Last spring, Patagonia neighbors Steve Watts and Rob Broadfoot discovered they had similar passions for helping young people get more involved with sports and outdoor activities, particularly bicycling.
Before moving to Patagonia in 2021, Watts helped develop a nationally recognized cycling-based education program that he implemented in several states and the Navajo Nation. He and his wife were drawn to Patagonia after enjoying winter cycling in the Tucson area since the early 1990s.
Broadfoot and his wife arrived in Patagonia in 2017 after 45 years coaching soccer and alpine skiing at high schools in New England, and training young Olympians at the National Sports Academy.
After retiring, he was recruited by a former student to lead cycling tours in the Tucson area, which is how he discovered Patagonia. He quickly got involved in youth activities here, starting the soccer programs at the middle and high schools, and joining the Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center (PYEC)’s board of directors.
Wanting to further support local youth, Watts and Broadfoot contacted Anna Coleman, director of PYEC, about starting a bike-riding program for its younger members in early 2024. She enthusiastically agreed, welcoming new biking activity at the Center.
Coleman’s husband, Steve, had led a bike program there several years ago where youth built BMX bikes and covered basic maintenance. “Participants learned to ride with safety and respect for themselves, others, the bikes, and the trails and environment,” Coleman said.
“I have always been concerned with how my athletes can stay active and have a healthy lifestyle beyond school team involvement,” Broadfoot said. “Given Patagonia’s growing cycling scene, it seemed like a natural progression to help Patagonia youth get more involved in this lifetime sport.”
Fifth grade and middle school is the “sweet spot” to build kids’ enthusiasm and skills for biking, according to Watts. “They are ready—physically, emotionally, and socially—to take the next step with cycling. They are motivated by biking’s benefits for transportation, independence, and doing things with friends. It’s an important age for developing life-long interest in all kinds of outdoor activities, not just biking.”
With startup funds donated by local supporters of cycling and youth programs, and bikes provided by Bob’s Free Bikes for Kids in Phoenix, Watts and Broadfoot piloted the program with three rides last spring. They rounded up bikes for the riders, packed up snacks, and headed out on Patagonia’s roads and trails. Upon returning to PYEC, they celebrated each successful adventure with a cookout. The program’s bikes are kept at PYEC between rides.
Safety is paramount, of course, and developing riders’ safety awareness and riding skills are key parts of the program. Mountain bikes are best for this age, said Watts, as “they are rugged, responsive, and easiest to control in all conditions.”
Routes are chosen for fun, variety, and moderate challenge that fits riders’ skill levels. They include stops for “sessioning” where they pause for repeat practice going over tricky spots, like rocks, sand, and washes. Watts and Broadfoot saw riders’ confidence and enthusiasm grow with each ride.
Broader benefits
Once youth are introduced to bicycling, benefits can grow far beyond the time spent pedaling. Over their years with youth cycling programs, Watts and Broadfoot have consistently seen reduced screen time, improved confidence and social skills, and increased participation in other types of sports and activities among participants and their families.
Biking programs can tie in with schools, too. Patagonia Middle School recently gave the go-ahead for Watts to apply for a grant to bring Riding For Focus, a research-based, 14-lesson program, to the school’s PE classes. If awarded, the grant would include specialized brand Rockhopper bikes, helmets, curriculum materials, and training for two instructors.
Then there are the academic and career benefits that can grow with a student’s interest. Bikes need repair and maintenance, and offer hands-on examples of engineering, industrial design, problem-solving, and practical applications of math and physics. Particularly with rising needs for e-bike service, bike technology is both a growing career path itself, and a doorway to other fields like auto mechanics and electric vehicle (EV) maintenance, avionics, and engineering in general.
There are high school programs that offer further study. Professionally, Watts is Program Director at Project Bike Tech, a national nonprofit that developed an accredited curriculum called Bike Tech in Schools. The program uses bicycle mechanics to teach Common CORE and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) elements. Students gain skills to work as a professional bicycle mechanic, and get exposed to career possibilities in engineering, fabrication, marketing and more. Watts and Broadfoot hope to bring Project Bike Tech in Schools to Patagonia High School some day.
Next step: PYEC Spring Program
Watts and his buddies from the Prodigal Dog Band recently held a fundraiser at Patagonia Lumber Company which got things rolling to cover two months of insurance.
There is also the challenge of finding suitable bikes in a range of sizes, because accessibility is key to the whole program. Two more bikes were donated to the fall fundraiser by local residents. Patagonia bike mechanic Aastral Muench got them refurbished, tuned up and ready to go, along with five little kids’ bikes from Bob’s Free Bikes to give away for Christmas presents.
Best of all, on December 23, Coleman was notified that PYEC had been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and the H.S. Lopez Family Foundation. The grant will cover a year of insurance, plus parts and snacks. “Christmas came early!” Steve Watts exclaimed.
Developing a biking ecosystem
“We want to add value to the community based on what the community values,” Watts said. “That includes healthy kids who are engaged and active, and see future career and lifestyle paths for themselves.”
It takes a multi-layer ecosystem to support youth cycling over time. First are the young participants themselves. Next comes the trails and paths to ride on. Bike techs are needed for repairs, and to teach riders basic maintenance steps. Coaches, mentors, influencers and role models spark encouragement and enthusiasm. The community contributes unused bikes to turn into free bikes for kids.
Luckily, all of those things are happening in Patagonia, and will continue to grow with community awareness and support. For more information, or to donate money or a mountain bike to Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center’s Spring Cycling program, contact Steve Watts at stevenup@gmail.com.