Daniel has been into cycling for years {pre-munchkins} and has slowly converted this whole family into cycling fans. We are a family that rides together and love it! I'm so glad he fell in love with this sport because it has turned out to be an incredible family activity. Even Max gets to join in on rides at home with our bike carrier. It allows us to spend time being active in the outdoors and it's a sport that you can do for a long time (age wise). So when the fall rolls around and it's cyclocross racing season, this Clayton Crew gets revved up!
Just like last year, Kason is participating in the Cyclocross Project where he meets every Thursday evening with Coach Erica learning and practicing technical skills. These practices are definitely working because Kason's technical skills have gotten really good, especially for a 7 year old. Not only is it fun to see him grow, I've loved watching him gain confidence in his own ability. Last year, he still had some anxiety about race days even though Dad was racing too...this year, he has been chomping at the bit to race!
Race days are hands down one of my top favorite family days. I always pack lunches for the gang and we head out to the race for most of the day. Kason usually races first, so we get to help him ready...
You can see him getting his race face ready, ha!
His races are usually shortened version of the adult races, but this time they even had the U10 race do one entire adult lap! Oh boy! I was a nervous momma because sometimes Kason gets self defeated and really needs encouragement to keep going, so while I cheered him on from a distance during his 30 minute ride I couldn't really see how he was holding up.
This course was huge {even for adults} with lots of ditches, inclines, rock/gravel roads, sand pits, tight curves...
So, I seriously had no clue what to expect at the finish line....
Once Zoe, Max, and I ran over to where Kason completed the race, this guy was all smiles! He said, "Wow mom, I got to do the whole lap just like the big guys"! Then he proceeded to tell me how cool it was, all the obstacles he encountered, and how many kids he passed. It was so exciting to see this guy light up with enthusiasm for a sport that has stolen his heart too!
Let's just say, this was a whole new kid racing this year. In fact, it didn't matter that the temp was around 100, I couldn't keep him off the bike the rest of the afternoon! So you maybe wondering, why Natalie do you think these race days are so fabulous? Well, for one...
our whole family gets to cheer each other on! After Kason races, Dad starts warming up, then he races...
so it becomes an entire family event. And yes, I am that dorky mom {really one of the only moms} running around the course yelling during both races, haha!
It's hard to see in the picture above, but Daniel usually sticks his tongue out, cheers back, or pumps his arm in the air every time he hears me cheer him on.
Even from far across the course he lets us know he hears us which is pretty much adorable. I also love that there is downtime between the races so we even get to watch professionals and just spend time hanging out together...
The kids always find a playground to meet up with other kids, plus they get hours in the dirt with sticks which is their own little paradise :).
Since we were newbies last year and didn't know anyone, I was excited this year to run into another mom from last year's races and catch up while the kids played. This last weekend was our first race of the season and Daniel invited one of our young pro's to join us...
what a treat! He had a blast too and is already looking forward to joining us again! Oh friends, you will definitely be seeing more cyclocross pictures this season of my two guys. I'm already on the count down for the next race and even the next year as hopefully little lady and I will be joining in on the racing season fun!
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