For many parents, one of the most meaningful milestones is teaching their child how to ride a bike- a moment that often becomes a lifelong family memory. Our April Meet-A-Mom, Jen Mumaw, has taken the idea of a “family bike ride” to the next level through her involvement with the Velodrome at Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Breiningsville.
Hi Jen! Tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you to the Lehigh Valley.
I’m originally from Northern California. My husband and I met in college, where we fell in love and married. Early in our marriage, we had the opportunity to travel and even spent a year living in Thailand working with a nonprofit organization before returning to Northern California, where we both began our careers in education.
I taught preschool and early kindergarten and truly loved working with young children. After our second child was born, we made the decision that it was time for me to step away from the classroom to become a stay-at-home educator for our own children. We have two wonderful kids — a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter — and homeschooling has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Four years ago, we moved to the Lehigh Valley, where my husband was born and raised. We chose to settle here to be close to family and to give our children the opportunity to grow up surrounded by all the incredible experiences and strong sense of community this area has to offer, like track cycling at the Velodrome.
Moving from California to Eastern Pennsylvania (with two kids!) is a big change. What are something things that stand out to you when you made that move?
There are definitely some differences between the two states! One of the biggest changes for me has been the weather. While California does get snow, we lived a couple of hours from the mountains, so we never woke up to snow at home. There is something magical about watching your kids wake up with big smiles on their faces as snow falls outside the window. Summers here are also much more comfortable. California can get extremely hot, and I definitely don’t miss the dry heat.
Another big difference is the number of community activities. It seems like every township, borough, or village here has a parade or festival celebrating something. While we had community events in our city in California, it just wasn’t the same. People in the Lehigh Valley really enjoy coming together and celebrating, and I think the deep historical roots of this area give people even more reason to gather and have fun.
That brings me to another thing that makes the Lehigh Valley so special—history. It’s everywhere you look. From the buildings to the farmland, you can feel the significance of this place. Our country was born here, and even though it’s easy to take that for granted in our day-to-day lives, I love that we can see and experience that history firsthand.
Lastly, the difference that has had the biggest impact on my family is the cycling community here in the Valley. While there is a cycling scene in almost every state, it feels truly unique here. You can find every type of cycling—road riding, crit racing, cyclocross, gravel, mountain biking, and track cycling—all within one community.
Has your family always had an interest in cycling? What led you to it?
My kids always loved riding their bikes around the neighborhood, but they didn’t show a real interest in cycling until we moved to the Lehigh Valley.
A few summers ago, when my kids were 8 and 11, we went to our first Friday Night Under the Lights, and we were completely captivated. That night they announced the Try the Track program, and our son Ezra decided to give it a try that very weekend. He was instantly hooked. Soon after, he joined a youth class and then the Bicycle Racing League. About a month later, our daughter Eliana decided she wanted to start riding on the track as well.
What makes cycling such a great family activity?
Cycling truly is for everyone—whether you’re riding or simply enjoying the races. It’s a lifelong activity that welcomes people from all walks of life.
My son is proof of that. We know people of all ages and abilities who ride. The best part is that you can start wherever you are. I’m not a highly skilled rider myself, but I love going on leisurely rides with my family along a quiet bike path. If I can do it, anyone can.
Cycling is also a wonderful way to stay healthy. It’s low-impact on the joints, great for your heart, and provides a fantastic workout. It’s also incredibly beneficial for mental health—helping reduce anxiety, depression, and stress while boosting endorphins. And spending time outdoors is always good for the body and mind.
It’s so wonderful (and honestly such a relief) when you find something active that you can enjoy as a family!
Absolutely. It has been one of the best things that has ever happened to our family.
Our son has Tourette’s syndrome. It’s a tic disorder, but it’s also much more than that. It affects both his fine and gross motor skills. His hand-eye coordination isn’t the best, and spatial awareness can be difficult for him. Because of that, many other sports have been challenging. His mind also tends to wander, and he can become nervous easily—something that is also part of Tourette’s.
But when he’s on his bike at the track, everything seems to fall into place. His body and mind calm, and everything narrows to one focus: ride.
Being neurodivergent isn’t always easy for him or our family. Not everyone understands or accepts Ezra. But the cycling community has been different. They welcomed him—and our whole family—with open arms. They’ve encouraged him, supported him, and helped him grow into the best rider he can be.
Our daughter Eliana has also transformed over the past three years. She has gone from casually riding to having strength and confidence with every lap she takes around the track. What started as curiosity quickly grew into determination. With each practice and race, she has developed not only her skills on the bike, but also a quiet confidence in herself. Watching her push through challenging workouts, celebrate small improvements, and learn from every race has been incredible. The track has given her a place to grow, challenge herself, and discover just how strong and capable she really is.
We love how something as simple as cycling can create such a lasting positive impact on your family! Can you tell us a little more about how you are involved with the Velodrome?
First and foremost, I am the proud parent of two kids who race at the Velodrome. I love cheering them on and supporting their team whenever I can. I’m also a volunteer and help with several different programs.
Some of the programs I help with include Weeble Wobbles and Pee Wee Pedalers, which are fun, confidence-building introductions to riding and bike safety for children ages 4–8. Kids ride their own bicycles or balance bikes while learning balance, control, and safe riding skills through games and guided activities in a supportive environment.
I also help with Try the Track, a program designed for people who are curious about track cycling or eager to get back into it. It’s a welcoming, beginner-friendly way to experience the thrill of riding on the velodrome.
Another program is the Youth Cycling Classes, which introduces riders ages 7 and up to pedaling a fixed-gear bike on the velodrome. Certified instructors guide riders through structured activities that teach bike handling, safety skills, and confidence. The program encourages kids to have fun on their bikes while developing skills that can lead to a lifelong love of cycling.
From there, many riders move on to the Mike Budjnoski Bicycle Racing League (BRL), which gives kids ages 9–16 an exciting introduction to racing. It’s a community-focused youth cycling league that helps riders take their skills to the next level.
Finally, I help greet spectators during Friday Night Under the Lights. Friday nights at the track are something truly special. There’s music playing, a few thousand fans filling the stands, kids laughing and running around the plaza, and families grabbing dinner from the food trucks. There are bounce houses, bike-racing games for kids, and plenty of activities before the racing even begins. As the sun sets and the lights come on, the excitement builds. Riders from all over the world fly around the track just a few feet away, and the energy from the crowd is contagious. There is truly nothing like it anywhere else in the Valley—it really has to be experienced in person.
We all know the phrase “It takes a village.” Who is yours?
We all want to feel like we belong—that we have a place at the table and are part of something meaningful. For my family, the Velodrome has become that place.
Some of my closest friends are people I met while watching our kids practice and race at the track. We cheer each other’s kids on, lend a helping hand when it’s needed, and support each other through the ups and downs. Over time, those friendships have grown into something deeper—our own extended family. I know I can count on them anytime, whether it’s helping with rides to practice or simply showing up when someone needs support. They’ve become “aunties” and “uncles” to our kids through friendship.
The staff and coaches have also played a huge role in our journey. They are like family as well. My kids look to them not just for coaching but for guidance and encouragement. Every step of this journey, they have walked alongside us with passion, patience, and care.
We’ve tried many different sports over the years, but we have never felt as welcomed or accepted anywhere as we have at the velodrome.
What is your favorite thing about the Lehigh Valley community?
The Lehigh Valley is full of people from all walks of life, and there truly is something here for everyone. If you have a hobby or a passion, you can find a group or organization that supports it.
There’s a strong sense of community here. People celebrate different cultures, traditions, and interests, and that diversity makes the Valley such a special place to live.
I love being part of a community that values connection, supports one another, and comes together to celebrate what makes each of us unique.
Jen’s Favorite Things:
Favorite Local Take Out Food: For breakfast we love Three Men and a Bagel in Trexlertown
Favorite Date Night Spot: Touch of Thai for food in Trexlertown. The Grand Theater for entertainment in East Greenville
Favorite Activity to Unwind: I love gardening, Glick’s Greenhouse is my favorite spot to grab plants. I also love reading at any local bookstore.
Favorite Local Coffee Shop: The Joint Coffee in Whitehall, Bethlehem or Easton or Java and Friends in East Greenville
Favorite Local Retail Shop: Bike and Sol in East Greenville.
Favorite “Quick Escape” Spot: We try to find local bookstore all around the area. The Bear in the Book is our favorite kids bookshop. Midtown Scholar is our favorite all around bookstore.
