So far, two Canadian kids are signed up for the Strider Cup Race in Pittsburgh on May 27. One is driving more than 9 hours to compete on his Strider Balance Bike. How cool is that! The delicious Pittsburgh perogies aren’t the only reason they’re coming. These two are excited to see how their skills match up with young ones in the Northeast United States.

Riding helps Lucas’ eyes

Lucas G. is registered to compete in the 2-year-old class, and is traveling from Wasaga Beach, Ontario, for the event.

He received his Strider Bike when he was just 16 months old. His mother Stephanie said, “We chose a Strider Bike because we liked the way the bike was made and the different accessory offerings. They had Kawasaki green, so we knew it was a right fit.”

Lucas rides his Strider Bike at the Wasaga Beach BMX Park and around the neighborhood in warmer temperatures. During the winter months, his parents set up a little course in their basement to help the active tot burn off energy – and practice his skills.

“Riding has helped improve his balance, and also his eyesight,” said Stephanie. “Lucas has had glasses since he was one year old. We feel like the riding has helped him focus and his eyes are getting better.”

What does Lucas say about his Strider Bike? Stephanie shared, “He always wants to ride and says ‘let’s do dirt jumps.’”

So do we!

Strider is “the coolest”

Four-year-old Jared C. from Espanola, ON, received his Strider Bike on his 2^nd birthday and says his Strider Bike, “is the coolest.” We agree.

His mother, Felicia C., said, “when I bought him his Strider Bike, all he wanted to do was ride to the park and places and around the house.”

“It’s helped him with his balance,” she added. “He even started riding a two-wheeled pedal bike at three years old, without using training wheels.”

Asked why she chose a Strider Bike over other brands, Jared’s mom Felicia C. said, “I decided to buy a Strider Bike because I liked the design, how light it was and just the overall set up and attachments you could get.”

The Canadian winters don’t slow down Jared. He rides through the snow with his ski attachment. His family is used to driving for track time. In the winter, they sometimes travel six hours to the Rock City Indoor BMX track in Greenville, MI. In the summer, Jared races at the Milton BMX track in Ontario, a 5-hour drive.

Jared’s family will be traveling more than nine hours to Pittsburgh for the race. They’re also planning to go to the Strider Cup Race in Lincoln, NE, on June 11, and possibly the 2017 Strider Cup World Championship in Salt Lake City on July 21-22.

Now that’s dedication.

More info on the race is at www.striderbikes.com/pittsburgh.