Fredonia Elementary School Pedals Into Its First Year of Wheel Fun
Bike Club
By Lumen Cristy Ihong

This school year was a memorable one for Fredonia Elementary School as it proudly became part of the Wheel Fun Bike Club for the very first time. Wheel Fun is a premier nonprofit organization in Arizona that partners with rural, Title I schools to provide free after school mountain biking clubs for underserved youth. Through this program, schools are provided with mountain bikes, helmets, coaching, and other biking equipment to encourage students to get outdoors, stay active, build confidence, and develop healthy habits.

On September 29, 2025, Wheel Fun delivered the bikes to Fredonia Elementary School, officially launching the program. A total of 10 mountain bikes were provided for student riders, along with two additional bikes for the coaches. The organization also supplied everything needed for a successful biking season, including helmets, hydration packs, air pumps, and other biking equipment. It was exciting to see the students’ faces when they learned they would  have the opportunity to be part of this new after school activity.
 

Before the fall season began, all volunteer coaches attended a safety orientation where they learned proper biking procedures, coaching expectations, and the importance of teaching students how to ride responsibly. The training gave them the knowledge and confidence to help riders enjoy the program while making safety the top priority.
 

The Wheel Fun Bike Club is divided into two seasons during the school year. The first is the fall season, which consists of 10 consecutive weeks of biking every Wednesday after school. Each
session began with a five minute lesson and reminders about biking safety, trail etiquette, and what students should and should not do while riding. Before leaving campus, students checked their tires, put on their helmets and other safety gear, and completed a 10-minute warm-up around the school parking lot. Once everyone was ready, the group headed out to the hills and trails surrounding the school where students had the opportunity to practice their skills while
enjoying the beautiful scenery around Fredonia.
 

When the fall season ended, winter brought a break from biking. Surprisingly, that was probably the part the students liked the least. Many of them looked forward to every Wednesday afternoon and often asked when the biking club would start again. Their excitement returned when the spring season began. Just like the fall, the spring season also lasted 10 weeks and followed the same routine and biking routes that the students had grown to enjoy.

The program included fourth and fifth grade students, and it was rewarding to watch their growth throughout the year. Some students became more confident riders, while others learned that determination and practice can help them accomplish things they once thought were difficult.
 

Beyond learning biking skills, students built friendships, encouraged one another, and spent their afternoons being physically active instead of staying indoors on phones, tablets, or computers. Physical activity plays an important role in keeping both the body and the mind healthy, and Wheel Fun is helping pave the way for students to build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
 

On May 6, 2026, the school wrapped up the year’s biking club with a culminating ride at Jackson Flat Reservoir in Kanab, Utah. It was the perfect location to celebrate a successful first year together. After the ride, students enjoyed pizza and soda while sharing stories about their favorite memories from the season. It was wonderful to see how much they had grown, not only as riders but also in confidence and teamwork. By the end of the celebration, many of the students were already asking if the Wheel Fun Bike Club would return the next school year.  Their excitement alone showed how meaningful this program had become.

This wonderful opportunity would not have been possible without the support of many individuals and organizations. The school extends sincere thanks to the volunteer coaches, Mr. Jeff Crookston, Mrs. Jeanne Crookston, Mr. Juvyl Ihong, Mrs. Lumen Ihong, and Ms. Manuela Biasotto, for generously giving their time each week to mentor and encourage student riders.  Their commitment made a lasting impact on the students. Gratitude is also extended to Zion Bank for allowing Mr. Jeff Crookston to dedicate his Wednesday afternoons to the biking club. Appreciation is given to the school administration for opening the doors to bring Wheel Fun to Fredonia Elementary School and believing in the value of this program. Finally, thanks are extended to the parents for their unwavering support
throughout both seasons. From making sure their children were ready each week to picking them up after every Wednesday ride, their support played a vital role in the success of the first
year.

The inaugural year with the Wheel Fun Bike Club was truly a rewarding experience. Fredonia Elementary School is grateful to Wheel Fun for investing in its students and community and looks forward to seeing even more young riders join the adventure in the years to come.