MROE 2026: First-Time Experiences and Memories Made on the Trails
Over 600 ride experiences at THOR’s Intro to Mountain Biking exhibit at the 21st annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo, and the joy of a first trail ride never gets old.
The Joy of a First Trail Ride at Ponca State Park
There’s nothing quite like watching someone discover the joy of riding a bike on a trail for the first time. At the 21st annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo (MROE), we got to see that joy firsthand, and it never gets old!
It was another fast-paced, fun-filled weekend at Ponca State Park. We welcomed over 600 ride experiences to THOR’s Intro to Mountain Biking exhibit, helping kids try something new, giving families a chance to ride together, and reconnecting with familiar faces who return year after year.
Those returning families and the kids who discover what they can do on a bike are what make this event so special.
Starting with the Basics: Fifth-Grade Day
Friday was all about introducing kids to something new. We worked with four classes and 76 fifth graders, teaching them the basics of mountain biking in just 40 minutes.
Students learned how to use their brakes, check their tires and chain, find their ready position, and safely dismount. Then they got to put those skills to use on the pedal track.
One of the best parts of the day was helping 20 kids who didn’t yet know how to ride a bike start learning. That’s a pretty big deal, and it’s exactly why opportunities like this matter.
One determined student from Winnebago really stuck with us. She was completely focused on learning to pedal on her own and didn’t want the class period to end. She kept working at it, determined to figure it out. Moments like that remind us how much a little encouragement, some practice, and someone cheering you on can mean.
We also welcomed Cardinal Elementary School in Sioux City, Iowa, back for its second year. Their teacher told us that mountain biking had been the first and favorite activity offered to their class the previous year. She made sure they signed up for the first period this time so they wouldn’t miss it!
And here’s the part we love: that same teacher came back on Sunday with her husband. She said watching the kids ride looked like so much fun that she wanted to try it herself! She told us she’d be back next year, too. How great is that?
A Busy Weekend on Two Wheels
Saturday was a busy one, with over 400 kids visiting our exhibit. With a smaller volunteer crew and wet trail conditions, we decided to keep things simple and open only the pedal track. It wasn’t quite the full experience we’d planned, but families still showed up ready to ride, and our volunteers made the most of it.
Sunday brought another 100+ kids before rain forced us to close early. Thankfully, we had 12 to 14 volunteers on hand and a full team ready to help riders get rolling while conditions allowed.
The weather kept us on our toes, but that’s part of outdoor programming! We adjust, work together, and make the best of what the day brings.
By the end of the weekend, hundreds of kids had experienced THOR’s mountain biking exhibit. That’s a whole lot of time on two wheels, and we’re grateful we got to be part of it.
The Best Part? Seeing Familiar Faces
This was our third year leading THOR’s Intro to Mountain Biking exhibit, and one of our favorite things is recognizing the kids and families who come back year after year.
We’re always amused by how surprised they are that we remember them!
We see local families and Boy Scout groups who have made the Missouri River Outdoor Expo part of their annual tradition. Some kids return with more confidence than they had the year before, while others are ready to try riding again with their family. Getting to see those familiar faces and watch their confidence grow is one of the best parts of what we do.
Our setup is pretty simple. We fit each rider with a helmet and bike, offer some basic instruction, and give them a chance to ride a natural-surface trail. For some kids, it’s their first time on a bike. For others, it’s their first taste of mountain biking. Either way, it’s an opportunity to try something new, challenge themselves, and have fun outdoors.
And our Trail Crew deserves a huge shout-out! They did an incredible job building a fun, flowy trail that gave riders a real introduction to mountain biking. Riders got to put some muscle into pedaling up a hill before enjoying the thrill of rolling back down. It was a chance to build confidence and experience what makes riding trails so much fun. Their hard work helped make this experience possible for hundreds of kids and families.
It Takes a Community
An event like this doesn’t happen without a lot of good people willing to show up and pitch in. Our volunteers help with everything from fitting helmets and bikes to offering encouragement and keeping an eye on the track. Sometimes, all it takes is a few kind words to help a nervous rider give it another try.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who gave their time and energy to make this weekend happen. Whether you helped a fifth grader learn to pedal, cheered on a first-time rider, or helped keep the trail running smoothly, you made a difference.
At THOR, we believe trails are for everyone. We want people of all ages and abilities to have opportunities to get outside, try new things, and discover the fun of riding close to home. The Missouri River Outdoor Expo gives us a wonderful chance to make those connections and introduce more people to the trails.
Seeing families come back year after year tells us we’re creating something they enjoy and want to be part of.
A huge thank-you to our volunteers, our Trail Crew, and everyone who stopped by to ride with us at Ponca State Park. Together, you logged over 110 volunteer hours this weekend and helped make another memorable weekend possible.
Here’s to more families returning for another lap, and more opportunities to build community on trails.
Photos by Eric Freudenburg
