Racing and Family Visit in one weekend!

Our weekend in Texas for the Mellow Johnny's Classic was a blur, but we got to see most of our family and that was awesome!

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We stayed at some really cool cabins right outside of Austin with Shey's mom.  She loved the place and I foresee her making trips there yearly.  This is picture of Suzanne and the boys from last summer.

These guys were right outside the front of our cabins and they were fun to watch.

Lots of deer, with two rare black deer in the mix.

The landscaping was peaceful and the four of us spent a lot of time exploring and most of the afternoon after the race just chillin' on the back deck.

We all love to  paddle, so we were in luck that they had canoes!

Suzanne ordered some really great BBQ one evening from The Salt Lick and invited Shey's two sisters, Aunt Debbie and her daughter, and his grandmother to eat with us.  It was a really nice surprise and good to see everyone, after a long day of working on brakes and pre-riding the race course.

Here are some of the leftovers that we snacked on the next day after the race.  Yum!!

At the race on Sunday we had a fun group of family members there to support Jansen.  Mom and Dad drove back from AZ and made it just in time to see his race.  Thanks guys!!!   Shey's dad, Glenn and step-dad Kenneth were all smiles and ready for some mountain biking excitement!  It meant a lot to us that they drove all the way out to that ranch to walk ++miles to watch the race and visit with Jansen and Everett.
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Mom telling me that we got our athletic skills from her......Dad is ready to jump on a bike right now!

Kenneth and Glenn, talking about guy stuff. 

Out of state races are always a bit hectic, but things slow down when it's over and it was nice to have some down-time to visit with the family.

After the race we headed back to the cabins to relax.  Shey is making fun of my short legs, here and says this is what I look like when I sit in a chair.

The boys hung out and relaxed.

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And I made a new friend.  He didn't like my bread very much, though.

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Mellow Johnny's Classic 2012

The Pro XTC opened with the Mellow Johnny's Classic this past weekend and we traveled to TX for Jansen to hit the trail.   The top juniors in the nation were at this race and the course was amazing!

We flew in Friday morning and the first thing we always do in TX is hit a Taco Cabana!  Yum!

Then the guys built the Niner and we headed out to the venue for a pre-ride.  Ryan Woodall was racing MJ's and then heading on to CA for the next Pro XTC at San Dimas.  Jansen and Ryan headed off to scout out the course.  Jansen came back with a rear brake that had lost it's hydraulic fluid and a big smile because he thought the course was so cool.

Saturday, Shey and Jansen spent the morning working on the brake and we hit a local bike shop for a back-up brake, just in case.  Everett, Jansen and I snuck in a little canoeing and Shey went for a run  before we left for the venue.

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We watched the pro race and cheered for Ryan, Jeremiah, Seamus and Victor!  They all raced strong and Ryan finished in 11th.  Awesome!

Ryan

The mystical beasts arrived and were delighted to have a band of kazoo players to keep them company!

Jeremiah

Then, another fun pre-ride for Jansen and I ran the course.  I got in 10+ miles of an amazing run over a rocky course and fun dirt roads. 

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Back to the cabins to visit with Shey's family, a little more brake work, then off to bed.

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Race day morning we arrived at the venue early and discussed our 'plan'.  The new post on the kiosk stated two laps instead of three for the juniors.  Different from the web site, so I asked the official and she confirmed that the juniors were doing three laps.  Okay, but I gave Jansen a heads up anyway, that this might turn into a very short sprint.

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This is a TX series race and the officials called up the TX series leaders, then racers in order of registration.  That put Jansen in the second row.  The official announced three laps, but the racers contested that it should be two laps.  She agreed to two laps and made the announcement.  So, now it is a 13 mile race.

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The start was fast and the guys were flying up the trail.  Lots of rocks of all kinds.  Large rock ledges, medium loose rocks, small loose rocks and really exciting terrain.  

Jansen rode a strong first lap and gained another four positions. 

He was gaining time on the leaders, but then it was over.  First place finished in 57:15 minutes!  Jansen 60:02 minutes

Very fun and exciting early season race.  Great to see the guys hanging out with their friends from the west coast! 

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