Photos by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

We were back in Vermont’s beautiful Northeast Kingdom for the 3rd Annual KBF aMTB Camp from October 3rd – 6th. It was our biggest aMTB camp yet with 14 adaptive riders! We had participants who were brand new to aMTB and others who had received a grant from us and were learning to use their new bikes. We also had three mentors including our Program Director Greg Durso, Sierra Roth an aMTB’er from BC, Canada who holds a Level 2 aMTB certification and gets so many women out on bikes, and Joe Stone, aMTB’er and the Executive Director of Teton Adaptive Sports in Jackson Wyoming. All three were invaluable in providing insight into adaptive riding for the group. 

Campers had three days of skill development and camaraderie. Day 1 started off learning the basics in the “cone zone” before progressing to navigating uneven terrain, bridges, and the pump track before riding a 5-mile loop on the Kingdom Trails. Day 2 had campers headed to Wildflower Backyard with a nice morning climb watching the clouds burn off of the trails. At the pump track, participants practiced cornering on berms and more flowy fast obstacles. After a 35-person party train and an obligatory group photo at Heavens Bench, we did a fun 2.5-mile loop together to show all the amazing fall foliage Kingdom Trails has to offer. On Day 3 everyone headed to Burke Mountain for our private downhill aMTB session that culminated into the amazing progression by all participants   

The KBF could not have made this happen without the support of the incredible organizations and volunteers who show up for our campers! Thanks to Vermont Adaptive, TRAILS Adaptive, Bowhead Corp, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, New England Disabled Sports, Bike-On.com, Kingdom Trails, Burke Mountain, SDR Clothing Co, and New Balance.