Miner's blog, jr?

Last night Nicholas started racing his bike. This process started a few months ago when he asked me when he could start racing like me. After I explained to him that he was still a bit too young at only 5 years old to start road racing, I let him know that there was an alternative and that was BMX racing. He seemed interested in seeing what it was all about so we ventured over to the Akron Derby Downs BMX track. His good friend Gavin Parr has been out there a few times so it was a good opportunity to ease any fears that he might have about the sport. Wanting to make sure that he really wanted to do this, I took him out there multiple times, just so he could get a good feel for what he would have to do to make it from the start line to the finish line, and to make sure he was sure he wanted to do it. Sometimes with kids, their opinions can change fairly quickly on what they want so before we made any financial commitment on equipment, race license, etc., I wanted to make sure he was serious. Tuesday night when I asked him if he wanted to go to swim lessons or race his bike, it was a quick decision...race his bike.


Once we got to the track last night, we quickly got Nicholas registered and almost immediately found that the volunteer staff out there is absolutely amazing. It was really cool to see how everyone there was so helpful to Nicholas and I. He quickly found a mentor named Greg who had two sons also racing who took him up to the start gate and helped him around the track several times until he could get the hang of it. I'm really thankful for him being there because it took a few turns before he realized how much speed he really needed to have to get up and over those big ramps. I always thought Nicholas was a big kid until I saw him out there. He looked as small as the day he was born. What impressed me most about Greg and the other volunteers out there who make the races possible, is that they love the kids and the sport, and are willing to do whatever they can to make sure you have a positive experience. Not sure I've seen that kind of expression of interest in any of the local races that I've competed in. Not saying I've had bad experiences because for the most part, they have all been positive. I'm just saying it was totally different.

Nicholas did well, I can't really give a good race report and let's face it, you probably don't want to hear one from me. I was just happy to see that at the end of the evening he was thrilled with the trophy that he won (he slept with it) and that he's anxious to go back again.

brian