Mtn. Biking Team

Whew! Eli has had four regular-season mtn biking races. He practices with the team twice a week. It has been a sacrifice to get him everywhere he needs to be, but I'll miss it when the season is done. The state championship race is in St. George in a couple of weeks.

This has been so perfect for Eli! We have tried other sports in the past. With cross-country, I had to push him to keep going to practices, but there is no need to push with mtn. biking. He loves to go. He's always out riding around the cul-de-sac, or with friends going over jumps nearby. Jonah has been going out riding with him, and will start on the team next year. (It is middle school through high school.)

The sport is extremely expensive. We got Eli a bike that felt expensive to us, but it is actually an entry-level racing bike. He would love to have a better bike, so he's going to get a job to earn one for next year. But a good bike is at least $2000. Some of his friends have bikes that are $4000+. But he's done really well on the bike he has, and Jonah will use it next year.

Eli's second race was at Snowbasin, and a lot of family members came to watch, which was sweet. Many of us ran up the hill to see him pass multiple times at the switchbacks along the way, and then down to the halfway and ending spot. It was exciting!

The third race was at Vernal. It was the first time we've hosted a race here. The coaches put a lot of work into getting the trail ready, and had us come help pull weeds. I also helped set up the course:

Volunteers and Utah Mtb officials. I'm in he middle.

It was nice to have a "home-court advantage"! The mayor and some county commissioners came, and did an official announcement to start the race. Also, the local hotels and restaurants put signs up welcoming the bikers. We heard a lot of positive comments from other parents.

The night before the Vernal race, the team rode down main street with a police escort. I took Eli to the start, and then I went to pick up the kids to cheer along the way, and we missed it. But Eli had a good time. There was an article about the team prior to the race, and a local station just came and filmed them for an upcoming highlight feature. We've talked about how that is the benefit of living in a small town: they can make a fuss in a way that wouldn't happen in a bigger city (with multiple high schools). The kids also rode in the high school's homecoming parade. Eli and the others did tricks and showed off along the way.

Eli's in the middle with the black and red helmet.

Another mom got a picture of Eli doing a bunny hop at the finish line:

I'm proud of that boy!