Wild Rockies 2009

We just returned home from our 2nd barking spider bash event. This year Tob and the kids did the bike races and I was the cheerleader. Actually it was his turn to do the bike race (since I raced last year) and one of us had to keep an eye on the kids so this year that was me. We camped Friday night and raced Saturday afternoon. The kids made some great friends and had a fabulous time climbing steep hills, riding bikes, and playing in the dirt. I have a lot of pictures I want to post but chose just a few (which is still a lot), so BEWARE.

Let the races begin.............

Tob amongst the crowd of sport racers ready to go.

Tob's 2nd lap

The kids participated in the Trailblazers race a 3 mile mountain bike race with some steep terrain (at least for a little girl who just turned 7). Alexyss actually got lost last year so we were excited to see what was in store for her this year. This is why both Tob and I do not race because the kids race is held during the time as ours and someone must be available for Alexyss's many crisis. So here they are getting the pre-race info. The race coordinators have been awesome both years and are fantastic with the kids. We truly can't thank them enough.

Here is Nojah coming in 1st place with a time of 17:58. He did awesome and was so excited to win the race.

After all three boys came in we waited and waited for Alexyss, ready to cheer her on when she crossed the finish line. Then as she rounded the corner I noticed she was going a little fast down the hill. She hit loose gravel, lost it and flew over her handle bars and across the gravel. Truly if she wasn't only 7 it would have been a pretty impressive crash. At the time I didn't realize she hit as hard as she did but luckily she didn't hurt herself too bad and there was an EMT standing by for assistance. Yes I am the mom who stops to take a photo before seeing if she's ok. I figured she got up pretty quick, was walking, and talking, so she was great :0) RIGHT? Honestly if I would have gone and picked her up she would have lost it and went into hysterics. We talked her into finishing the race and she rode her bike across the finish line.

I don't think she was happy about it, but she did it. What a trooper. She says "I am not doing this again next year." We'll see when the time comes I guess. We have been pretty proud of her the past two years being the youngest racer and the only girl to take on the challenge.

After we watched Tob come through for his second lap we headed over to the tent (still in tears) to do the head to toe body check. She did a pretty good job with bruising and abrasions on her arms, abdomen, thighs, and knees. We cleaned her up good as new and she played happily the rest of the day.

Nojah recieving his medal and new bike tool for placing 1st in the trailblazers division.

Alexyss recieving her medal and a new pair of bike gloves for 1st place in the girls division. They listed her in the results as a DNF (which means did not finish) but trust me she finished. It was ugly but she rode across the line. So I am not sure what her actual overall time was.

Here is a picture of the kids before the race goofing off!

Alexyss watching Nojah climb hills eating animal crackers.

And last but not least, ME holding down the chair.

Toby finished 13th in his age group and had a great time riding the course. We plan on making it an annual event if possible. Next year I get to race and Tob gets to play with the kids :0) We'll see if Lex races again. I know Nojah won't give it up.