El Tour 09

This event is a culmination of so much work, patience, pain, anguish, sweat, heart, and worry that there is no way a blog post can capture the months of training and preperation that each person involved put in to make this happen. This event is as much about the amazing young men and women that put their bodies to the limit to achieve a goal with their friends as it is about the parents that wake up every weekend to get their kids to practice on time, worry about them every ride and make sure they are fueled for the next one. These events are absolutely team efforts in every sense of the word it takes every parent, coach, rider, and supporter to make it happen. I very much want to thank everyone that has put effort and heart into this team and has made this happen. What we acheived was only because of the great support network that this team is amazingly fortunate to have.


THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So really how did it go?


Well again so hard to know where to start. Every rider can tell their own story of trial with adversity and their triumph over it. From Nathans crash, to Logans cramps, to Donovan pushing harder that ever, Ricardo and Pablo pulling to the end, Connor killing the Oracle hill, every rider can tell you of there battle and triumph and this is why I love these events. Not one of the young men and woment that started the race yesterday are the same today. They all know something about themselves that only comes out in true tribulation and effort. They will always have this acheivement to keep for themselves, no one can ever take it away. And this is so much of why I coach, I want every kid to learn that they are so much more than they know. Our minds too often limit our potential, but when asked for, more, it will most often amaze how much more we have. I can't begin to explain how proud I am of every rider on this team that participated. Really I can't wait for the next event and I promise you there is more to come from every rider. Don't think you have reached your limits because you have only begun. Let the beauty begin.

Here is a look at "my team". Ricardo, Pablo, Connor, Donovan, Milo, Julia, Dean and Coach Christian. We rode the 109 and finished in 5:57. Just in time to get the boys a gold medal and for Julia PLATINUM. That means really cool. I had an absolute blast leading the team for 109 miles and would do it again any time. We rode the perfect dream ride. I cannot think of anything we could have done to make it better. THANK YOU TEAM!!!!!!!!!
Nelson, Alex Strickland and Nippy coached the Platinum team made up of Max, Logan, Kramer, and Dillon. These guys put so much heart into the ride each ones face was completely covered in salt when I found them at the end. I was told by many that they were absolute animals and I know each rider is telling there story over and over today. Next year if they can start with their cycling pears they will easily go Platinum. This year they started too far back and just never had a chance to catch up. Well done Gentleman!!!

The mighty Travis coached the 67 mile team made up of Ashley, Nathan, Marcos, Lizzy, Matthew and Jannette helped him coach.

I should say he had the hardest job of all as he had the newest group of riders, however he got them together in no time and had them put together one heck of a ride. They averaged over 15 miles an hour and loved every minute of it. Most exciting for me to hear was Ashley pulled the team in over the last 20 miles. I can't wait to have these guys move up to the 109 and riding together with the other teams.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR A PERFECT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!


Hanging out at the dinner party before the ride, getting our jerseys. Lizzy's first.

Julia realizes platinum dreams.

You got to look good to ride good, Yeah that's right!!

You earned it Nathan.

But my wife and son are still better looking.
My favorite part.

The calm before the storm.

I love the look on the boys faces here. That is anticipation with the known fact, that they are ready. It's called confidence, something that can never be given only earned. That is why I coach.