Future riders

More fun, lower barriers to entry  attract more riders of all ages

By Cristina Kumka

Ben Colona has made mountain biking a family affair — and he supports more of that for more people. As the owner of Base Camp in Killington, former manager of the Killington Bike Park, and now president of the Killington Mountain Bike Club. Colona says he sees many families riding together — and the youngest riders are getting younger. Base Camp now sells 20-inch full-suspension bikes with disc brakes  and for 6- and 7-year olds. They have large tires and really allow young riders to get a feel of the trails. 

Colona was in attendance with his family at the Poultney Learn to Ride Day hosted by Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) and Slate Valley Trails on June 1.  He said the event was important because the sport is fast-evolving. And not only for young riders but new riders of all ages. 

In 2015, the KMBC had no trails built and no members. Now, there are about 20 miles of single track trail and 350 members.

“The trails got more accessible and the bikes got better,” Colona said. 

Colona equated the rise in trail networks throughout Vermont to the low entry barrier, more programs and more beginner-friendly terrain. 

“Gone are the days of bulky external shell padding,” he said. 

But, he added, there is more work to do.

For the average person, the price of bikes is still high but that outweighs the alternative — paying for lift tickets or park entry fees. 

“At the end of the day, with skiing, for example, your equipment is a price but you also have an access price. Mountain biking, it’s just the equipment,” he said. 

The town plans to be a hub on the Velomont Trail — a statewide trail network for mountain biking and camping, a lot like the Long Trail for hikers (see story on page 15).

“There is amazing progress and it’s happening,” he said.