From County News Center.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. – January 11, 2026 – Teens at the Youth Transition Campus are taking part in Ride & Reflect program by cycling on stationary bikes and reflecting on the experience for better physical and mental health.

San Diego County Probation and the San Diego County Office of Education created a six-week program that combines Peloton cycling and reflective journaling to tap into their inner wisdom. The idea is to build discipline, resilience, and personal growth for youth.

The first group of young men successfully completed the program this month and a new session is already underway. Officer Frederick Packard leads the cycling program and provided books and journals to the teens to allow them to reflect on the experience.

Participants earned their place in the program through consistent positive behavior, Packard said. Over six weeks, the group completed 23 workouts and cycled more than 100 miles, he said.

After each ride, youth engaged in guided readings followed by group discussions. Youth then completed individual writing assignments and journal entries, reinforcing self-evaluation, communication skills, and goal setting, said Packard.

… Youth are prompted to complete a reading assignment that follows the theme of one of the things that they can’t control. They are then asked to write about how they can handle that obstacle better in the future based on what they learned from the book.

As a result, Probation and school staff have seen increased confidence among the youth and a growing appreciation for both physical wellness and reflective thinking.

Through a balanced approach of guidance and accountability, County probation professionals support people trying to rebuild their lives, their families, and their communities.

Read the full article here.