New Track – New Podium

Last week was a great week for the Disciples of Dirt, at Lake Wilson for the first event of the season. The momentum is with us as we finish up the second event of the 2025 season with a podium and goals fulfilled all around.

As Haydon and I traveled to Manhattan, we were hesitant as the skies filled with smoke, due to farmer field burn off. While it smelled kind of good… it would be hard to ride with determination if the air quality is poor. We were cruising in the SWAT van destined to camp at Tuttle Creek State Park. Thing is, I am new to Kansas and failed to recognize that Riley Circle in the park is really about 40 miles away from Fancy Creek — where the track was located.

No worries. We woke up 40 feet from the lake surrounded by wildlife and got a peaceful start to the day. We packed up camp and headed to the track location to assist in building up the event with the NICA crew. Dallas, Sara, and the crew are great and make it easy to volunteer, over and over again.

Once done, we went to the SWAT truck outside the track and waited for some teammates to arrive. Others on the team wanted to primitive camp at an area on the map they had pointed out, but when I saw it, I thought it was just for picnicking. I refused to make the executive decision… but got in some quality time with Coach Robert and his daughter Kinley. We even got to see a Bald Eagle hunting. When Ethan arrived, he confirmed the spot was good to camp and we claimed the spot parking our vehicles and getting a couple of tents up.

From there, it was coach time. Kevin arrived with the race trailer, and we started to set up the pit area. Ethan and I attended the coach’s meeting. Directly after that, we start seeing our athletes arrive and get ready for the Coach’s ride. This is where we get to orient ourselves to the terrain, before having to coach the athletes around.

This track is awesome.

As we head out on the trail, Ethan takes lead with Kevin on his wheel. I foolishly at first thought I would match their pace, but soon found I would want to back it off a notch.

Robert and I stuck together most of the first lap, where as soon as you enter the single track portion… your bouncing over large loose rocks, through the corner. A few turns and you are in the trees. It’s narrow in here, but there is a beauty to riding in the cool shade with nature so close.

Roots, rocks, gravel, hard pack… switchback. It was this switchback turn re-entering the wooded area that got my attention. I wondered, “How are our kiddos going to do with this challenge?”. It’s a technical course. While we have trail relatively close for practice, we don’t have this level of diverse terrain near Hutchinson to build muscle memory.

Attacking some of these sections will take strategy.

As I am processing these thoughts, I see Kevin and Ethan serpentining through the woods a series of turns ahead of me. Suddenly, we are out of the woods on a grassy open part of field. A few “s” turns and short run up some gravel and we are back in the trees with a sudden burst of climb. This has happened a couple of times on this ride. Cruising along at a good cadence in a middle gear, good speed… then bam! Time to switch things up.

Now, I am a bigger fella. When these “surprises” come along, they wind me quickly. I have a lot of mass to get going again and gain momentum. I do much better when I know the climb is coming and I prepare both physically and mentally for the burst. This lap is all about figuring it out — the next lap would prove to be much easier for me.

The relief is that when we work with the athletes, we are able to better prepare them for things on their FIRST lap, then build their confidence over time.

On one of the wooded sections, there is a decent climb that has an array of obstacles. As you go up, you surmount roots, then a few larger rocks, then navigate around or over stationary boulders… leading up to a rocked step up obstacle. I tend to ride with caution especially around the team, but it took me three tries to get it right.

Watch the videos to see the sessioning on this section….

See it, Try it

Try it Again

And… Again. Patience leads to success.

Time to Party!

These moments are what I built the SWAT van for. On Saturdays, we gather at the end of the day to share a team meal. Part event/part camping… these weekends end up being great family moments. While some families choose not to camp (and that is totally OK), many still join in the fun after practice and pre-ride.

We had the all-american burgers and dogs gig this time with some extra treats and weather, vibe and company was great. Haydon went fishing. A bunch of the team played ultimate frisbee and had another team’s athlete join them. Great stuff.

Race Day

In the morning, coaches are up early with the assistance of some parents, and breakfast is on. Protein Pancakes, Breakfast Sausages, Lots of Eggs, Taters & Peppers, Salsa and of course coffee for the old folks.

Unlike other race weekends, we switched things up a bit. After breakfast, we strove to pack up camp – so we could make a timely exit after the event.

Another team, Team Coyote, has an athlete who is self-directing a Bible Study on Sundays at 8:30 am, and some members of our team are stoked to see it. This week she discussed Identity in Christ from the book of Ephesians and lead a constructive Q&A after the reading.

Now to race!

Back to Pit Zone

Back in Pit Zone, the atmosphere is electric. Many of the athletes on our team are younger and are in the first groups to hit the track. It’s a conversation of hydration, goals, equipment preparedness, and a pep talk on strategy.

Ethan leads the team in a talk and drives home the point that is so important to this series. Your performance good or less than good is not a disappointment to the coaches, parents or team. This is about having fun and competing. The level of competition is completely up to you.

The athletes are in charge of their goals. Some kids may be driven to podium. Others may have a goal of completing a lap in a race. Either goal has merit.

As the kids get ready for staging, coaches head off to their various duties. Some will marshal. Some will take checkpoints. Others manage the pit area. I get to work the Feed Zone.

After the Whistle (the start)

For me, I spent the day in Feed Zone. So the rest of this article is really just me, so proud of the team and their stictoitiveness this weekend.

As each kid came through the Feed Zone, near the end of a lap, I am able to quickly gauge their state of mind and fitness. For the most part, everyone slayed the day. It was hot, the first really hot day of the season for racing and it was showing.

The kids opted for what we call a “dump” bottle through Feed Zone. This is when you give them a water bottle without a lid on it and they simply pour it over themselves while riding.

Coach Ethan had the team practice this, and I am glad he did. All of our passes were caught.

The action in Feed Zone is quick and it takes a team to pull it off. One hands the rider a drink or gel-pack (carb solution) while the other hands off the water bottles a few yards later… all of this while the rider is in motion.

Other Perspectives

With coaches and families all about the track, we get access and sharing moments through each other’s stories and photos. The excitement is palpable and the passion is infectious. Here are some shots from Coach Kevin.

In Team Race For Finish

Kai and Reggie battling it out to the stripe!

Wrap Up

At the end of the day there were only a couple of kiddos that may have missed their personal goal, but overall the team came away optimistic.

One thing that has changed this season over last, is the idea of families sticking it out until the end. This is great. When you have younger athletes and their event is done, I totally get the temptation to exit the event… however, if you stay and allow the bond of the athletes to tighten up through the day and help button up Pit Zone at the end of the event – everything is so much smoother.

I think this last weekend was our best showing yet from setup to tear down.

Icing on the Cake

Oh Yeah… Haydon got fourth in the JV Race and is fourth in the season standings.