive experiences you remember from the Riding for Focus Program?

James: There are several positive experiences I remember from the Riding for Focus Program. The most positive experience was being able to get out everyday to exercise with peers and be out in nature. I was able to discover the beauty of the surrounding park, Black Hills Park. I began to bike more during my free time and discover my passion for mountain biking.

Mr. Glodek: Do you think the Riding for Focus program contributed positively to your wellness? If so, how?

James: Riding for Focus definitely contributed positively to my wellbeing and it still continues to. The program encouraged me to push forward and challenge myself, which has led to successes in my life both academically and other extracurricular activities. Riding for Focus showed me that riding and getting out in nature is a great way to clear my mind and take my mind off stresses like school work.

James back in middle school during R4F class.

Mr. Glodek: What advice would you give a student who is new to the Riding for Focus Program?

James: The advice I would give to a student who is new to Riding for Focus would be to take full advantage of this opportunity to participate in such a unique program. Very few schools provide this opportunity for students to get out and appreciate the outdoors on a daily basis so try to immerse yourself in it and think of the benefits it offers beyond just biking.

Mr. Glodek: Do you think the Riding for Focus program prepared you for NICA? If so, how?

James: Riding for Focus helped prepare me for racing and NICA, because it taught me a lot about key skills and safety that I did not consider before, as well as, teaching me how to ride in a group. The after-school club also helped me to learn about riding on trails and building trail skills by riding so often.

Mr. Glodek: What got you interested in joining a MICL/NICA Team?

James: Before I entered middle school and joined the Outride Program I never thought about racing and mainly just rode recreationally with my dad. However, once I joined the program and the after-school club, I realized that I really enjoyed riding and getting out in the woods to ride with friends, while building confidence in my skills. I learned that I was actually a pretty good rider. This newly discovered passion led me to want to bike more outside of school so I looked online for groups and teams in the area. My research led to finding the MICL/ NICA Team.

Mr. Glodek: How has racing gone? What aspects of the racing do you enjoy?

James: Ever since I joined the team and started to ride more seriously, I have benefited positively from all of the aspects of racing in a team environment from riding with friends in practices and group rides by working together to challenge each other in races. One of my favorite parts of racing is the rush you get from pushing yourself when you are chasing the person in front of you to avoid losing them. There is a complete satisfaction from turning it up to pass someone on a long hill or during a sprint in the finish chute after chasing them to get within distance to have the opportunity to pass them.

James at a MICL race, taking the top step!

Mr. Glodek: Your sister is in the Riding for Focus program, what is that like? How do you think it has impacted her wellness?

James: I am glad that my sister also had the opportunity to be in the Outride Program. I strongly encouraged her to join. When she decided to join the program, I was happy for her, because I have experienced and still reap the benefits from having been a part of the program. I hope she gets as much out of the program as I did and discovers that getting out into nature or doing a sport or hobby you are passionate about can be good for your physical well being and mental health. Just to have that break in the day to focus on something other than school and get outside is reason enough to join.

I would, also, like to mention how fortunate my sister and I are to have been taught by Mr. Glodek, who has been a excellent role model for me throughout my mountain biking journey and is someone to look up to as a rider. He always stays positive, patient, and encouraging by treating his students with respect and understanding. He emphasizes safety and creates an environment, where students are eager to ride and have fun improving their skills.