Fast Times in Peachtree City: Family, Friends and Fun at the Georgia Peach BMX Nationals

William and Ricky: fast friends and fast riders

The Robinsons did it again. The Georgia Peach National event was run flawlessly. Shayne Robinson is like the "Super Nanny" of the BMX world. When she says jump, people start jumping and asking how high? in unison. Most importantly, the restrooms were not only open, but relatively clean. See? It can be done!

Nothing beats having family at the races

On a disappointing note, there was one reported theft. A bike belonging to a James Bisson was stolen on Saturday. Here's the description: "Bike was a gold pk ripper xxl, black bars, polished JW stem, bombshell carbon forks, blue profile elite hubs laced to polished alienation rims, alienation seat and seatpost, dxr cranks with a rennen sprocket, and time z pedals. If someone suddenly has these parts, ask 'em where they got 'em." If anyone has any information that might lead to the recovery of James' bike, please contact Peachtree City BMX. FYI James, we're the family who accidentally closed the elevator door on you at the Wyndham. Sorry!

Madeline Perez and her boys
Photo credit: Phillip Habib

Saturday's weather was the epitome of spring in the South. We all shed our hoodies by mid-morning to enjoy the warm sunshine. With 218 motos, there was plenty of time in between to hang out with friends and visiting family. My much loved dad, aunt, uncle and cousins came to cheer on the boys and spend the evening with us. Nearly all of the Factory Felt/SC Action Sports team was in the house, so William had a great time with his buddies, while we enjoyed the company of all the parents.

William in 9x
Photo credit: Phillip Habib

Aside from a fall in a cruiser moto, it was a great day for William. He dominated 9 cruiser and 9

expert, repeating his near-perfect day on Sunday. Wyatt rode hard, but was unable to transfer to mains on Saturday. I was proud he made it to quarters in 8 and under cruiser! Sunday was better though. He easily cleared motos and semis to make the 7 challenger main. He's working hard and getting faster all the time.

Gabe Hatem flying high in 10x
Photo credit: Phillip Habib

The Factory Felt team was full of WIN. Aside from William, Gabe Hatem and Ricky Castro finished strong in 10x and 10 cruiser. Coleman Habib dominated 12x and 12 cruiser, and the rest of the team had podium finishes as well. Most of all, we had a great time being together.

There were several other stand-out riders I noticed in Peachtree who I would like to give kudos to. 9x rider Dylan Shipley keeps getting faster, and kept William on fire all weekend. I was glad to have our good friend Keagan Bryson back at his first national since the 2009 Grands. I can guarantee it won't be long before the other 11 experts start seeing Keagan's backside. Keep it up! Our 10x buddy Grant Green showed us he can take it and give it back. Ride strong Grant! I couldn't help but notice Wyatt's Schanewolf teammate Jamie McHenry (8 challenger girl). Keep shining Jamie!

That about wraps it up. The upcoming nationals have a lot to live up to after a perfect weekend at Peachtree City BMX! We had so many great photos, I'll leave you with a few more.

See you in Florida!

BMX Mom

William doing the head-shake
Photo credit: Phillip Habib

Everyone's favorite photographer and driver- Phillip Habib

Winding down after a long day with my good friend Mandi Green

There's No Place Like Home: State Qualifiers at the FWB Dirt and Vert

There's a feeling I get pulling into Fort Walton Beach, FL. Surrounded by the all-too-familiar, in a town where if someone doesn't know me, they know my father, sister or husband. My stress melts in the comfort of home.

My dad moved his young family to Fort Walton Beach from Ramstein AFB in Germany in 1972. My mom shopped at the only grocery serving Fort Walton and Destin at the time-- Kelly's IGA. Nearly forty years later, the building remains, but it's now a boring mattress warehouse, next to a What-a-Burger that replaced the Hardee's I knew as a child.

On our way to Bill Madden's Dirt and Vert (his family has been in FWB longer than mine!), I couldn't help but feel twelve years old again. While Destin has morphed into the unfamiliar, Fort Walton remains trapped in a time warp. I waved at the green dinosaur at the Goofy Golf that's been big fun for FWB families for longer than I've been around, and where knocking a ball in the snake's mouth still rewards you with a free game. Across the street is the new location of "Joe and Eddie's". Once located on the "Strip", it was the post-revelry hot spot for a 3-egg recovery omelet. As we turned off 98, Vann and I pointed out our alma mater to the boys as I sang them the FWBHS Viking fight song (daaaaa DAAAAA da dun-dun-dun-dun...) with my hands in the air. Vann and I talked the whole way about who used to live in this house or that, and oh that hasn't changed a bit.

We arrived at the track for a Friday afternoon skills clinic. William spoke very highly of Mr. Lackey, who headed up the clinic, and both of the boys worked hard to get ready for Saturday's race. William had some trouble with the 4th straight rhythms, and took two ugly spills trying to get it right. I always have the "what ifs", especially where William is concerned. I relaxed as I recalled that I went to New Heights Elementary with the local orthopedist, who would be happy to see us.

Following the clinic, my dad took us for dinner at another FWB icon, the Hightide. Down the street from my childhood home on Okaloosa Island, it used to be adjacent to the Seagull (known as the "Dirty Bird" after midnight), where my mom and her friends would dance the night away. Hurricane Opal took the Seagull in 1995, but the Hightide survived. After gorging ourselves on fried grouper and a dozen raw, my dad decided to get some fresh air and take the short walk to his condo, while we headed in for a good nights rest.

Vann, Heather, Stacey, and Vann's best friend Mike- 1989?

Rain loomed on Saturday as we hoped for a break in the unpredictable Emerald Coast weather. Sure enough, the rain stopped just in time for two rounds of practice. The race was able to start promptly at 11, and was run at an efficient pace. It was an awesome day for both our boys. William, a little cautious in his motos after his falls the day before, was able to go all out in the main and take perfects in both classes. Wyatt had his first 7 challenger perfect, making it a triple-perfect day! As an added bonus, my childhood friend Stacey brought her son Brody to watch the races. I was elated to have Stacey by my side yelling for my kids with perfect ex-cheerleader style. Brody and Wyatt get along like peas and carrots, and Brody said after he gets a racing bike he wants Wyatt to "tell him his secrets to win."

We headed back to Tallahassee after Saturday's race, not needing to stay for Sunday.The race was a much needed confidence booster for both of the boys, in preparation for nationals in Peachtree City later this month. As much as I love Fort Walton, I was happy as I woke in my own bed this morning, when the boys jumped in to ask their dad to go get Krispy Kreme. After all, there's no place like home.

Beaten, Battered and Brokenhearted: Trials and Tribulations at the ABA Gator Nationals

The Parker Brothers made history in Oldsmar last weekend. For the first time ever, neither made the main. It took me a while to recall it, but it's been four years since William has missed a main. Believe me, it hit him like a ton of bricks.

William getting a pep-talk from teammate Samantha Brown.

Without elaborating, let's just say that on Saturday, William made some major errors that stopped him from transferring out of motos. Wyatt transferred after his first round, but was unable to clear his semi.

Embarrassed and heartbroken, William was determined Sunday to not only make the main, but place well. He cleared motos, and fought hard in his semi, only to get tangled up in a turn, taking two riders down with him.

He's feeling absolutely mortified, and ready to train harder. He's not willing to have another main-less weekend.

So how do we mend this brokenhearted BMXer? As a mom, it's a bit challenging. My reaction is to hug, kiss, and console, and tell him it was all ok. But, it wasn't ok. He underperformed and he knows it. Instead we helped him understand what went wrong, and discussed what he could've done differently. Then, of course, he received enough hugs and kisses to hopefully make it all better again. After all, he's disappointed enough for all of us.

Wyatt (center), with William and Gabe Hatem, just wants to have fun.

On the ride home, William asked Wyatt, "Aren't you upset that you didn't make your main?" "Well", Wyatt said, "I would've liked to have made the main, but really I just want to have fun. I had a great weekend!"

Well said baby brother.

In case you're wondering why this post is nearly a week overdue, yours truly has been down with what I can only describe as the Black Death. I'm quite certain I know where it came from...

Next up- Peachtree City, where I for one hope the ladies room will be open.

BMX Mom

Great Expectations

Some of my best old pals and me in the good ol' days
Photo Credit: Stacey Miller

All of my old high school chums know how I dreaded the end of every six weeks. A mediocre "B" on a report card would see my coveted phone ripped from the wall until straight As were once again achieved. The only time my mom willingly accepted a "B" was following a long period of daily trigonometry tutoring she certainly couldn't afford, but conceded to anyway, to keep me from failing. Oh, I shiver now at the thought of bringing home a "C". That meant no drinking beer in the woods, ahem, no movies for six weeks.

Last week, while reading Amy Chua's essay Why Chinese Mothers are Superior in the Wall Street Journal, a bell went off. I had a Chinese Mother.

My mom  and my sister Wendy, 1968

Of course I don't mean that literally. My mom was a blonde, green-eyed, Scotch-Irish beauty who lived life to the fullest. I've missed her everyday for over six years now. What I realized, after too many years, was that my mom EXPECTED me to bring home straight As because she knew that I could. Crap. She was right. Piano lessons and rigid music theory were a huge part of my life until my final pitiful guild performance of Starlight Waltz brought me to tears, and my mom accepted at last that I had not inherited her natural gift for tickling the ivories. In contrast to Mrs. Chua, however, I was always allowed sleepovers, and participation in school plays was cause for celebration.

This reflection on my childhood has caused me to examine my expectations as a parent. Not only do I expect straight As from my boys, I demand them. I expect and demand of them to be better than me in every possible way. Just like a good Chinese Mother, I hover over them after school until the work is done, and promptly send them outside to play, ride bikes, sprint or do plyos. A "B" on anything is never praised, but questioned. My boys know all too well that if they bring home a grade below a "B" that traveling for BMX is out.

Wyatt inherited not only my mom's blonde hair,
but many of her talents too.

The vast difference between my mom and me is that she was a single mother, which meant there was never anyone hovering over me to confirm that I was meeting expectations. It was up to me to motivate myself, or suffer the consequences.

Mrs. Chua states: "To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work... Tenacious practice, practice, practice is crucial for excellence; rote repetition is underrated in America."


Hmmm. I agree, with one exception-- children on their own never want to work. Of course they do! It's called self-motivation, and it must be taught.

One of William's better gates in Columbus.
Photo credit: J-Rods Photoshop

William has been plagued with gate trouble since his elbow dislocations, first in August (read Delusions in my Head), and again in October (read Déjà vu). He has worked and worked to try and regain his "snap", which he says he no longer feels. This past Saturday, we took the boys to ride the ABA track in Middleburg. Without a word from his dad or me, William did gates repeatedly. By the end of the night, improvement was obvious, and he was visibly pleased with himself. On the drive home, I asked him what he felt he had accomplished during practice. "My snap! I felt it. It's back!" This, he accomplished through his own self-motivation and will.


One thing I've learned is to expect more from my boys than they expect from themselves. Many times they've crossed the line in first, grinning from ear to ear, and said, I didn't think I could do it. Their dad and I look at each other knowingly and say without doubt, WE knew you could.




BMX Mom

NBL Christmas Classic: Winter dreams do come true

The excitement of Christmas quickly abated as we headed north early on December 26th to race the NBL Christmas Classic in Columbus, Ohio. Flurries began falling before we hit Atlanta, and the boys actually chose the scenery over movies and ipads. Just north of Knoxville, the weather turned into what any Floridian would certainly call a blizzard. In the midst of watching cars swerve off the road, and snow plows rumble by, my dad calls to ask if we've packed an emergency kit with flares and blankets. Um, no.


With darkness falling, and Vann growing more weary by the minute, the snow finally stopped, and the road cleared before we hit Ohio. "See?" I said. "Winter dreams do come true!" My nerdiness brought chuckles from the back seat.

The next day we watched the President's Cup, and realized that with a 300+ moto count, we were going to have to extend our stay. William met his new team mates, and was so excited to get to know them. He was thrilled with his new gear, and it was like Christmas all over.

Thanks to Big Daddy, we were the first ones in the convention center on day 1 of the Christmas Classic. After a brief practice, Wyatt took a long nap, knowing it would be several hours before his first moto. He never seemed to fully awaken, and was unable to clear semis in his first novice (excuse me-- challenger) race.

William's cruiser main (Photo credit: bmxnow.com)

William, however, was excited-- maybe too excited. In his first moto in 9 expert, he barely saved himself from flipping the gate, and did an interesting nose manual down the starting hill. He couldn't replicate it if he tried. Incredibly, he righted himself and raced on to take 3rd. After that, he had no trouble winning his remaining motos, and taking a 2nd in the main. There is definitely no shame in coming in second to DK rider Spencer Cole. That kid rides like greased lightening. William would love to come in ahead of him one day. The 9 cruiser class actually had semis, which is a first as far as I know. William perfected the day in cruiser, and felt confident for day 2.

Vann let the boys sleep in the next morning, knowing that they needed rest more than practice. Wyatt had a better look about him, and seemed ready to give it his all. He easily cleared motos taking a 3 and a 4. His semi brought tears to my eyes as I watched him qualify for his first challenger main with a 3rd place finish.
Winter dreams do come true.

William with team mates Coleman Habib and Samantha Brown

William had gate trouble again in his 9 expert main. He rounded the first turn in 6th, and turned on the jets. He crossed the line in a close third, not willing to accept anything less than a podium finish. Cruiser class was a repeat of day one, with William taking another perfect.

That night, the boys blew off steam running around with friends, while we relaxed at the bar. As exhausting as it was, we agreed it was the best race event ever. The best part was adding new friends to our bmx family!

The next morning, William, pale from fatigue, looked sadly out our hotel window. "Everything ok?" I asked. Quietly he said, "I don't want to go. I had forgotten how much I love to race." A moment later came the question... "Can we go to Indy?"
Maybe... IF...
Winter dreams do come true.

Felt 2011 (photo courtesy of Samantha Brown)

From our family to yours, have a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

BMX Mom

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