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Fourth-grader wins bicycle essay contest

By Staff

Kayla Plater won a Specialized mountain bike and helmet, donated by Dr. J’s Bicycle Shop in Solvang, for writing the top essay among 25 entries from Valley fourth- through sixth-graders.

The theme for the contest sponsored by the city of Solvang and the Local Organizing Committee of the Amgen Tour of California was “How my bike affects my life.”

The 9-year-old fourth-grader at the Family School in Los Olivos was honored on stage at the finish line Friday after the professional cycling race was finished.

Her brother Lance, 11, won in the sixth-grade division. They’re the children of George and Lori Plater. The fifth-grade winner was Jacob Park, 10, the son of Chris and Anjie Park, and the fourth-grade winner was Gavin Callow, 10, the son of Sean and Traci Callow.

The grade-level winners received a Tour of California T-shirt, hat and pin.

The winning essay

My bike makes me happy! I love riding it every day! When I ride on it, the wind blows in my face and I feel great. I see nature and beautiful things all around me. I see little animals and birds flying and running around. I see trees. I see the crystal blue sky and the white fluffy clouds over my head. I feel peaceful. I feel at one with nature when I am on my bike.

My body feels strong when I’m on my bike and it clears my mind as well. I get stronger every time I go out. I know how good it is for my body and I think everyone should bike, to make their bodies stronger and healthier. It is also very good for your mind because biking helps you think about things and helps you get the right answers. The happiness and freedom I experience while on my bike clears my mind so I am able to think clearly and solve problems.

I also enjoy riding with my friends. My friends and I love to ride around. We talk about things, enjoy looking at all the animals, and we race up and down hills. Biking makes our friendships stronger. We share laughter together, secrets, and talk about who we are going to be when we grow up. We even help each other solve things that are wrong in our lives. I even enjoy riding with my brother. When we ride together, I feel like he is my friend, not my brother! Biking is fun for the both of us so we don’t fight! We laugh and play together and use our imagination. When we ride on our bikes, we actually become closer. When I am an adult, I want my brother and I to continue riding our bikes together. I want to keep our relationship strong, because I love him.

I remember when I got my first bike. I was coming home from school and I saw a bike in the driveway. I looked at my new bike. It was a shiny pink bike with pretty designs on it. I said, “I will keep this bike for the rest of my life and will give it to my children when I am all grown up.” I will bike for the rest of my life, and when I am an adult, I will ride with my children and show them the joys of bike riding.

That is how my bike affects my life! “Now people … hop on your bikes and GO!!” A bike is an amazing tool for you to use — for exercising, playing, thinking, and seeing nature. If everybody rode a bike, the world would be a better place!