Shared by Mason Jolly, Marketing Intern, as Guest Blogger.

Mountain biking is not only a hobby but a way of life and Richmond Cycling Corps has teamed up with Pocahontas State Park to revitalize their mountain biking trails. 

Matt Crane and Craig Dodson brought seven of their kids in their Richmond Cycling Corp to Pocahontas State Park Tuesday July 29^th through Thursday July 31^st. Their mission: to help clean up and create easier riding on the trails at Pocahontas.  They stayed for three days and in that time removed irritating logs, cut down low hanging branches and even filled some holes that would otherwise create disturbances for riders. 

The Richmond Cycling Corps team before heading out to work on the Pocahontas Trails

When arriving at the campsite the first sight was Craig Dodson, the founder of RCC, playing football with the kids who seemed like they were enjoying their stay. This is really what Pocahontas tries to provide for each family visiting. Each member of the team had an aura about them which could be summed up in one word; commitment. I realized that the aura one could feel ran much deeper than what was originally anticipated.

The “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop" motto is perfect for RCC

It works well with their events both on and off the trail. These kids have become a close family through this organization. The bonds created through their hard work and dedication transfers into their everyday lives to help each other better themselves. They are committed to not only their work but also each other and themselves which results in hard work paying off. These kids have found something that they are truly adamant about.  Many of them have been with RCC for two or more years.  Biking is not only a sport to them. It becomes a way of life just like how a runner goes out each day.

During my interview with Matt Crane he spoke of the purpose of RCC. That purpose is to change the lives of youth who live in Richmond’s public housing projects through mountain biking. During our interview Matt spoke about how RCC is committed to these kids and how actions speak louder than words. Right now RCC is building a mountain bike terrain park in the Richmond housing projects of which has never been done before. That says a lot! Commitment is one of the main teachings that they instill into these kids while showing them that their contribution matters and if you work hard enough at something it will always pay off in the end. He stated how the kids see how their “hard work pays off” and readies them for real work experience. 

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: a new beginning for mountain biking at Pocahontas State Park

This company is dedicated to these kids and I have seen this first hand. These kids have become a tight family through this corporation and have created a tight bond with each other.  Some of them ride competitively for the Armstrong high school cycling team. Mountain biking has become a sport that these kids can enjoy for the rest of their life. I encourage you to go out to Pocahontas State Park and try out our new improved trails yourself and if you wish to thank Richmond Cycling Corp for all of their effort you can by visiting their website here.  

Learn more about Pocahontas State Park here