Dave Dezellem

Hi all,
#91 is my son Nate, this was his first race as a junior he���ll be turning 10 in December. He was really excited and nervous prior to the start. For the last couple of years he has been biting at the bit to get his chance to race with the big kids. My daughter also started racing this season with the Jr girls, this was her third race this year.

The talk in the car on the way home Saturday was about how hard the course was, a good thing, and how nice the faster juniors where, calling out that they were coming up, and giving space when passing. Riding with the older, faster kids is something the kids and I where both a little nervous about. Its great knowing that the older and faster racers while focused on their races are also looking out for younger less experienced riders, it makes them feel more comfortable being out there, and as a parent it makes me feel good knowing that kids are watching out for each other.

Thanks to rider #10 and all the other racers and spectators who were out there encouraging the juniors on.

jon.ragsda..@comcast.net

There are a lot of people that think the Cross Culture is weird, or worse, but it's the most tightly knit group OBRA has. My 15 year old crashed, and the leader of the junior race slowed down to make sure she was OK before continuing on. Last year my other junior had a flat and was going to have to pull out of a race and when I was talking to her in the pit area three people that I'd never seen before came up and offered her a wheel to continue.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Candi Murray via OBRA"
To: "obra"
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2015 7:08:31 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] FW: cyclocross- a note I got today from a junior mother

Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2015 10:31 PM
To: Candi Murray
Subject: Re: cyclocross

I want to tell you what I heard on the course yesterday.

I have to say the race impressed me. I was sitting by the stairs waiting for my son to get there when I heard #10 (an older junior boy) encourage #91 (a young jr boy) to keep going. It is my son's 2nd race and I am so impressed with all the encouraging words I heard yesterday for all the kids.

Just wanted someone to know how kind a teen age boy was.

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rond..@spiritone.com

Thanks so much for posting Candi.
OBRA has lots of this type of behavior! It is so important as the mother pointed out.
I honestly believe that a “fellow racer giving encouragement” to other racers, be they junior or adult can be the difference between a person giving it up or keeping on. Beginners and apprehensive adults are similar to the kids in the need for positive feedback from the seasoned racers. One of the best things that can happen to a junior or beginner (or even a person in their 2nd-3rd yr) is have a seasoned racer they might respect take the time to have a chat with them.......tips about racing or just a good laugh. Actually look them in the eyes and make contact. New people need to feel they belong and want to continue to belong. Giving them support and not just viewing them as an obstacle is what will keep the sport strong. The small successes when just getting started are actually huge. This might even encourage the same behavior in them in the future. Doing this may take some of our time, but don’t we really have some time for others? Help the struggling get stronger!
Have fun out there racers.
ronnie

From: Candi Murray via OBRA
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2015 7:08 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] FW: cyclocross- a note I got today from a junior mother

Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2015 10:31 PM
To: Candi Murray
Subject: Re: cyclocross

I want to tell you what I heard on the course yesterday.

I have to say the race impressed me. I was sitting by the stairs waiting for my son to get there when I heard #10 (an older junior boy) encourage #91 (a young jr boy) to keep going. It is my son's 2nd race and I am so impressed with all the encouraging words I heard yesterday for all the kids.

Just wanted someone to know how kind a teen age boy was.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Candi Murray

Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2015 10:31 PM
To: Candi Murray
Subject: Re: cyclocross

I want to tell you what I heard on the course yesterday.

I have to say the race impressed me. I was sitting by the stairs waiting for my son to get there when I heard #10 (an older junior boy) encourage #91 (a young jr boy) to keep going. It is my son's 2nd race and I am so impressed with all the encouraging words I heard yesterday for all the kids.

Just wanted someone to know how kind a teen age boy was.