Helmet Cam

Sean wanted to try out the new helmet cam. Hopefully, future posts come out a little better. None the less, it still kind of fun.

Kory Cook Benefit Bellflower 10.10.09

Sean and his buddy Spencer raced at the Kory Cook Benefit in Bellflower on Saturday. Sean 2nd Spencer 3rd in the 9 Novice class. Racing in an age group 1 year older, Sean just didn't quite have the leg speed to catch the 1st place rider. After the first round, he came in saying "that kid looks like a 10 year old". I must admit he did. Sean was right there until about 3/4 down the first straight and stayed a bike length behind the remainder. He has a really strong gate and just needs consistent races to build up his pedal speed or cadence. It was cool to watch Spensor at his first race, overcoming the jitters, etc. I finally got out on the track as well on my 24". First time ever on a BMX track. Didn't race, just practiced. It was great fun chasing Sean and a pretty good workout as well. Something that I recommend all parents do, especially if your kids are in sports that you never participated in. Jump in! For those of us that are competitive and sometimes critical, It will give you a renewed appreciation. Especially when you have to work overtime to catch the little man : )>. Today we are going to the beach.....skim boarding..hmmm - I think I will just hold my toungue.

Bellflower Benefit Race - October 10, 2009

Bellflower Benefit Race - There is a benefit race in Bellflower on Saturday, October 10. The benefit is for the Cook family. The dad past away recently. He and his son were regular's at the Orange Y and Bellflower tracks, http://www.bellflowerbmx.com/. Sean and I and maybe Jessi will be going. I can take as many as three other kids with me if anyone wants to come along. We will be leaving around 9:00AM and probably be back by 1:30. Next week there are Nationals in Lancaster. Most of the local tracks will be closed. I do not think we are going to make the Nationals this time but I checked and the Whittier Narrows track is open for racing and practice on Saturday http://www.whittiernarrowsbmx.com/. I believe we are going to check it out. Once again, if your child wants to come, there is always room in our truck. It is fun to go to other tracks and this one just opened in June 2009 so it's probably pretty nice

BMX National's - Olympic Training Center Chula Vista

At first I thought - Chula Vista? Land must be cheap. While that may be, the Olympic training center is an awesome place. Sean and I went to the Nationals. Sean raced - a little bit more on that to follow. The track is awesome, bigger, faster and better groomed than that what we are used to. It is the 4th track Sean has raced on. First, a shout out to Morning Ride - John took the time to give Sean's wheels a "truing". Second we met a new family, the Spot's. They are from the central valley. Their son, Brodie is a 7 expert, fast and sponsored by Clayborn. They are a class act, very helpful and we look forward to hopefully furthering a friendship with them. Sean's day was good and bad. Only being his 2nd race since May combined with no practice on this monstrous track, the nerves over took him. He didn't transfer in the 2 rounds needed to qualify. We talked about 2 lessons learned - 1. NEVER GIVE UP - Fight to the finish. He crashed in the second round going for it to pass 2nd place to qualify. 2. Everyone rides the same track and it is just another race. What a great day. I am going to organize a trip in the near future as they will be racing there regularly. You all come to the next one.

Bellflower and Etnies Aug 22-23

Had a great weekend racing at Bellflower and Etnies this past weekend. Jessi and Sean both took 2nd place at Bellflower and we introduced a new rider to Etnies Skate Park on Sunday. I was really excited to see Jessi hang it out there and beat the other boys. Both she and Sean had points races. I could tell it gave her a new level of confidence. With a little more practice there will be some male humilation in the 11 year old novice class. Without acting like an overly competitive dad, Sean should have taken 1st on Saturday. I'll just leave it at that. Overall, not a bad first weekend back after the swim season. On Sunday we introduced Spencer (one of Sean's local "buds") to Etnies. Sean took dad's challenge and dropped into the 1/4 pipe, rode the flow and street course and Spencer tested the waters on the street course. Most importantly, they had a lot of fun. It's always more fun with your bro's along. Sean was really excited that he took the challenge and earned a pair of Odessy Camelion Pedals. Thanks for reading. Come and race with us this weekend.

Swim's Over

Swim season is over. We will be racing again, possibly this weekend. Hope to see you all out there.

Orange Y May 22

I have got to start remembering to take the camera again. MaxAir was in full force last night at Orange Y. Ryan and Pierce did not make it but the Leech's and DuCharme's were there with the exception of Jessi and Melissa being sick and at home watching movies. We were all supposed to go to Glenn Helen for the outdoor AMA National Motocross races (Sat) but that ain't happening unfortunately. Well back to the races. Big daddy DuCharme and Shane took 3rd as did Sean. I am so focused on Sean and Jessi when they are racing that I sometimes miss the others. I did pick up Shane's race. He's looking good. In the main a kid clipped his back wheel coming out of the second berm and went down pretty hard but he's alright. Sean is coming off the gate really fast and looking smooth. He just needs to stay on top of the gear a little more. I bumped his freewheel up a tooth and that is helping somewhat. His determination is back where it needs to be as he had a little set back moving up to the 8 year old class. He just needs to race and build his leg endurance and fitness up. He is a fit kid, being on the swim team, but racing bmx is like an 800 yard sprint for 45 seconds. Orange Y on Sunday and possibly Bellflower on Monday night. Peddle on BMXer's.