One of Kentville’s best kept secrets might be its extensive mountain biking trail system, but to Valley Devo and its riders these pathways are like a second home.
Valley Devo is a Kentville-based organization with a primary focus on off-road cycling like cyclo-cross, mountain biking and gravel riding. The organization offers youth training for those aged 8-14, hosts a variety of cycling events and also sports a race team.
“We’ve mostly grown through word of mouth. We have a very strong cycling community in the Kentville area and the Annapolis Valley for that matter. A lot of people were looking for something in an outdoor setting that wasn’t your typical team sport. And with all the trails, it’s become very popular in the Kentville area for people to take up mountain biking,” says Peter Dewar, Valley Devo coach and founder.
Since launching the program four years ago, they have gone from a dozen riders to 30, alongside an 11-rider race squad. With a few who started early with the program now acting as coaches. But on top of their rising membership, Valley Devo can also measure their success with the accomplishments of their race team.
In addition to taking part in their own short track program, the race team also competes in Cycling Nova Scotia’s provincial series with three of their riders becoming provincial champions this year.
They’ve also had riders participate in Canada Cup races in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The Canada Cup is a national off-road racing series, designed to bridge the gap between provincial-level racing and international events.
And it was at one of those races where the idea for Valley Devo was born.
In 2022 Peter took his son to a Canada Cup race in Dieppe, New Brunswick. While they were there, his son noticed Fitworks, a local Dieppe cycling team. Seeing the young riders racing together and reveling in the camaraderie of their team his son asked why they didn’t have something like that at home.
This was the question that planted the seed, and now years later Valley Devo is sending riders to that same event.
“We’ve had a lot of our riders podium at races over the past four years. And we’ve also had riders take part in the national championships with a few of them winning their younger age categories. The race program that we have is very successful and I’m very proud of it,” says Peter. “We spend three or four days a week with the riders, riding as a group, so they’re building not only a strong athletic base, but they’re building friendships that will last a very long time.”
This sense of community is very important to Valley Devo. Beyond the rider-to-rider connection they’ve fostered a strong community by offering bike repair clinics, supporting coach development and putting on events that bring riders, families, volunteers and the wider cycling community together.
They’ve also been intentional with strengthening their programming and events, making great use of Sport Nova Scotia’s Sport Fund. Facilitated by Sport Nova Scotia’s regional sport consultants, this fund supports community programming by either providing funds to help organizations create new programs, or to expand/enhance current programming.
With the funds they’ve received through Sport Fund, Valley Devo has purchased an e-bike and radio system, which helps keep racing events safe. The e-bike allows coaches to quickly get around, sometimes from the start of the trail right to the end, all while carrying around 40 pounds of equipment, including a first-aid kit.
“We also have a pretty robust radio system to make sure that all of our coaches are in constant communication. If somebody needs something or if there’s an accident, we’re able to get help to that rider quickly,” says Peter.
They have also used their funding to buy things like small ramps, which helps them set up different games for the kids.
In addition to the support of Sport Nova Scotia, Peter says without Cycling Nova Scotia it would be very challenging to do what they do.
“I’m very thankful that we have a strong provincial sport organization that helps us with everything from insurance to waivers, to making sure that our races run smoothly. I really thank everybody involved with Cycling Nova Scotia for all that they do for us,” says Peter.
Looking ahead to the future, Peter is hoping Valley Devo can expand their programming to reach younger cyclists. But what will always remain the same is their mission of providing young riders a place to learn, challenge themselves, make friends, race if they choose and develop a lifelong love of riding bikes.
To get involved with Valley Devo, readers can check out their Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as their website.
