Pubdate: Fri, 05 Nov 2004 Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL) http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Neighbors/DailyJournal/03AreaDJ01110504.htm Copyright: 2004 News-Journal Corp Contact: http://www.news-journalonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700 Author: Lynn Bulmahn Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) FREESTYLE BIKE SHOW MESSAGE: DRUG FREE WAY TO BE EDGEWATER -- The bicyclist rode up the ramp, spun around on his BMX bike and flew high into the air. It was a gravity-defying stunt that made the young audience gasp. As he came down, deftly landing his bike on the platform, the children cheered with an intensity usually reserved for rock stars. Youngsters at Edgewater Public School didn't take their eyes off the performers at the Wheels of Freestyle Bicycle Thrill Show who visited their school Thursday morning. Professional bicycle motorcross riders Jon Dowker, Rob Christianson and Ricky Rogers enthralled youngsters with spins and twirls and flatland tricks executed with precise timing and great athleticism. As children chanted their names, the riders performed stunts like those seen on the Gravity Games and X Games. At one point, Rogers jumped his bike across faculty members lying on the ground in the school parking lot. But there was a serious message behind the circus-like entertainment. "All of the riders you see here are drug free," Dowker told the classes. "None of us smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use drugs. We think a drug-free lifestyle is worth promoting." The program was part of Red Ribbon Week -- when youngsters learn the dangers of chemical abuse -- sponsored by Chemical People for Drug Free Youth. The Freestyle riders also visited Burns-Oak Hill Elementary and New Smyrna Beach Middle School. Fifth-grader Jason Hagen, 9, nodded enthusiastically when asked if he had enjoyed the program. "I thought they were pretty good," Jason said. "I liked them. They told us to stay drug free." Caylie Lanigan, 10, said her brother sometimes tried bicycle stunts similar to what the team performed. "They were really neat," the fourth-grade girl added as she lined up to get team members' autographs. "I liked the back flip most of all." "All our riders are drug-free riders," Dowker told the youth. "They wouldn't be here today if they'd ever gotten involved in negative things like smoking or drinking or drugs."