Meet The Team Ride - A Call to Roll

Saturday morning, we rolled out our "Meet The Team Ride", looking to round up local 7th - 12th graders for a trail ride and yapping session. Yapping involving spreading the word of our Northshore Composite team and the Evergreen Washington Student League.

We didn't do all that much advertising, usual Facebook announcement, along with a blurb in the Northshore school district emailed news gig.  A few folks emailed for additional info, but overall, not much buzz about it.  We didn't know if five folks or fifty would show on Saturday morning. Event scheduled for 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at our home stomping grounds, Saint Edward State Park.  Fellow league coaches Troy and Marne also signed on to assist.

I slept and left late, riding over to the park and arriving about 9:55 AM.  Few folks waiting at the parking lot.  By 10:15 or so, more folks gathering.  We wound up with 26 people for the ride.  Current student/teammates, new kids, some parents also along for the ride.  Fantastic!

After me blabbing for 15 minutes or so about the team and league, with some additional comments from Troy and Marne - a few questions answered - and off we all rode.  Quite the string of riders.  A cool sight indeed.

Social cruise along the trails of St Ed and Big Finn Hill parks, occasional stopping to regroup.  I rode sweep and chatted a bit with Oliver, 7th grader new to the area.  He's riding the downhill oriented bike, single chainring, large backpack full of who knows what.  He had to push up a few hills, but still seemed to have a good time.

Also towards the back, a father/son combo, in the parking lot by sheer coincidence while we signed folks on - now officially on our ride.  Son from the local high school.  Beginner mountain bikers, complete with toe straps 'n' clips hanging upside down, waiting to grab every trail obstacle.  Even so, they appeared to have a great time and mixed in with the crowd.

Towards the end of the ride, two high school seniors, dirt jumper types - pulled off a bit early - after a great conversation.  They're interested in trying cross country oriented riding/racing and promoting mountain biking at their school.  Very cool.

After about an hour of trail cruising, we're back at our starting spot, ending the ride with a slow race across one of the St Ed's green lawns.  Last one across the line wins, no dabs.  Foot down and you're out.  Matt, current teammate taking the win.  A bit of closing yapping, answering questions, handing out league pamphlets 'n' stickers, and we call it a day.  Photo above as proof, courtesy of coach Troy.

Overall, I'd call the ride a success and expect to see some of these kids on our team come spring...

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 - Final Chapter for 2013

We now officially conclude our Washington Student League team - Northshore Middle School Composite - for the season.  Well, as of a few weeks ago, call me late to the blogging party.  The "Northshore Knobbies" now shelved until 2014.

We Rode 'N' Raced from March into June, it all went pretty well.  Good group of kids, parents, and adult volunteers.  

Before we pulled the plug, squeezed in a few more outings...

Trail work party on our home trails of Saint Edward - Big Finn Hill.  We had a great turnout, pic missing a few folks who also pitched in.  Pic and work party organization courtesy of Tom Fitzpatrick, who's very involved with keeping mountain bikers welcome on our local trails.  Tom also assisted us on team rides and his grandson was on the team.

Then another team outing to Duthie Hill mountain bike park.  This place always a hit with the kids, young and old...

Ian, that be my son, launches off a practice jump - while Jack watches from below.

Ian, Zane, and Steve hit the berms on Bootcamp - that even makes old school me feel like the flowmaster.  Steve is dad to Jack, and happens to own Recycled Cycles in Seattle.

Andy going with the flow.

Jack shows off his levitation skills.

Ian with a little pre-load jump action.

Dylan brought his DH bike to festivities and showed off his jumping skills.

Only place to go is up.  Old school XC me - no thanks...

Pacific Northwest trees and sunny skies.

Dylan hits the wall ride.

Finally, to cap off the season, team ride at Tiger Mountain.  Tiger is a local classic, 3+ mile steep dirt road climb - then miles of twisty, rooty, rocky, singletrack.  About 14 miles total, the real deal - including the new section at the very top - new school berms and rollers, mixing with existing rough XC trail.  All good fun and fun for all.  Followed by a team meal in Issaquah, nice way to end the season.

Crappy iPhone video of Andy and Ian hitting a section at Tiger.  Better then nothing...

And with that - we're done!  Quickly worded conclusion to it all.  I've never run anything like this before, so learned a lot.  I was extremely lucky and had some cool folks assist with team, couldn't have done this alone.  The kids seemed to enjoy it, they certainly got faster as the weeks progressed.  Parent comments were positive, so all around, think it went okay.

Adios 2013 season, see you in 2014...

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...