Fort Thomas, AZ – Sept. 18, 2025: Fort Thomas Elementary School will soon launch a new out of school hours mountain biking club, giving students the opportunity to experience the joy of riding while building confidence, resilience, and healthy habits. The mountain biking club, starting Oct. 17, 2025, will be offered at no cost to families and is made possible through the support of Wheel Fun, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to cycling for youth across Arizona.
The new Wheel Fun Mountain Bike Club will become part of the existing 21st Century Friday Enrichment Program at Fort Thomas Elementary School. This program provides students with a variety of engaging learning opportunities in the four core areas of Life Skills, Arts, STEM, and Physical Fitness. The biking club will join the Physical Fitness track, complementing other classes that support student health and well-being.
The Fort Thomas Elementary Bike Club will be led by Head Coach Danny Dorr, co-founder of Red Rock Biker.org, who brings both professional expertise and a deep passion for helping young riders discover the joy of cycling. Under his guidance, students will learn bike handling skills, trail etiquette, teamwork, and perseverance—all in a supportive environment. The club is designed to not only encourage physical activity but also foster leadership, community connection, and lifelong outdoor recreation.
About Wheel Fun
Founded in 2019, Wheel Fun is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free, school-based after-school mountain biking programs in rural and underserved Arizona communities. With nearly 50 bike clubs operating in 10 counties, Wheel Fun serves more than 2,000 students annually. Programs are supported by trained volunteer coaches—many of them parents, teachers, and community members—who mentor youth both on and off the bike.
Wheel Fun’s approach is about more than riding: it is about building healthier communities. From after-school clubs and summer camps to Riding for Focus PE programs and bike park projects, Wheel Fun creates pathways for youth to discover resilience, leadership, and joy through cycling.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Gote Matarese
Development Director, Wheel Fun
jen@wheelfun.org
New Wheel Fun Student Bike Fleet
Wheel Fun Mountain Biking Club Ribbon Cutting with Aaron Hayes, Ft. Thomas Elementary Principal; Evan Puglia, Wheel Fun Lead Representative; Dann Dorr, Wheel Fun Board Member & Ft. Thomas Elementary Biking Club Coach, Ft. Thomas Elementary 5th and 6th grade Mountain Biking Club members.
Evan Puglia showing off some bike skills jumping over Ft. Thomas Elementary Principal Aaron Hayes.