Dirt Camp

I got involved with the a local non-profit community centre to help out with a week long Dirt Camp. After a week speculation, I can safely say I am firmly planted in the xc discipline and on the ground with the fogies. The kids, grades 6-8, had very little interest in the mechanics of climbing position, power transfer or weight shifting or any of the technical cycling knowledge I tried to impart on them. It seemed more about how "bouncy" (the term "rebound"never really caught on) one's forks were and how minimalist the ventilation was on one's brain bucket.

And, of course, points are awarded for GQ style as demonstrated here by Aaron.

My self cooling, none bobbing setup was quickly dismissed. Greg was my wing man. Where I specialized in encouraging the kids to break themselves he was pretty good at patching them up and then filling out the accident reports. The Jack Lemmon to my Walter Mathau.

Phil getting sutured after throwing himself in front of Marco who had lost control
and was careening towards certain tears. Truly selfless.

From what I gather they seemed to be of the school that likes to have their bikes airborne as much as possible and the 'contact patch' was not so much where the tire touches the ground, but was located on the sides and top of the helmet. These kids didn't believe in spending hard earned allowance on a helmet they would never put to use, in the most literal sense. I must say, I got caught up in it all, until the nose of my saddle got caught in the hole I had unknowingly worn in the baggies that I had donned for the sake everyone's modesty, and I endo'd hard. This firmly convinced me to reestablished my more conventional 'contact patch' style of riding.

There was, typically, one kid who absolutely hated riding his bike. How he got involved in a week long day camp centered entirely on biking is a mystery. We did manage to cajole him to the outer reaches of his comfort zone and I was fortunate enough to capture to moment in this action still.

Tanner slaying the hump

Tanner had originally only agreed to stand atop the hump with his steed in hand. I don't think it was so much the peer pressure that changed his mind, as much as the inability to control said steed to bring it to a stop before he was 'aloft'. Bring it, Tanner: Brought!

Let's do it again in August! If you want to get your kid in on the hella (I picked up some new slang, as well!) wicked action ask around at local bike shops or community centres. I learned a lot and had fun, and I hope the chillen did, too.

Oh, and it rained, too. Just like it did in Ontario for Chico Racing's 24hr Summer Solstice race last weekend. Reports tell me that the first 2km were removed right away due to mud and soon into the race the final 1.5km where removed for the same wheel jamming, shift sabotaging, snot slick reason. After 12 hours of misery the gate was closed to additional laps. Kudos to Replicator (over at ECMTB) [edit: CK over at Cogeyed] for pulling out a 4th place finish with his partner. I don't think he'll mind if I hook you up to his pictures.

I hope the weather will pull together for the next big race here in the extreme east. Bruce at Hub Cycle is well known for putting on awesome events and he's back at it in Wentworth Valley, NS. Bruce and I rode the Trans Gaspisie together last year. Well, 'together' with Bruce 5-10km ahead of me.

Go big or go... small, medium even; 100km, 70km or 30km.

This race features Nova Scotia's highest peak and $100 to the first male and female racers to the top of it. My SS nemesis is going to ride this, but he says just for funzies. I would hate to ruin his day by showing up with my single speed and game face to force him to race, not to mention ruining my day the same way.

I'll leave you with my latest form of domestic torture I have been throwing at any unwitting rube: the unjoke.

Q: How many electricians does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: One. Electricians are trained professionals.

cricket, cricket

That's right folks, I'll be here all week. Try the veal.