Fourth race- and we have a faceplant

This weekend was a busy one, but we were blessed with fair weather and no threats of rain. Most of our focus was on prepping for mama’s 39th birthday and we had a small party planned for Saturday night. So we stayed up later than usual, which challenged our wakefulness Sunday morning, race day. 

Finn and I had plans to spectate at a cross country race where my long-time dirtbike racing pal was competing. We are fortunate to live about a half mile away from a trail complex consisting of two separate parks with hiking/mtb trails that have an additional trail system corridor connecting them. It is close enough to ride bicycles from home to the park, so that was our original plan. But with the late night, Finn slept a bit late, so we had to scrap the ride plan and drive to the race. Nabbed a burrito enroute. 

We cheered for the racers and got to see another type of bicycle event, but most of our focus was on the familiar playground with slides, ladders, and other things to climb. 

Back home for a bit to get some lunch and hydrate, we packed up for Finn’s BMX race. It was already quite warm, so we were in for a hot, sunny day. Still lacking a proper pop up canopy to serve as our race pit, we have been forced to cower in a strip of shade next to a shipping container. It has served us well, but is no guarantee depending on how crowded it was. Given how few people showed up last week due to the potentially weather, it was no surprise to arrive to a packed track this weekend. As we exited the car, I asked him to give me some affirmation that he was indeed interested in racing today. 

We got registered and posted up near our familiar area to try and stay cool in the little available shade. We got slathered in sunscreen and changed from the weather-appropriate attire into long pants and sleeves, a requirement for participation (to prevent rash in the event of a wipeout). 

At this point, Finn just wants to play with cars or try to find mud, which had all dried up by now. But I’m aware of the time and we need to do at least one practice lap before the race. So it took some coaxing. He started out great and was coasting and climbing with little assistance. Maybe we’ve seen some good improvements and soon he’ll be doing this unassisted. As we came down the last hill before the curve, which he’s successfully ridden before, he got crossed up and faceplanted on the pavement at a decent speed. Tears ensued and we had to assess if he was injured. His helmet chin bar smacked the track pretty good, but served its purpose. He bumped his right hand in the fall, causing a minor scrape, but I couldn’t really tell if he was injured. After he calmed down a bit I was able to determine that it wasn’t serious and he agreed to get back on the bike and continue. He was tentative, but understandably so. I was proud of how easily he shook it off and really tried to not apply too much pressure, but encouragement. 

One practice lap was enough for him and we decided to take a break and have some cold water. Now we just have to wait till our turn to race. Given how busy it was, there were way more groups to race before it was our turn, 23 to be exact. So Finn had a lot of time to become re-engrossed with playing in the dirt with cars, chasing a road, and eating some cheez-its he found on the ground, while I had to pay attention. We got his helmet on just in time after some negotiations and lined up to race. There was a 2yo kid lined up against him this week and he was tough competition. We brought up the rear all four laps and squeaked out a 2nd place class trophy.

We talked about the crash and how he was brave for persisting. I told him about all the times I have crashed my bicycle or motorcycle. Sometimes it hurts or is scary. But you have the choice to get back on or not. I think he made the right choice. Today (Monday) we took a long ride 2-up on my bicycle like we would have done Sunday morning. Next weekend, we’re gonna go spectate a different kind of 2-wheeled adventure. Stay tuned.