A Tribute to Schanewolf: The Joy and Pain of Moving On

William and John Schanewolf at the 2009 Grands

For the first time in two years, William will be riding with new colors. He'll be sporting the red and white of Factory Felt. When the offer came, William's answer was an enthusiastic yeah! followed by a contemplative pause... What about Mr. Schanewolf?


A little more than two years ago, Mr. Schanewolf scouted a jumpy 7-nov who couldn't stand to lose, and his rookie baby brother who was happy to come in 4th. He saw potential in the older, and wasn't about to leave the younger one behind. That's the way Schanewolf rolls. If I started riding*, he would take me simply because of my boys.

The kids adore Mr. Schanewolf. He's akin to the awesome grandpa who sneaks the kids treats behind their parents backs. If I turn my head for a minute, my boys will trash their fruit and water, and head for Mr. Schanewolf for a Mountain Dew and Little Debbie cake.

He's always supportive, and understands when a rider has "bad luck". What he won't tolerate though is the "finish line fit". He won't even bring his own grandson, who he loves dearly, to the races anymore for that very reason.

I'm happy to say this isn't goodbye. When I asked him about Wyatt, he chuckled and said, "oh I plan on keeping him around for as long as I can."

Thank you Mr. Schanewolf for believing in my boys.

*At practice last night in Dothan, our friend Joe Herring, a new blog reader, flattered me by asking if I've ever considered becoming a professional writer. Later on the way home when I relayed this to Vann he said, "That's weird". With my feathers ruffled I asked, "Why on earth do you think I couldn't be a professional writer?" "Oh come on Heather", he said. "You don't even have a bike."


BMX Mom

Thanksgiving Holiday and BMX Racing by William Parker

Although we were not a part of the HUGE turnout in Morristown this Thanksgiving, we did have our share of time on the bikes. We spent our holiday in Watercolor, Florida, playing 2-hand touch, and riding bikes to nearby Seaside. 

Strategy: "Go left. No- go right."

Touchdown - Pink Ladies!!

Biking the trails in Watercolor

My sister Wendy thought briefly that we looked like one of those "normal" families.

Big Daddy basting that bird to perfection

Just before Thanksgiving, William was forced (and I do mean forced) to present a speech for the Florida Tropicana speech competition that begins in 4th grade. I share it with you now, exactly as he typed it. 

GO! GO! GO! GO! GO! THAT’S WHAT MOM AND DAD SCREAM EVERY TIME I AM IN THE LEAD! BMX.THAT’S MY SPORT.THERE ARE A LOT OF TIMES YOU WILL CROSS THE FINISH LINE WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE OR A HUGE FROWN.YOU EITHER WIN OR LOSE. IF YOU ARE A GOOD RIDER YOU WILL USUALLY WIN.THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PERSON YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE BEATING. IF YOU ARE A SMART RIDER, YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF BEATING THAT PERSON. BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY YOUR HARDEST.YOU CANNOT WIN EM ALL. BUT IF YOU ARE ON A TEAM AND THEY ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO WIN AND YOU QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACE BECAUSE YOU ARE IN LAST PLACE, THEY WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH YOU. BUT IF YOU STILL TRY YOUR HARDEST, THEY WILL NOT BE MAD WITH YOU.

BEFORE YOU GO OUT TO THE TRACK AND START RIDING, PUT THIS INTO YOUR MIND: BMX IS A DANGEROUS SPORT. I HAVE BROKEN 2 BONES AND DISLOCATED 2 ELBOWS. I FEEL BAD FOR MY PARENTS HAVING TO PAY ALL OF THOSE MEDICAL BILLS. BUT I DO NOT THINK THEY MIND THAT MUCH. THEY JUST LET ME RECOVER AND I GET BACK ON MY BIKE. ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE SPORT HAS BROKEN A BONE. SO NOW YOU PROBABLY REALIZE THAT BMX IS A DANGEROUS SPORT. THAT SHOULD NOT STOP YOU FROM TRYING THE SPORT.

IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT BMX IS, YOU NEED TO KNOW. BMX RACING IS ON BIKES AND HAS LOTS OF JUMPS AND TURNS.THE RACE STARTS WITH A STARTING GATE THAT DROPS WHEN IT IS PROGRAMMED TO.THE STARTING GATE HOLDS UP TO EIGHT PEOPLE. NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHAT BMX IS, IT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THIS SPEECH.

THERE IS ONE THING NOBODY LIKES ABOUT RACING: LOSING. NO ONE ENJOYS LOSING BUT LIKE I SAID, YOU CANNOT WIN EM ALL. IF YOU ARE ON A WINNING STREAK AND THEN ONE RACE YOU COME IN FIFTH PLACE, YOU WILL BE UPSET. BUT IF YOU ARE USED TO NOT COMING IN FIRST, YOU WILL NOT BE AS UPSET IF YOU COME IN FIFTH PLACE.

 

I HAVE HAD MANY JOYFUL MOMENTS AND SOME NOT SO GOOD MOMENTS IN BMX. LIKE WHEN I WON MY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2009.THAT WAS PROBABLY MY MOST JOYFUL MOMENT IN BMX. THIS YEAR UNFORTUNATELY, I DISLOCATED MY ELBOW 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. I COULD NOT BELIEVE I RACED.NOBODY COULD. BUT I DID AND I MADE THE FINALS. ANOTHER JOYFUL MOMENT WAS WHEN I WON THE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES. BMX IS AN EXCITING SPORT, BUT IT IS NOT EASY TO WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.YOU HAVE TO TRAIN EVERY DAY AND YOU CANNOT EAT JUNKFOOD. YOU HAVE TO STAY VERY HEALTHY. I HOPE TO BE THE WORLD CHAMPION SOMEDAY. I HOPE YOU THINK BMX IS PRETTY COOL. I DO.YOU EITHER WIN OR LOSE AND YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE INJURIES.YOU SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID OF INJURIES.YOU ARE JUST HAVING FUN.BMX IS REAL COOL TO ME.


Happy Holidays from our family to yours! 


See you in Columbus!!


BMX Mom