The new mountain bike season will start on November 14 with the first of six races in the Tokio Youth Mountain Bike Series.

The series is sponsored by Tokio Millennium Re and Bicycle Works, and sanctioned by the Bermuda Bicycle Association.

It aims to introduce primary school-aged children to cycling as a way to help promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. The event also features the Fat Tyre Massive team who will be helping the advanced riders develop their skills and confidence on the bike.

Races in the series will take place on November 14, 21 and 28, and January 9, 16, and 23, all at the Arboretum starting at 4pm. The events are open to children aged four to 11 who are free to use any kind of bike, even those with training wheels or a toddler push bike. All participants must wear a helmet and closed toe, athletic shoes.

Ed Jordan, the head of Tokio Millennium Re in Bermuda, said the emphasis is on having fun rather than being competitive. “This is a great family event that moms, dads, grandparents and family friends can enjoy as they cheer on the riders as they go around the Arboretum course,” Jordan said.

Every child who participates will get a goody bag upon registering for the first time. Each week there are draw prizes and at the end of the race series one child’s name will be drawn as the grand prize winner to take home a new bike from Bicycle Works.

Sign-up forms are available at www.tokiomillennium.com, Bicycle Works or at the event.

For more information on the event, visit www.tokiomillennium.com or visit them on Facebook on www.facebook.com/TokioYouthMountainBikeSeries.