Lil' help from a local

So after seeing the following video I had a silly idea....http://factoryjackson.com/2012/08/08/trek-bikes-meet-the-all-new-2013-stache-29er/

...let's see if we can get Jonah Howe on one of those bikes.  Ross Schnell, the guy in the video, lives a mile away, graduated from GJHS, is an all-around nice guy, AND he was super psyched when I told him last Spring about the team and the league, so I figured why not shoot him an email????   In the email I gave a quick summary of the season, and individual results --and then I threw in a little BTW--If you happen to have an extra Stache in your garage I have a "ringer" that could make that bike fly.

He took me a lot more seriously than I had thought.  It's not a Stache, but even cooler...

Now make it fly Jonah!!

Why I do what I do...

Today was one of those days that reminded me of what a great thing we have going here...

Parents Johnny Morris, John Howe, and Chris Pipkin made a sweet bermed corner at the trail intersection. 

While the other parents were cleaning the staging area.

And this is what they ended-up with, literally a truck-load of garbage. 

The other guys do help a little, BUT, Evan Pipkin is our secret weapon. 

And afterward we "ate fresh."

Did I mention that the team rocked-out two laps of the race course while all this insanity was takin' place???

THIS.......is why I LOVE what I do.  Thank you everybody that came out today!!:)

BMX is da BOMB!

We started out with five laps to get warmed-up, and then Steven gave us a little "Pumpin' for Dummies" lesson.  Some really good pointers from a seasoned veteran.

"B" has the right position going into the bump. LIGHT on the front, HEAVY on the back.

Bryce showed some steeze on the track, certainly not his first rodeo on the BMX track.

Eric wants to ride bikes any chance he gets--and the "proof is in the pudding."  He's tearin' it up this year. 

Tanner also found out how much fun you can have on a BMX track.

And I hate to toot my own horn, but TOOT--TOOT!  Not bad position.  But back, elbows out, head-up---I'll get there some day.

Nobody is smoother that Steven.  In the Friday night races he won two VERY tough races.  Way to go Steven! 

Why do I love BMX?

• BMX builds bike handling skills .
• BMX teaches you how to race in a pack.
• BMX is a great workout (we did ten intervals of fifty seconds with thirty seconds rest in between)
• BMX is FUN----and you know what-----riding a bike is FUN!!!!!!!!!! 

What a way to start the season!

The race weekend got off to a great start with a pre-ride on Saturday, that gave the racers a little feel for what the sandy course would throw their way on raceday.  We then had some subs, and a lot of fun with a pinata.

After a wild evening of pinata breaking-- we got to bed early.  The next morning, GVYC pioneer and parent, John Howe, was up early preparing the breakfast of champions, and our secret weapon.  I'd list the ingredients, but I know the other teams in the league are reading our blog.

After a good dose of "the secret weapon" for breakfast we headed on over to the Pitzone and got our race faces on.  There were approximately seventy more racers at the event this year than last year--and a TON of them were ladies... 

Including Marta Morris, our young "Freshwoman" that smoked the entire JV field. 

Our JV boys also had an awesome race.  Trey Lopez has been doing what it takes in the off season and it paid-off.  Trey finished a STRONG third in what was an extremely competitive JV field. 

(Insert picture of Trey on the podium with a big smile.)

Unfortunately, due to "timing issues," they did

no awards for any of the boys divisions. 

BOOOOOOO!!!!!  For the league, YEEAAAHHHH for Trey!

J-Quacks also had a great race going before it was cut short due to the confusion/ chaos that ended-up dominating the afternoon.

Our Sophomore racers also threw the hammer down.  Eric Pipkin and Jonah Howe lead the Sophomores with seventh and eighth finshes respectively.  Steven Adams had an awesome race, finishing fourteenth, and not far behind were Tannner Mast and John David.  (Results still weren't posted on Tanner and John)  These guys did battle in an extremely competitive division of about forty racers.  Way to go Sophomores!!!!!!!!!!

We also had two Freshman riding their legs off on Sunday.  Ryan Deppe finished right in the middle of the Freshman field and had a great race.

Finally, Freshman Aidan Clark is getting my award for "Racer of the Week."  Aidan has been sick for about two weeks now, and he came out and still "put it all out there."  And when I say "put it all out there" I mean that both figuratively and LITERALLY.  Despite his physical issues, Aidan was able to still crack the TOP TEN and score some big points for the team.  Way to stick it out there Aidan!!!!!!!!!!

 

MONDAY...MONDAY...MONDAY

Monday is a big day for the team.  We meet on the south side of Grand Junction High School at 8:00 am to head out to the proposed race course in the North Fruita Desert.  We should be back between 11:00 and 12:00.

Then it's a BBQ at the Quackenbush household.  Contact coach Skinner if you need more info..

Awesome ride tonight!!

We had twelve racers out tonight at the Kokopelli trails for our Monday night ride....and it was just the ride they needed.

Coach Quackenbush had a great plan on trail selection for something that would be a good practice for our first race venue in Nathrop.  It was a good hour and a half ride, with some decent climbing, and lots of pedaling on "open road" with room to pass.  We maintained a pretty high tempo--as usual--Jonah Howe lead from the get-go, but it was awesome for the coaches to see that there were quite a few others hot on his wheel.  Including a couple gals--that are really going to push the team this season.

One other fun thing for the coach to watch was the climb back up to the parking lot.  We decide to make it a "last one up is a rotten egg" kind of thing--when young Freshman Aidan Clark threw down the gauntlet by crushing that climb--way to go Aidan! 

Eric's Choice

At the BMX track Friday night Eric Pipkin made the call--and Kokopelli it is.  We'll meet at the first parking area with the bathrooms and ride from there.  We'll be leaving my classrom about 3:20, which means the ride probably won't get started until 3:45 for those of you traveling from other schools.  Can't wait to get the team out there!!