The mountain bike patrol duties brought a view of the mountain bikers of tomorrow at the MiSCA (Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association) races at Island Lake today. A gold star to the MiSCA group in having the group for one thing and getting kids from all over the state off the couch and the computer and onto the trails. Most of the youngsters I saw riding looked like they were having the time of their lives, calling each other out for passing, shouting out "nice line!" or "you okay?" (of course he/she's not!). No toe/pedal clips needed as I saw a few youngsters more or less ghost ride down a serious hill of rocks and roots with their feet dangling off the pedals with big grins on their faces. Some riders, however, looked like they would have rather been at home playing Mortal Combat online. You just can't convert them all but the MiSCA group is trying and that is step one.
As this was my first MiSCA event, I am still getting familiar with the riding classes. Today they had the elementary and middle school-ers on an abbreviated portion of the loop that the high school riders complete. The abbreviated portion still had some challenging climbs and they had to do it twice. The high school varsity did three loops and the JV did two. I don't know enough about the structure on how many riders per team but congrats to the Brighton team for taking the gold today in the high school event.
Trail Head
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| yep, they even do the ceremony; no champagne showers though |
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| the scene |
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| home base for me |
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| patroller Vicki |
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| patroller Jeff |
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| 15 minute to race time - stress out time for some |
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| course marshal |
