An interview with Jeff Sarcione

Jeff Sarcione is the program coordinator of the Essex County Velo/Beverly YMCA/Seaside Cycle Junior Development Mountain Biking Program. I am seated at a bar called the Elbow Room in West Hartford, CT. (real professional, I know.) I'm exploring BustedSpoke.com's technological boundaries here as I talk with Jeff on my mobile phone and feebly type this out on my laptop.

BustedSpoke.com: Why don't we start with you telling me a little bit about yourself? What's your sign?

Jeff Sarcione: Taurus

BS: Occupation?

JS: Construction consultant. I tell insurance companies how much they're to pay out on a claim. I did a lot of work at Ground Zero after 9/11.

BS: So how did this all start? Why a development team?

JS: Well, I was working for YMCA as their director of adventure programs. We offered beginner mountain bike classes for the kids. I was seeing the same kids over and over again. When we started offering advanced mountain biking classes, the same trend appeared. We saw the same kids from the beginner classes coming to the advanced classes over and over again. CJ [Bradbury] worked there as well. He and I were out for beers one night and just came up with the idea of starting the team for the kids.

BS: Was it always a downhill team?

JS: No. Back in 1997-98 everyone was on a cross-country bike. It really just started as a cross-country club. CJ had a Heckler and I had my [Trek] carbon Y-bike. Then it just evolved. Everybody back then pooh-poohed anything but hard tails, but then full suspension became really popular, cross-country interest started to wane and everyone began to show up on 45 lbs bikes.

BS: What's the structure of the program?

JS: Kids grades 6 through 12 can participate. We require that they be at least an intermediate mountain biker. What we are trying to do is provide the kids with the whole experience. They go racing and do cross-country rides. We go to Killington [VT] to race downhill, Plymouth [NH] for cross-country and some have even participated in Cyclocross. This season, for the first time, we are going to offer one clinic of varying types each month. Like using the road bike to train or maintenance. Jay Seiter, aka Ellsworth, will be coaching a down-hill clinic just before the Killington race. There are two things we are trying to accomplish. Make sure the kids learn fundamentals by offering a variety of teaching clinics and get the kids feeling like they really belong to a team.

BS: Do you get any help to support the team?

JS: It's a joint effort with Seaside Cycles, ECV (Essex County Velo) and the Beverly YMCA. Most of the team members are from Beverly [MA]. We use the Y’s facilities and van for a small program fee. ECV does advocacy and trail maintenance. Seaside really helps out with maintenance and parts.

BS: Do you have outside industry benefactors?

JS: Nothing. It's all volunteers. I'm putting together a small promotional pack to some industry people. We're really trying to provide the opportunity for kids. There is no such thing as a community-based youth mountain bike program. There are things like soccer, baseball and basketball. They are riding with knowledgeable older people, learning to ride better and learning to be a part of a team.

BS: (Emphatic shaking of head) When does this all start

JS: April 14th to October or until it winds down. Kids do come and go so they can play other sports during the school year and summer. Some don't start until the fall. We try to keep it cheap. The only things to pay are a $25 fee to the Y for one season and a one-year ECV membership, also $25.

BS: Do you have any equipment requirements?

JS: Just any mountain bike in good working order, an approved helmet and we recommend protective gear. Everyone is required to carry his or her own water and food.

BS: Have you had any casualties yet?

JS: Just the average bumps and bruises. So far, the only incident requiring medical attention was CJ [a coach, no less]. He was just doing a wheelie down the trail, hit a rock and required stitches in his ass! There have been some really good crashes, but we have been very lucky. We are well prepared with cell phones, 2way radios and I am certified in wilderness first aid from SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities) in NH.

BS: What would you say is the biggest benefit to the kids?

JS: They get to ride with a lot of better riders which is a great learning experience. Not only do they get to ride with other people but also they get to travel around the region, to Killington, Ragged Mpuntain [NH] and Campton [NH] - Glen's [Chapman] house south of Plymouth for back country riding.

BS: Who are the coaches and volunteers?

JS: Glen Chapman, Eric Wade, former team member Zach Nelson and Jay Seiter will be coaching this year. Glenn is a parent of one of the kids who rides, and the whole family has been great. For two years it was just me, which was rough. 15 kids on a ride and me. I thought that was it. All of a sudden people came out and really stepped up.

BS: Can anyone volunteer?

JS: Anyone can come out and ride with us. I have to warn them, it's not as slow as they might think, but it’s not terribly fast. Sure, just come out and ride! Over the years the guys from Seaside Cycles have come out with us and really helped out.

BS: What's the schedule?

JS: Monday night rides start April 14th and are always at 5:30 pm. We ride in [MASS] Beverly, Gloucester, and Manchester by the Sea. The riding is very good. Some Monday trips to Lynn. We ride till 8 pm. Clinics start April 30th and run once a month. The kids sign up for those. Killington is in July, NH after that. The schedule is still open.

BS: Any closing thoughts?

JS: I guess the big reason we didn't stop doing it is that we've had an awesome group and many have been with us from the beginning, one racing road, one on a regional team and some working at bike shops. I don't think they would be where they are if it weren't for the program. This is not just a free-ride gathering. We designed it to be a mountain bike program with different stuff week to week.

BS: What is your ultimate goal for the program?

JS: Longevity. I'd like to see this keep going and gain notoriety as a place kids can go to develop their skills. I want to let kids know this is a place they can just discover and ride and really get into mountain bikes. A place not only to ride, but ride with people willing to teach them to become a better rider. One thing I’ve heard is that parents like the fact their kids are with responsible adults at least once a week, that can look out for them and that they are learning new skills that will make them safer when they go out on their own. I always tell them to walk when the stuff gets rough. They are encouraged to learn at their own pace. We are here to teach. We didn't have this growing up and I just have a really good time! They are just wicked fun to ride with! It's just a great time and I've made a lot of friends.