Flagstaff, AZ. State Championship Finals

Zac, just about 1/4 mile into the race as they entered the forest...

It was truly an AWESOME day! Ran up to Flagstaff to watch Zac race the final race for state championship. Not sure if he won by points (the second guy had some points for "trail maintenance"), but he definitely won the race, and our hearts. Way to Go Zac!!

The weather was perfect (but a bit windy) for racing. Cool in the shade and warm in the sun. Just being up there around the energy that surrounds a race was great. Anyone who has been, knows what I mean. If you haven't, I challenge you to go (but be careful, Mountain Biking can be contagious!).

This video was some of the younger guys...we were talking with Adam's dad while we waited for the riders to come by.

Meeting cool people and mountain biking go hand in hand!

Didn't get a good shot of Zac as he crossed the finish line due to camera operator malfunction (doh!), but you can still see it in this shot...

Also got a great shot of Mom and Zac right after the WIN! (Whos that other guy in the picture!?).

These things Happen to Other People...

Sometimes you hear great stories about people having cool encouters with wild life, or witnessing wild things, but it always seems to happen to other people. Well, Rex and Ian had one of those encounters this weekend, and luckily Rex had his phone to capture the moment. (the resolution is poor, but a phone is supposed to make calls, not great video!).

They were riding the ski slopes at Sunrise Ski Park in northeastern Arizona when it all happened.

They got there just as the lifts opened and caught a ride to the top. There was hardly anyone else there, and the weather was great (cold and windy seems great when you live in the desert, and it's June). The first run was great, just getting warmed up and checking suspension settings. On the second run they re-traced the first run until about 1/2 way down, then detoured to another trail. The trail went into the trees and narrowed, so Ian slowed down at the third turn, and came face to face with Bambi! Locking up front and rear brakes to avoid crushing the poor orphan, Ian nearly crashed. His cat like reflexes saved him again. Wowed by what was smack in the middle of the trail, he signaled for Rex to stop. The fawn must have been less than 24 hrs old, as its hair was still matted and wet, and it could barely stand up.

As the video shows, they were able to approach and touch the creature. They didn't want anyone else to run into it, so they ushered it off the trail and continued on, grateful for the chance to see so closely the ammazing beauty of Nature.

Mountian biking, more than most sports, allows you to really get out into nature. Cute and furry surprises wait around nearly every corner (stumps and roots and steep drops wait around the rest!). We Love this Sport!!

That's Gonna Leave a Mark!

Here's a great example of learning the hard way.

I 've said it once, and I'll say it agian...... Always, Always, Always wear a helmet when riding!!

I think you know what I mean......

Angel Fire N,M, Mtn States Cup Rnd 3

Had a Great Time in New Mexico for the Mountain States cup round 3. There was some great racing (as the video shows!).

That was not Zac crashing, he was filming. Zac took first in short track, and settled for a seventh in cross country. A malicious rock jumped up and attacked his pedal on the first lap. Recovering quickly, no more damage was done. However, the pedal was destroyed. Zac said it "felt a little wierd" riding on the destroyed pedal, but was able to finish (always better than a dnf!!).

Others were not so agile in thier recoveries (see video above). Ian wasn't able to complete his downhill run due to a flat tire at the very start (anyone got a pump?!). He took it in stride though. How can you get upset in paradise?

The weather was awesome and the racing fantastic. This is the BEST sport in the World!!