Rockwell just got his ABA (American Bicycle Assn) magazine in the mail.
Turns out Rockwell is ranked 30th in the state in points, and 3rd in his age bracket! In the whole state! Whats crazy is he only started racing this last summer, so he missed all the points that come with the spring series! Oh, and BTW, he did that using the tracks loaner bike. Kathi said he is really missing his bike. One funny anecdote… Kath said that during the duathlon, the bike section of the race was a loop in a parking lot with speed bumps. While some of the kids where slowing down to go over them, Rockwell was jumping them at full speed. Funny. Sounds like Rockwell.
Also, he was promoted from the novice category to the intermediate category, so he will probably be racing against older kids when he gets back.
Anyway, here is Rockwells name in the magazine: (Click for larger picture)
And Rockwell was bumped up into the older kids race. This means he was up against two 9yo boys and two 10yo boys. (where as before he was against girls and boys his age and less.)
Three races: He came in second twice and third once! I was actually looking forward to this being done. I was wondering how he would perform under pressure. He did great.
I also have a picture of Melinda! She was with us at the race. Since it was the last race of the season, they had a bonfire at the track too.
It’s a long story, but we fell into a great deal on a compound bow, a bunch of arrows, and an really nice wall mounted hanger for it all. Melinda has wanted a bow for over a year, and when she saw this one, she wouldn’t stop looking at it. I had to buy it. Here She is showing off her Early Christmas present in front of a bonfire. She did not set it down for an hour.
I have been busy with the kids and stuff lately..Rockwell had BMX practice this Friday and a Race this Saturday, AND, he was in the Columbia County Christmas parade with the BMX group yesterday.. it was a three day BMX weekend.
Melinda and Hannah were there too, Here is Melinda watching the talent during the newscast of the parade.
AND, I dont have any pictures of it, but Melinda tried out for one of the 15 slots in the talent show (Evidently 40+ kids are trying out) and got in! She was very excited. Her and a friend are doing a dance to AJ and Ally’s “whoa”. Ill make sure to record it. The contest is this Thursday.
Notice how he looks to where he wants to go in the turns, not to where his bike is heading. This is very important to do.
Actually, everything he does here is right. He takes the straight line everywhere, he dominates the middle of the track in the straights, he does not bother to look to see where his challenger is.
I don’t know why I find this so entertaining, but I do.. It’s so funny watching the chickens chase after these bugs!
Last night Was Rockwell’s first “official” race as a NBL member. He did really well! He is down to 1 minute from the gate to the finish line.. If that does not mean anything to you, consider that that is my same pace! I can’t believe he is already as fast as I am.
Melinda must have been impressed with that trophy Rockwell got.. because she wants to race too. So we decided to visit the track tonight. It’s a practice night. When she first got on the track she was timid, but it took her all of 5 times around the track to be right in the mix with the other kids!
It was funny; at first she wanted NOTHING to do with that gate. It was way too loud and intimidating. Then, somewhere along the line I told her she was going to have to try the gate sooner or later, because you have to start against it if you race.
About 5 minutes later, I look around, and she is trying it by herself! Normally I would help hold her back wheel and set up, but she just did it on her own. This was a little after the Gate manager spent about 5 minutes with Rockwell, showing him how to balance. Obviously she was listening in too!
About 4 gates later, she is actually balancing at the gate. That is no minor fete. That is what this video is..
Here is a good picture of BOTH of them balancing at the gate.
Church had the rally day this weekend, so I got the cotton candy machine AND the popcorn machine out of storage. It was quite a hit. Nothing like some good old fashioned popcorn made with coconut oil to remind you what popcorn is supposed to taste like. Specifically, not out of the microwave…
Rockwell really did well for his first day racing! He came in third during the heats, and 4th in the final race. I’d say a successful day! The first heat he was in a pretty bad three bike crash in the 4th turn, but he got right back up and crossed the finish line. I checked on him and asked him if he was OK, and he said “I’m fine dad!” as in “I’m having too much fun to worry about it”.
I have a feeling you are going to see a lot more posts concerning BMX in the future!
