Washington Student League - Cool Video

Short video on the mountain bike program I was involved with last spring, coaching and running a middle school team.  A great program to get 7th - 12th graders riding and racing bikes.

Take a peek and get some kids out there...

Washington Student League - Race # 4

Gather 'round kids, to hear about the final race of the Washington Student League series.  The fourth and final gig held at Washougal Motocross Park, located strangely enough in Washougal, Washington.  Being about a 4 hour drive, all of the team elected to head down a day early, grabbing nearby hotel rooms.  Kudos to the supporting parents who put the time and expense into this race adventure.  I'd also be on that list, Ian and I heading down early for a father/son road trip.

We arrived Saturday afternoon at the track, our first trip ever to Washougal.  Being the ex motocross guy, I was looking forward to checking the place out.  Turned out to be the beautiful plot of land and race course, cool set up.  During the Saturday pre-ride and hanging out with the team, track sound system blasting classic rock.  Time warp for me, place reminiscent of tracks I raced at in Pennsylvania during the late '70s, Led Zeppelin booming across the green grass and brown dirt.  Except now, 30 years later on bicycles and a son of my own.  Time flies.

After the Saturday pre-ride and memory lane throw back, we headed to the hotel to change and grab some dinner.  Most of the team staying at the same place, we assembled for a team dinner in town.  Well, sorta.  No place big enough to seat us all, so we broke into a few groups and split in different locations.  So, more like team walk followed by dinner.  Close enough.

After a cloudy and wet Saturday, race day Sunday was sunny and perfect.  Yes please.  We now switch from rambling dialog to photos complete with rambling comments...

Junior high boys ready to roll.  My "Northshore Knobbies" blinding all in yellow.

Off they go up the semi-steep pavement start. 

Ian leads the team up the start hill.  Go team go... 

Fast high school girl - number 1 plate as proof. 

Andy grabs some air at speed.

Matt bombs the downhill.  Last race of the series, but first race ever for Matt.  Nice job. 

Jack goes with the flow.  Funny, likable kid - fun to have on the team.

Andy pulls off a 6th place finish, best on our team for the day.  Great job! 

Sean out on the Rough 'N' Bumpy course.  None of it on the actual motocross track, but cut across it at times - looping into nearby woods and meadows.  Tough but fun course.

Zane sprints hard across the finish line.  Doesn't matter what place he's in, goes all out.  Great stuff. 

Ian at speed, despite droopy knee warmers... 

Most scenic venue of the series was a motocross track.  Who knew? 

Ian powers over the finish line.  After a fast start, faded towards the back.  I'm still proud of him, mountain bike racing ain't easy... 

Some high school boys looking pro.

Traffic in the S curve.  Film at eleven.

The finishing climb. 

A few of the kids who hung around for the awards ceremony.  Cool, eh? 

After the dust cleared, my team scored second overall for the series.  Fantastic way to end the season.  I'm proud of 'em all.

Great weekend to cap off the series.  Oh yeah, I also raced in the "Coach's Race" held to celebrate the end of it all.  Two painful laps around the bumpy and hilly course.  Ill prepared I was, cruising in for DFL.  Ouch, but still had fun.  Cool way to end the season.

The racing may be over, but we still had a few rides and events on the team agenda.  More to follow...

Washington Student League - Race # 3

The race continues to get this little ol' blog updated.  The racing also continues, well continued, for the fine young lads on my junior high team. Race # 3 of the Washington Student League series took place on May 5th, hence my timely, but aged, report on the festivities.

Without further ado, actual photos and rambling comments about the day...

Under a blazing sun, temps in the 80s to broil everyone.  After the usual chilly Pacific Northwest winter and spring, jumping to 80 degrees not easy.  Hot 'N' Dusty was the order of the day.  Race venue being 360 Park, located in scenic Gig Harbor, Washington.  First time there for son Ian and I.  Always cool to ride somewhere new.

Zane, Jack, and Dylan ponder the start and damage retinas with bright yellow shirts.

Don't tread on me.

Zane battles the heat and dust.  This kid always puts in a great effort - awesome.

Dylan on the attack.  Fantastic effort that earned him a 3rd place podium spot for the day.  Our best team results so far for the series.  Very nice indeed.

My son Ian, showing a glimpse of his former junior level racing form, rode in for 5th place.  Great job.

Jack does a little sand surfing.  Course a mixture of double and singletrack, fun loop to enjoy for all.

Scotty races through the woods in his second ever mountain bike race.

Post race discussion courtesy of Zane, Dylan and Jack.  Yeah, it was hot and tough out there.

A wave of high schoolers hits the course.

This kid is ripping it.  Check out the mini roosts coming off the wheels.  Cool!

Will, member of our partner high school team, with some corner blur action.

Brandon, also on the high school team, looking good.  I dig this pic, if I can say so myself, shooting races is a blast.

Welcome to Wheelie Town, this kid will be your tour guide.

What it's all about.  Will and fellow racer showing some start line good sportsmanship.

Fun day that ended on slightly bad note, my son Ian overdoing it in the heat.  Pre-ride, then race effort, followed by hanging out in the sun for hours, topped off by another lap of the course for the rec ride.  Wheels fell off the wagon during the last ride - toasted and nauseous - so we took the shortest route back.  Water, shade, then loaded him up ASAP to hit the road for home.

After a stop for pizza and more liquids, passed out in the car, and woke up feeling okay.  Yikes.  Besides that little misadventure, a pretty successful day for all.  Mountain bike racing is quite the adventure.

Washington Student League - Race # 2

Hot off the presses, race report from the second race of the Washington Student League series.  Race took place on April 28th - so uh - maybe not that hot.  We'll call it lukewarm - okay - cold off the presses.

Better late then never as they say, whoever they is.  Race venue was held on some military property near Tacoma, Washington.  Joint Base Lewis McChord to be semi-exact.  Mixture of dirt roads and singletrack greeted the racers, along with decent weather.

Racer Boy Son, Ian, actually raced on this property a few years ago for a cyclocross race - exactly when - a blur at this point.  He elected to skip this race, so no revisit for him.  With or without Ian, me being coach, a revisit was in store for me.

A few Pics 'N' Words from the day.  For the record, kids in bright yellow t-shirts on my junior high team, neon orange shirts belong to our partner high school team.  All others assorted racers from other schools...

Zane stands tall on the start line. 

One of the many starting waves of kids hitting the course.  It gets a bit steeper shortly.

See?  I told you it gets steeper.  My boys in yellow, from left to right: Jack, Sean, Andy, and Dylan. 

The fun continues.  Jack powers towards the top, Sean in push mode, Zane spins his way up.  Mountain bike racin' ain't easy.

Sean makes his way up the start hill.  Also his first ever mountain bike race - great job.

Jack blurs the course with speed. 

Under a glaring spring sun, Zane crosses the finish line. 

 Brandon and Will get ready to rumble in the fast high school division.

 Anders rolling the 29er in the high school class.

High school racer Zac clears the log pile. 

Brandon railing the singletrack section. 

This tight right hander claimed a few victims. 

Lots of fast kids abound, boys and girls.

Everyone rode and raced well.  Will put some extra icing on the cake with 3rd place podium finish.  Awesome.

Fun day all around and a great experience for all.  Super cool to see these young racers, experienced or not, give the course and fellow competitors a go.  Until next time...