The 2020 edition of the Glenridge Gorillas iRide after-school program in Abbotsford, BC, was originally scheduled for the spring but with the Covid-19 pandemic coming to a head and schools moving to online learning during the latter part of the academic year, the spring program was ultimately cancelled for the season.
Fast-forward to September 2020, with a return to in-class learning and the Cycling BC Covid-19 Return to Sport guidelines fully established, the Gorillas were keen to get moving and expend some energy on two wheels. All the participants who signed up for the cancelled spring program returned for a series of six after-school sessions held on Mondays between September 7th and October 19th. The pleasant late summer/early fall weather led to great turnouts for each session.
With thirty-eight Gorillas between the ages of 8 to 14 participating in the fall program, iRide instructors had to divide the troop into smaller groups and run the program from separate locations on the Abbotsford property. The smaller troops helped the instructors keep things safe and manageable.
Returning kids who have participated in the program in past seasons came with newer and better bikes this year which can ben be seen as a testament to their commitment and investment in cycling.
There is already budding interest in the program for the spring of 2021 and we are hopeful that it will be safe to run the program when the time comes.
For more information on the iRide After-school Program, go to https://hopon.cyclingbc.net/programs/after-school/
