Firefighter 50 Bike Ride 2026

Sharpen skills, ramp up fitness, and re-energize motivation during our four-day USA Triathlon designated draft-legal camp in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Designed for youth, junior, and NCAA draft-legal triathletes, Draft Camp focuses on sharpening skills through repetition, ramping up fitness through daily training and recovery, and re-energizing motivation through friendly competition. And our early July timing provides a perfect daily training environment for youth and junior draft-legal triathletes leading into the final qualifier July 12 and the National Championship August 1-2, and NCAA triathletes preparing for their fall 2026 collegiate season.

Mini Pedals, in partnership with Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park, exists to encourage, challenge, and educate children to be comfortable and confident on their mountain bike. Friendships are forged on the trail, challenges are overcome on the trail, and confidence is built on the trail. Being able to overcome the challenges that they face on the bike, persist, and continue riding, are directly related to skills they need in life.

This week of camp will establish a solid foundation of fundamental skills. We will assess each child’s individual ability and skill level to determine how we progress them and their riding. Children will be taught in a group of 8-12 students per instructor, ensuring proper attention to each rider.

Camp Schedule

(will change slightly each day)

10:00 Arrive and check-in with camp host

10:15- 11:00 Warm Up and Skills session

11:00-11:15 Snack

11:15- 12:15 Ride

12:15-1:00 Lunch

1:00-1:30 Tech Talk

1:30-2:30 Ride

2:30-3:00 Game

3:00 Head Home

Things your child needs:

• Bike - A working trail worthy bike. Highly recommended to run your bike by your local bike shop for a tune up prior to the clinic. No training wheels. No kickstands.

• A helmet

• Flat pedals

• Closed toe shoes - Five ten shoes or skate style shoe (Vans) are recommended over a trail shoe, but not mandatory

• Bike gloves highly recommended

• Hydration pack is recommended, but water bottle is sufficient (water coolers to refill water will be provided)

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Medication - ie. Epi Pen if needed for allergies. Albuterol if needed for asthma. If needed, they must be carried by the camper at all times

• Camp is rain or shine unless severe weather event

**Camp will be held at the Pickall area of Patapsco...detailed instructions will be sent prior to camp!

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellation 30+ days prior to the event will receive a full refund. Cancellation less than 30 days prior to the event will receive a refund if the spot can be filled before camp begins. Cancellation within 24 hours of camp will forfeit their camp payment even if the spot is filled.

This is a 45 mile biking event through all 10 Columbia Villages. You will also stop at 23 Columbia Association pools along the way to swim a couple of laps (however many you do is up to you). You can slide down the pool slides (if they are open) and take a dive. The ride is supported with 2 food stops along the way and technical support.

We can honestly say there is no event like this anywhere else!!! Please join us to benefit the Ulman Foundation.

Event details and schedule

On-site Registration and Check is starts at 6:30 am. Depending on number of participants, we may stagger the start. Be prepared to start at 7:15 am. Payment for day of event registration must be cash or check. We do not accept credit cards on Ride day.

There is no rain date. In the event of weather cancellation, we will donte proceeds to the charities and hope for better weather next year.

Parking is at the pool (please respect the roped off areas), Swansfield Elementary School and on the street.

Remember that you will be getting wet. A towel is up to you. But DO remember the Sunscreen!!!

Event FAQ available on our Facebook page.