Author: ColRevMTB

T-Shirts: Team shirts with sponsor logos on the back are now available to order from 2 Bird Design Studios!  These shirts give credit to the many generous contributors throughout our community who help to keep our team financially “rolling strong.”  The Team Store will be open through Jun 27th.  Simply make your choice and pay the store directly.  No shipping costs required as the shirts will be delivered to our team and handed out the first few weeks of summer practice.  Another opportunity will be available in the fall should you decide to wait a bit.  https://www.storessimple.com/2birdsdesignstudio/groupproducts.php?prodgroup_id=10231&prodgroupbypass=true

Colonial Revolution Youth Mountain Bike Team, in partnership with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), Trek Bicycles and Charles City County Department of Parks & Recreation has been awarded three scholarships for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & Persons of Color) student-athletes from Charles City County.  The Trek/NICA Pathfinders scholarships include bicycle, helmet, cycling kit and 2021 registration fees and are available to student-athletes entering grades 6-12.  No experience is necessary, but a participation commitment is required.

Colonial Revolution is an all-inclusive 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Williamsburg, VA, building strong minds, strong bodies, strong character and strong communities since 2015.

An informational meeting will be held at Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park Pavilion, 12400 Wilcox Wharf Road in Charles City on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 6:30 pm.  For more information contact Parks & Recreation Director Kim Barrow at (804) 652-1601 or Kbarrow@co.charles-city.va.us.  Check out the Trek/NICA Pathfinders scholarship at https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/pathfinder-scholarship.  

Spring is time of rejuvenation and hopefully 2021 will be extra special! New members, new practice venues and new ideas. At the 2021 membership meeting the team unanimously elected the following members to the Board of Directors:

President – Angela Dereix

VP – Lexey Donohue

Secretary – Randy Ward

All are trusted & veteran team parents. Each bring unique talents & qualifications to the Board. Huge thanks to them for taking on this task. Nancy McNelly & Ellen LaPlace will remain in their positions as Member-at-Large & Treasurer. We are in good hands.

I want to take a second to personally thank my fellow outgoing (and founding) Board members, Carrie Mokry & Andrez Alvarez. We literally couldn’t have done it with you. What was a dozen kids, a few parents & a few hundred dollars a few short years ago is a whole other thing now! The Big Wheel Keeps on Turnin’!

Our first (organized) practice of 2021 coincides with the first day of spring. Who’s ready to ride?

Mike Lang

Head Coach & Website Coordinator

Safety is ALWAYS priority #1 with Colonial Revolution Youth Mountain Bike Team. The global impact of COVID-19 made riding as a group a challenge, but what member of this team isn’t up to meeting a challenge? Coaches, riders and parents ensured that when small groups of the team could ride, they did so safely.

A compilation letter to our seniors from your Colonial Revolution Family:

This spring we have 3 seniors finishing up their high school RACING careers with the Colonial Revolution Youth Mountain Bike Team.  Emphasized here is RACING because each of them is a lifelong member and leader on the team.  All three of these gentlemen have provided years of leadership and guidance to all of their teammates and lived the example of what Colonial Revolution is all about.

From Coach Mike, I grew up with these guys!  It has been an amazing experience watching these young men succeed, fail, learn and grow as a part of the Colonial Revolution family.  As individuals they have made unique contributions to make us a stronger and smarter team.  For the coaches it makes us super-proud to see the adults they have become!

From Coach Rick to each senior, it has been great to watch you grow as a young man and athlete.

Alexander’s polite demeanor and enthusiasm make him a pleasure to coach and mentor.  He was always willing to take the lead and be a responsible team leader.

 

 

You can’t help but admire Jack’s stoic take on racing and training.  He is a hard worker that put in many miles over the years on the revolution.

 

 

 

 

James was there the very first year when it was just Coach Rick and a few other student athletes. James had the ability to “dig deep” within himself and it showed with his races. On one occasion James had a mechanical right at the very start at the Woodberry Forest race.  He had to borrow a bike for the race and he then started in last position.  James passed over 50 competitors to finish in a top 5 spot. James was always respectful to his competitors and showed a high level of sportsmanship which made him a great joy to coach.

 

And now, in alphabetical order, each senior is called to the VIRTUAL #1 PODIUM spot:

Alexander: One of the most positive riders who worked very hard and, no matter the outcome, was always upbeat. We love to see his smile!  Alexander is like the Pied Piper; he always has a following of people around him, young and old.  At practice and races his enthusiasm, positive attitude and determination are infectious.  Alexander has also had his share of mechanicals in races, flat tires and dropped chains, yet he never lets it tarnish his winning attitude.  He works hard at everything he does but never forgets to have fun!

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Hands up Alexander for your ovation! (We can hear your mom’s cow bell ringing.)

 

Jack: Made amazing progress from the first time he raced at Miller School until his senior year. He evolved into a really strong rider and overcame a lot.  Jack is the silent leader who leads by example.  You will usually see Jack hanging in a crowd of teammates listening intently to what they have to say.  Jack is a very determined rider and is almost always at the front of practice rides and drills demonstrating his commitment to honing skills on and off the bike.  The coaches and parents can always count on Jack to demonstrate what it means to be a member of the Colonial Revolution.

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Hands up Jack for your round of applause and cheers! (Your Mom is always the loudest and we love her for it!)

 

James: The most tenured of the group, always has a following of teammates around him at practice and at races.  His enthusiasm is infectious and the older members all look up to James for camaraderie and inspiration.  James always portrays what the team is all about.  Throughout his years of racing, James has suffered a few mechanical issues and crashes that may have cost him a spot on the podium.  Although disappointed, his positive attitude and tenacity always come to the forefront.  The coaches have come to lean on James for help at practice leading rides or drills.  He always displays an incredible talent and attitude. “Intense, but yet always had a smile for the camera when he saw it” (-Mrs. Leibler).

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Hands up James as the team goes wild! (Your parents are clapping humbly but their pride is beaming!)

 

We often get the pleasure of seeing these three outside of the team.  Maybe at a high school track meet, hanging around the neighborhood or bumping into them at a local park or camping trip.  The qualities they demonstrate as a member of the bike team are not for show, they are on display all the time, offering true evidence as to what being a member of the Colonial Revolution is all about.

Best of luck in the future, James, Jack and Alexander!  You have left your mark on the trail and in our hearts.

 

James, the mountains are calling and we know you must go.    Remember to pause every once in a while and listen.  We are all here, still cheering for you.  We can’t wait to see where your trail leads.  ~Love, Mom & Dad (Kelly & Ken Allmon)

 

Jack, my wish for you is to have a life full of happiness, laughter and adventure.                   (-Lisa Wiertel)

 

Alexander, from class to stage to road to trail, may your curiosity, drive, kindness and compassion continue to guide you as each new adventure unfolds. (-Kimberly Mayer)

Thanks to a nudge from Coach Andres, Henry and I have been working with Tidewater Team Sports to design hats for the team to meet our July 1st goal of having them on our heads. We have opted for classic yet trendy styles hoping to appeal to everyone. The minimum is only 8 hats per style so we might be sporting more than one look!

• The hats will be embroidered with the team logo.
• The cost will be less than $15.00 per hat.
• Color will be chosen to go with team jersey.

Help us narrow down the choices so we can get samples for pre-orders by viewing the attached PDF of 5 options and then completing this survey with your preferences.

PLEASE only complete the survey ONCE per hat-wearing-family member. (Yes, I know you can submit again, but please resist the temptation to load the ballot box.)

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Parker

Saturday at York River State Park one didn’t have to look too closely to see signs of spring…pops of parakeet green, bumblebee yellow and Colonial Revolution blue! Like the clumps of grass and patches of dandelions, our youth mountain bike team is growing with riders new to the sport and coaches seasoned in mountain biking. What an awesome combination!

 

But first, trail etiquette reminders from Coach Mike, Coach Rick and Chief Ranger, Brad Thomas.  York River State Park is a multi-user system of trails, therefore…

• Respect each other and other park users
• Know and follow the direction of the trail: one-way or multi-directional
• Yield to HORSES, people and bikes
• Slow down, acknowledge, pass on the left
• Inform the park of downed trees, erosion, and other dangers on the trails.  Word will be passed along to EVMA (Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association).
• Maintain control
• Ride trails matched to your skill level; coaches will help identify these

Bike checks courtesy of Fran from Conte’s Williamsburg and Jimmy of Jimmy’z Mobile Bike Repair. Simultaneously, the coaches were checking helmets!

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s Party!'” (-Robin Williams)

Although bundled up for the cool weather, based on these smiles, it is easy to see that the Colonial Revolution Youth Mountain Bike Team is ready to party! Welcome spring.

Collage photos by Shelly Liebler

ColRev is so LUCKY to have the continued support of Robert at Red Barn Bicycles including his Spring Tune-Up Fundraiser!! (Yep, it deserves double exclamation points.)  Get your bike into Red Barn during the month of March for a pre-season tune up, and Robert will donate a portion of the proceeds directly to the team.

Like Coach Mike tells the team, “Don’t wait till the last minute to find out that this fancy gizmo is worn, or that funky doohickey is (still) broken.”

Feel free to hit the Share button…OF COURSE you know a riding buddy or two who needs this!

 

“We don’t mountain bike. We ARE mountain bikers!”  Unique to this sport is the fact that members of the mountain biking community frequently congregate in  “neighborhood clubhouses” also known as local bike shops. Not only do these clubhouses stock the goods but, more importantly, the service and support that is passion driven!

Walt, owner of Village Bicycles in Newport News, once shared, “The way to make a million dollars in this business is to start with two.” [Insert laugh track.] He quickly added, “This business is ALL about community!” After the ColRev end of season celebration, Walt was personally thanked for operating a local bike shop because without a “clubhouse” like his, there couldn’t be a Colonial Revolution community.

The Colonial Revolution family is incredibly grateful for the continued support of time, talent and expertise offered in the “clubhouses” in our area. With almost 40 student-athletes plus their parents and siblings, we need all of you to ensure we don’t miss a ride!

Sneak a peak into the workshops of our 7 clubhouses: