Last year, we tried to take a group of our team members on their first camping trip - and it tanked. We kept communication open, as we do, and continued to ride with the youth willing to show up. We’d spent the summer training for a big mileage goal, riding the Capital Trail to Williamsburg, and we intended to keep working toward that goal.
After two following bad rides with the team, we had to set a hard boundary. In order to come ride with us, we needed apology letters. Only one manifested, but our presence in Fairfield Court didn’t waver. We focused more on the fact that without the boys around, the ladies came out in stronger numbers than ever. This isn’t uncommon, the girls usually don’t want to ride with the boys so we often schedule rides to make everyone comfortable in their own space.
We were glad to grow the number of ladies riding with us, and even though the level of shenanigans didn’t change, we met several new riders that joined the squad. That’s good news to us.
Imagine Matt’s surprise three weeks ago when he starts getting a bunch of messages from numbers he doesn’t recognize, asking “Can we race?” Kids coming out of the woodwork, wanting to race again - just in time for the VAHS series to kickoff!
The Stokesville camping trip crew was ready to try again, and they were prepared to jump into race season even though they had almost zero time on the bike under their belts. The allure of travel with friends, meals out, and a competitive experience is strong.
With the younger crew of middle schoolers already on deck, and a returning high school rider - this sudden influx of racers was something to think about. We were excited for the opportunity to keep working with the Stokesville crew, but also worried about the fighting and language we knew they would bring to the table.
Chip, our returning high schooler, battling through the elevation gain
With a race on deck right as the barrage of messages came in, the Stokesville race was off the table for most of the troublesome crew. The younger middle schoolers did GREAT, had a fun experience and were ready for more - especially with adventure downtime between races with Matt.
The next one up was Western Albermarle High School, and the older middle schoolers were ready to jump in there. Pickups went shockingly well for a large group, and we were able to leave Richmond only about 20 minutes late - record time for juggling seven strong personalities. We paused to grab breakfast for the team, then finished our drive out west to the race.
With a staging time of 10:25, we got into a ready line at about 10:15 - waiting to be called to line up in order by the VAHS officials. Everyone was jittery, anxious, excited, and ready to go. The START horn went off, and off they went! We headed to the singletrack close by to catch them coming through a little rock garden, then again at a tough climb. It was a great place to cheer everyone on as they came through a fast berm and swooped into a little uphill switchback.
Roland in his SECOND RACE EVER
One of our supporters, a long-term VAHS official, was working sweep and chasing some of our guys up the hills. We had a good chuckle at the end - apparently all of our guys were lobbying threats to throw up out in the woods, and we just had to laugh. Everyone finished their race in one piece, a couple gentle spills, but generally stoked to have finished and hit their goal of completing.
It was pizza time, and with some big drama in the air brewing between the younger and older middle schoolers, we split the crowd. Matt took the older crew to Crozet Pizza, and I stayed back with two younger guys to keep working on the situation.
Key was angry about a boundary cross and disrespectful language from the older guys, and was imploding. Matt had worked through the circular conversation before departing, and after the older guys left, we had a bit longer to talk it out without an audience. We decided that the best way to shake out our feelings was to go explore and ride. Key’s little brother was along for the trip, and desperately wanted to ride around with company. He was racing any willing rider in the parking area while we watched for traffic, and was HYPED to have learned proper brake control on this trip (instead of riding into the woods line and understory.)
We headed to the trails, cheering for the ladies team. It’s International Women’s Mountain Biking day, and Key tells me “I’ve never seen a girl ride a bike like that.” as the high school ladies face off. I’m glad he’s getting to see it happen, and we talk about how strong they are an the training that goes into it.
We turn the bad time around in that moment, but it comes back to cloud the day later.
It was pizza time, and there was a joyous lunch. The older middle schoolers headed back toward home with me, and Matt stayed with the younger guys that wanted to watch Chip, Junior and Marshaun race in the high school field at 4:45pm.
It was a long day, with the final message hitting Matt’s phone at about 11pm - a disagreement between the days riders still stewing.
Brandon working his way up the little climb
We’re back hosting programming with our school groups for the next two weeks, with the final race for us on May 17th at Miller School. Wish us luck! This wild crew will certainly make it interesting.
We’re soaking up the last days of in-school and after school cycling with the Anna Cooper Julia School students, and have our final week coming with the Boys and Girls Club Southside and East End.
Our final ride with the Franklin Military School afterschool bike club is Monday, with three sessions left with John Marshall as well. School is about to wrap up, and we’re looking forward to having access to youth in more normal hours - even though the daytime heat can be tough to manage. Cheers to more River time as well!