Wow, That Was a Gap

We had another beautiful day for a race.  It was cool, the course was shady and it seemed there were just enough hills out there to be James's kind of course.

From what I understand there was no designated winner - we're close to Nationals and the two 10-12s that trade off winning races weren't getting any help from the bigger boys.  If they were going to win, it was up to them.  Of course, if they got a gap then their teammates would help, but they had to make it happen.  Brody went first early in the race.  I haven't talked to him, but maybe he was being a decoy or maybe he was going for it.  He looked strong, but when they came back around the 1.2 mile course, the peloton had caught him.

A couple more laps and then James attacked.  (A sick feeling hit the pit of my stomach - there were six laps to go.  Probably 2-3 more than he could hold the lead.)  One of our toughest competitors was there and he rides this particular course almost every week so he knew every curve and the best places to attack.

 

He came around again and he was still in the lead, but the announcer told the group that the crowd would overtake him, but James apparently didn't hear him because he just kept motoring up the hill.  His teammates were doing their job by blocking and slowing down the pack.

He came around again and it really seemed like the gap had widened.  I didn't see anyone around the turn.  Could he make it?  I said a quick prayer that reiterated what we prayer before every race.  "Father, glorify Yourself with this race.  Whether he wins or loses, it's for Your glory."  Boy, I really wanted him to win, but he still had so long to go.

He was really gutting it out when he came around me.  There was so much determination on his face.  I was so proud of him at that moment because I know he was hurting, but he wasn't giving up.

It seemed to take an eternity for them to come around the last time.  Then, in the shadows I saw a bike, but I wasn't sure who it was because, of course, I watch the races through my camera lens.

But then I realized I knew those moves, those pedal strokes, the way those hands gripped the handlebars....it was James.  He still had a gap.  In fact, as the announcer pointed out, it had widened on the last lap.  It was such an exciting race.  It's very seldom that a lone rider attacks and makes it.  It takes so much energy and it does get lonely out there, but this time he did it.

And for that, he got a gold Georgia Games medal.  Way to go, James.  

Hightlights from the Georgia Games Road Race

Today was the Georgia Games Road Race and it was a beauty of a day.  I decided to just share some of my favorite sights from the day.  

Ever wonder what happens to riders that crash and their bikes totally tear up and there is no team car riding right behind them to give them another bike?  (Those Tour riders are so spoiled.)

Well, they just get up and walk to the finish line.  Bless his heart, there was a horrible crash, but he finished.

This is the face of a kid who just won his first race.  He worked really hard for another guy at our last races.  Love that smile and how his dad is right there with him.

It was perfect day for a race....not too hot and the guys were able to ride in the shade for most of the almost 18 miles.  What a great looking group of kids.

Perfect setting in all ways - just a lovely idyllic setting.  Hope you all are enjoying your weekend.

Cycling for Parkinsons

Every year our team helps sponsor the Cycling for Parkinsons races.  (Did you know there was a study for people with Parkinsons where they road tandem with someone to see if cycling affected their symptoms.  I don't remember the details, but generally that did help.)

This weekend are the races.  Today was the road race and tomorrow is the criterium.  At the road race, the "little" juniors had a pretty big field.  

When they came around after the first lap (of a two lap race), James was still with the older kids.  (They often race only 10-12 year-olds.  This race all the "little" juniors, including the 13-14 year-olds, were racing.)

When they came around at the end of the second lap, I heard the parents that were up the hill yelling "Go James!  Go James!"  When I could make out the riders, I could see that James was leading the entire field.

He was the first one across the line of the 10-14 year-olds.  The team worked together so well.  I heard from his coach that he had a beautiful attack and that his teammates helped block and slowdown the field so he could get away.

Very exciting.  Tomorrow will be another hot day...stay tuned.  Maybe he will get to help someone else win.

State Crit

James had hopes of winning the state crit even though he is an 11-year-old racing in the 10-12 year old age group.

  

It was a hot day and we hadn't exactly been focused on race diet and rest because we were having way too much fun with cousins who were visiting.  (Six Flags was a lot of fun.)

It was a tough race and James ended up riding alone for a good bit of the race.  That'll use up a lot of energy fast.  He still came in 2nd.  He'll get 'em next year.  

I'm going to get you caught up on baseball...I'll leave you with a teaser.  Pee wee games are 5 innings.  The game today went to 7 - a nail biter!

Tour de Tuscaloosa

Last weekend James and I went to Tuscaloosa for a crit and a road race.  He had done the road race last year, but we hadn't done the crit.  We were in for such a pleasant surprise.

It was a great course - hilly, lots of turns (but no bad ones) and right through downtown T-town.  You'd never know that morning it had been storming cats and dogs.

The weather was fabulous.  James is the single rider a bit in the middle here coming up a long uphill.  I say the weather was fabulous, but it was very windy.  Windy is not so good for riders, especially ones that don't weigh so much.  Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and not being cold for a change.

He had a good race - he is sprinting against the national tri champion here.  Matt's 12 and he and James seem to battle it out a lot.  In this race he came in 4th, but was the fastest 11-year-old (well, race age 11 - I know he's really 10 still).  A very solid outing for him.

The next day was a different story.  That front that started with the rain ended with cold weather.  The race started at Lake Lurleen so the guys warmed up on the pier - no wind chill there.  I immediately started whining about the cold - I just can't help it when it is very close to 40 degrees.

James lost track of where the lead pack was and thought he had caught up with it.  Unfortunately, he hadn't.  Nevertheless, he still came in 5th and still was the fastest 11-year-old.  Ian McShane won the race - this kid may be the best 12-year-old in the country.

It was a great trip and fun races.  Next year we're going to try harder to get our friends to come watch the Crit...we think they'll like it.