ABOUT THE BLUE-TAILED SKINKS MTB CLUB
After kids show up on the scene, the trail still calls. Mountain biking is a passion for many families. But it's not like little league. Often families that ride don't have peers for the kids to participate with. This club bridges that gap. We gather for weekly rides that are broken into ability based groups. Kids discover the joy of riding with peers while gaining skills and fitness. That's the whole point of the Skinks.We are parents of Skinks and are volunteering our time. All funds generated through registration go back to the program we are a 501c3 non-profit corporation. You can read an article the Press Democrat wrote about the club here. The Blue Tailed Skinks is committed to making the club accessible to all families that want to participate. Lets get more kids on bikes!
COACH MATT
Matt Fritzinger is best known for starting the Norcal High School Cycling League, followed by the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and was inducted to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame for his work. Matt is now a very ordinary father who likes to ride bikes with his two boys and wife, Elizabeth. Matt cofounded The Blue Tailed Skinks so kids can have a fun experience riding bikes in Sonoma County with peers their own age.
COACH JEREMIAH
Jeremiah Price is the father to two Blue Tailed Skinks, a special education teacher, volunteer fire fighter and lover of cycling and all things outdoors. Jeremiah met Matt at a MTB event, where their kids hit it off. The group started riding together and it was quickly apparent how much the kids enjoyed riding with buddies. They started the Blue Tailed Skinks to provide more opportunities to get kids out on the trails with their peers.
COACH MIKO
Miko Lim grew up in the Philippines, where the rainforests and beaches were his playground.
Camping, mountain biking, swimming, and hiking played a huge role in forming the lover of the outdoors that Miko is today. During the pandemic, Miko introduced his two kids, Gapu now 10, and Alala now six, to the fun of mountain biking. From teaching his kids to ride around Ragle park, to “Sending It” on the trails of North Star, Miko’s passion for the sport grows stronger every second! Interested to get more involved in coaching children with mountain biking skills, as well as introducing kids to building a deep appreciation and respect of the outdoors, Miko is very excited to join the Blue Skinks as their official treasurer. Currently living and working for the City Of Sebastopol, Miko is looking forward to riding with other Sonoma County families!
COACH MARK
From big wheels to bikes to motorcycles, Mark Vandewalle grew up behind handlebars and now continues his love of riding with his son Reid and wife Jody. Voluenteering as a board member for the Blue Tailed Skinks has been a very rewarding experience for Mark and he is looking forward to continued community building and enjoyment with the club!
COACH LARISSA
It's possible no one in the world is as fanatical about cycling as Larissa Connors. The former pro road and mountain bike racer has an infectious personality brought about by a pure love of riding bicycles. Connors found unparalleled success throughout her career, winning countless endurance mountain bike events including the prestigious Leadville 100 and Belgian Waffle Rides. Now the mom of a bike crazy 5-year-old and a full time math teacher, Connors spends her spare time doing trail work, leading Skinks all over, NICA camps and spreading the joy of cycling far and wide.
COACH CAITLIN
Caitlin Reinman is the proud mom to two Blue Tailed Skinks, a paraeducator at a local elementary school, and lover of being out on the trails. Her husband and kids have helped introduce her to the world of mountain biking and she has enjoyed learning to ride alongside her kids. Caitlin is dedicated to supporting young riders in hopes that they will build confidence, create new friendships, and improve their fitness.
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