A Thank you from one of our Riders
(Note from Editor: Garrett Gerchar was invited to attend the Clif Bar Team Cyclocross camp in Belgium in December. BJC was able to provide Garrett with a travel stipend to assist in this opportunity)
Dear BJC Board of Directors,
I would like to thank you for the travel stipend you gave me for my trip to Europe. I would also like to extend my thanks to everyone involved with the Boulder Junior Cycling program, coaches, volunteers, and our generous donors at the fundraisers we had who have helped me become the rider I am today. The award will help me continue this racing progress through the mountain bike season and on into the Cyclocross season. I appreciate all that the program has done for me in both my mountain bike and Cyclocross racing. Thank you so much for all your help.
Sincerely,
Garrett Gerchar
Read more about Garrett's trip to Belgium
Over this past winter break, I had the great opportunity to go to Belgium. This was my first trip “across the pond”. The flight out there was an experience, it was very intimidating traveling to another country by myself.
The trip out there was one experience but the best experience was the riding. The riding was absolutely one of the greatest things about being in Belgium. On the very first day I arrived I rode with Maxx Chance, we did some of the very best cross riding I’ve ever done just a few minutes from where we were staying. It was called the Donk. It was incredibly muddy but very fun, and there was even a tunnel full of sand. There was so much great riding over in Belgium which is perfect for cross racing. I could see why it is what people think of when they think of cross racing.
Now the riding was great, but the racing was even better. Over in Belgium there is so much more competition. I raced in the 17-18 category and there were more people in the race than open races here in Boulder. They start so many more people and the start line is packed, as seen in the photo below.
startline belguim 2
As for the racers themselves, they are much more aggressive. The idea that you need to sharpen your elbows is so true. In Belgium, you have to be aggressive to be able to do well. There are more elbows being thrown and they are in it to win it. The whole racing mentality of the Belgium racers is completely different. Racing in Belgium and racing back here in America is completely different.
My whole experience in Belgium has both progressed my riding and changed my mentality going into a race. The riding over there is phenomenal, some of the best I’ve ever had the privilege to ride. The racing is on a whole other level. I am so happy to have gone and I am grateful for all of the cool experiences I got by going, on the bike and off.
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Sponsor Shout Out - Panache Cyclewear Inc - .
By now most of our Devo riders have made the trip to Panache to check out their clothing. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity, Panache has been an awesome group of people to work with. They have been very helpful with our large and complicated order. But who are they really and what drives them?
The group at Panache, (Andy Pemberton, Kevin Burnette, Scott Cropper, Charlie Suthard, Corey Moxon, Jay Ferracane, Colby Pearce) are driven by the belief that cycling is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle that encompasses the bike, the ride, the friends we make, the competitors we encounter. It’s a lifestyle full of stories shared, both on the bike and off. It’s a lifestyle full of epic journeys, both daily and lifetime. In short, it’s about the Ride, both literally and figuratively; and it ain’t always an easy one… but it is the one we love. I think many in BJC would agree.
THE RIDE ...The Panache teams' favorite lunch ride is a quick hour and half out US 36 to Nelson road taking a right turn onto 55th for the dirt and down the dirt to make a right hand turn for the Boulder Roubaix finish then back over to Neva road then along the reservoir and down Jay back to office. They are all primary road or CX riders with some mountain bike racing in the summer.
Moab Spring Break Mountain Bike Picture Album
Mary's Loop
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The BJC Board of Directors
Eric Malmborg, President, John Brunner, Secretary, Paul de Curnou, Vice President, Susan Easterlin, Treasurer, Mary Uchida; Gareth Richards, Marina Lepikhina, Clint Bickmore, Hunter Smith, Alex Dorgan-Ross. In addition to the BOD, the Executive Committee also includes Staff. Linda Behlen Executive Director, Ann Trombley, Coaching Representative.
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