Youth from preschool to high school will find something to challenge their bike riding knowledge and skills at the Youth Bike Fest May 1 from 1-5 p.m. at Kingston High School.

After completing a helmet fit check, another check to be sure the bike is safe to ride, and a brief pre-course riding assessment, participants will find a variety of bike games and obstacle course events to challenge their knowledge of rules of the road, balance and agility skills, and ability to maneuver their bikes under various conditions.

Games will include: a newspaper toss, balloon squash and duck down, as well as Crazy 8’s and a slow race. Riders will demonstrate skills in power starts, controlled stops, using hand signals, and quick stops, as well as straight-line riding and scanning before making turns. They will ride the zigzag slalom course, the spiral and the pothole or rock dodge. Obstacles include riding over “Mount Rainier” the “Railroad Crossing,” the teeter-totter and the “Yellow Bumpy Brick Road.” The Road Skills Course is sponsored by West Sound Bicycle Club with assistance from the Cascade Bicycle Club. The entire event is sponsored by Greater Kingston Kiwanis and co-sponsored by Kingston Rotary and the Ale House Restaurant.

Advanced riders can show off dexterity, agility and balance on the Advanced Challenge Course. A half-mile ride around the high school and then enjoy the various obstacles for mountain bikers, hosted by NK Vikes. A BMX demonstration by nationally ranked BMX champion Wyatt Christensen and the opportunity to try some BMX exercises will also be available.

Bike classes

Advanced riders and parents may want to participate in the various bike maintenance classes being sponsored by Night Owl Cycling and Uptown Cyclery. These half-hour sessions will cover such topics as identifying bike parts, fixing flats and other tire issues, lubricating and cleaning your bike, and practicing before ride safety checks and putting together a bike riding essentials kit.

Bike safety

NK Fire and Rescue will conduct the helmet fitting station, Infinity Cycling the bike safety checks and Kingston Scout Troop 555 the first aid station. Members of the Kingston Kiwanis, the NK Kingston Rotary and volunteers from the community will serve as coaches and course monitors.

There will drawings for at least three bikes to be given away. Each participant will receive various door prizes for completing the skills courses. Snacks and a food truck also will be available.