District Bike Race in Asuncion

A few pictures from the recent district mountain bike race here in Asuncion. We hope to have the state competition for BCS here in November.

Except for the very youngest racers, the revised course began at the new stadium



For those of you familar with BA, the course then winds up the hill to the west up to the city water pila.



From there, it winds further to the west, above the ocean, and then up the back of the hill with the cross



And yes, what goes up,



From there the course winds down the mountains, crosses the road to San Roque and then climbs up near the new cemetary, winds some more around those hills and then back to the stadium in town. It is 12 kilometers and the 13 and older riders do it twice!.

The president of the Lobos Marinos chalking the finish line



While several of our riders placed 1, 2 or 3, we were especially proud of two of 13 year old girls. America placed second and Andyru placed third and they were racing against women well into their 20s.

America in action



Andyru receiving her third place certificate and a big kiss from her proud papa, Jesus



Just loved Juan Rual receiving his first place as an 8 year old. I love the candy on his face.



And the hero of the races, at least in our book, Okimy, one of our 13 year olds. Tomas who almost made the nationals this year usually blows away the field in the 13 and 14 year old category. This time Tomas experienced some serious cramps not too far from the finish. This meant that Okimy was on his way to first place.

Instead, Okimy stopped to help his teammate get going again and meantime, a rider from Vizcanio passed them up. Okimy took second, and Tomas was able to take third.

Okimy



And then, there are always our favorite 2 to 4 year olds. Obed who happens to be Okimy´s little brother, is a brand new Lobos Marino. This was his first race, and race he did.



And he was just a little happy with his reward.



Hope you enjoy the race, we sure did. We hope to be able to continue to assist this part of this community for a long time. It truly is a great family activity.

Diane and John



[Edited on 5-12-2008 by jdtrotter]

Great photos !! Thanks Diane !!

Makes me want to get out and ride . . . almost !!

This is a great bunch of folks and I sincerely thank the Trotters for doing such a bang up job of helping them out...just look at those fantastic uniforms they now have!!!!! It made a huge difference in attitude...now lots more kids want to be a part of the team. Asuncion has a world class course and it will be fun to watch the club grow. I think another paypal type account would be great for those wanting to help out.

Mtgoat--

There are are five teams in the Mulege District that compete in these races---the next one being on the 25th in San Ignacio.

While they only include these teams, I just bet we could arrange to have you ride along with them in a race especially in Bahia Asuncion. They really hope to have the state race here in November---will let you know.

Meantime, come on down, meet the team and ride with them---they are just great people.

Now about the course, one warning, when they were getting ready for the race and moving rocks etc., there were lots of scorpions. But never fear, recently I was stung by a small one and John got stung by one of giant monster ones and niether one was bad at all---not like those other scorpions.

Shari and IFYFISH,
We will be looking into paypal when we are back in the states. Thanks.

It has really been such a pleasure working with these people.

John and Diane

OK, get it out of the rafters and come on down and practice.


Mtgoat, I forgot to tell you that yes, there are "older" races. One of our riders is 48 and we met one from Guerrero Negro who is older.

Here is a father and daugther---he won a prize in one of the adult races and she took first place in the 11 and 12 year old girl's race.



And typical of so many Mexican activities, no one is left out. They even had a separate division for large men---those who weighed over a specified amount. They did not do the big hill, but when we up the hill taking photos, and the man in the grey shirt came by, I seriously thought he might pass out, but he took third place.




Greg, it is even worse when they race in Vizcaino in the summer. Last year the Vizcaino race was in August and besides the mountains, the heat was AWFUL.

Diver,
We have walked up that mountain with the cross, and we saw Mrs. Diver walk up there, so now we need to see you either walk or ride up there.

Diane