A little fresh air before school
Linderman second-grader Gabe Merganthaler leads the pack of riders leaving from Rocky Point Friday during the "Bike and Walk to School Day" event.
POLSON - They came from all directions, in all colors, shapes and sizes. Most had two wheels, some had three. Most had fat tires, some were skinny. They descended on Polson's elementary schools like a pack of wild dogs, long trains of cyclists streaming the streets.
About 30 adults accompanied 49 Cherry Valley and 111 Linderman students during Friday's "Bike and Walk to School Day." Groups met at three separate locations in Polson's vicinity before parading into town.
According to event organizer Melinda Leas, several families organized their own neighborhood convoys as well.
"That's what this is all about," she said. "Building community in a fun and healthy way."
Linderman fourth-grader Linde Lambson rode his skateboard to school.
"I want to do that every day," he said of his 20-minute commute. "I even took the long way."
His classmates, bikers Tristin Cardenas and Landon Shipley agreed.
"It wakes you up," Cardenas said.
Once students arrived at school, they were invited to sit down, relax and snack on bananas and home-made banana bread before the bell. Participants also entered their names for a prize drawing that included helmets, backpacks, hacky sacks and gift certificates among other things donated by the community.
Leas said Mission Mountain Natural Foods, Page By Page Books and The Cove contributed items for the event. Matt Seeley gave each school $20 bike repair gift certificates and WalMart even threw in a free bike.
In order to ride to school in the first place, Leas required that students wear a helmet. If the child didn't have one, however, St. Joseph's Hospital gave one to them.
"It was a really great turnout," Leas, who owns PilatesPlus in Polson, said. "This is my business' way of giving back to the community."
Her son, Daniel, often rides into school with his dad.
"It's not hard," the second-grader said. "It just takes a little longer."
Daniel Leas said if it's cold out, they dress warmly, but no matter the weather, he enjoys spending that extra time with his dad.
"It's having fun," he said. "That's what I like the best."