What is Activate MHC?

Activate MHC is a program of the YMCA that focuses on biking and hiking in the Martinsville and Henry County area. A four-year grant from the Harvest Foundation allowed for development of programs to engage people in health living. Once run in conjunction with the Martinsville and Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness, Activate sought a permanent home in 2011. The Y was the perfect host!

Charged by the Harvest Foundation with creating a sustainability plan for the Bike Barn, Miles in Martinsville was created. The first races in the series included the Harvest Moon Run 10K, Tuff Strutter 5K Trail Run at Rooster Walk, Helgramite Hustle 5K Mud Run at Smith River Fest, and the Turkey Day 5K. To streamline sponsor requests all runs organized through the YMCA were grouped into a Challenge Series. The series grew to include seven races including the Martinsville Half Marathon, 5K & Relay and the Girls on the Run events.

Thanks to a generous grant from Women in Philanthropy of the Martinsville Area Community Foundation that allowed for the purchase of an electronic timing system, all races are chip timed. Additional thanks go to the many sponsors who help make the runs and outreach programs of the Y and Activate possible.

Go ahead "Get Active, Get Healthy, Have Fun!"

Borrow a Bike, Bring it Back

The Bike Barn, a program of the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA is open for the 2014 season. New bikes of varying sizes, some with training wheels and others without, have been purchased for our young riders. We have added new seven speed comfort bikes for adult riders as well. Another addition is a three wheeler for adults! All of these additions are thanks to the Women in Philanthropy Grant managed by the Martinsville Area Community Foundation. Many thanks to this wonderful group for their generous gift!

Take a ride on the Dick & Willie Passage! Bikes and helmets are available, free of charge, for use on the trail at the Doyle Street trail head. The Bike Barn offers 7-speed comfort bikes, 21-speed comfort and mountain bikes, children's bikes, one child trailer, two tandems, and one adult three-wheeled bike. Hours for the 2014 season are:

3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, extending to 7 p.m. in June and July;
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their legal parent or guardian while riding an Activate bicycle. Helmets, provided for you, and closed toe shoes are required. Bring a photo ID. The Bike Barn is closed when it is raining, the temperature is below 60 degrees, and when there is a heat advisory. Up to the minute schedule changes are posted on the Twitter feed. Check the home page of this website, or the Facebook account.