As you've all been reading I'm sure, the race this weekend was full of ups and downs, especially with the passing of Kevin Parks. What a shame. Reading all of the heartfelt posts on the thread about him, one after another describe a very special guy. It's a great thread reading about all of the people he touched, especially the small acts of kindness that made such a big impact on people.

So for me, this weekend I had a lot of conflicting thoughts. On the one hand, I was upset about Kevin dieing, and on the other hand, I was excited about participating in my first 24 hr race at Starvation Ridge, and my second race ever. I was really looking forward to testing myself and working with my team to get through the weekend.

After hearing the news I thought about what to do and decided to carry on. And as I mentioned in another post, one minute I was excited and caught up in the moment, and the next I was sick to my stomach.

But two things really stuck in my mind and I wanted to mention them as I don't really know about them and was hoping someone could fill me in.

1. During the last lap of the race, after 9:00 am, I saw a group of riders tearing through one of the checks, and a bystander mentioned "they are riding for Kevin". So I assume some folks did a lap in Kevin's honor? What a cool thing to do.

Seeing that really filled my heart with a good feeling and got me a bit choked up.

They come into this vid at around 20 secs or so:


Does anyone know who they were?

2. During one of my laps, which I 'think' started around 6 am, I came upon what looked like a father following along behind either his son or daughter. I couldn't tell, but he was clearly riding shotgun for what looked like a younger rider. I just assumed it was a parent and their kid.

I fell into line behind them waiting for a bit of wider track as we were on a tight section, and passed as mellowly as I could and just thought how awesome that is that a dad is out there with his kid, riding around doing laps. Clearly the dad could have been roosting along and no doubt would have smoked me, but there he was patiently looking after his own.

This was another moment that really filled my heart and inspired me to be as good of a parent as I could be. I know its a simple thing, but it really struck me as something special.

Does anyone know who that was?

So, two very special moments during a weekend that was otherwise filled with a lot of grief.

Lastly, if you have any other special stories about the race, feel free to chime in.

Ed

Ed, i think there is a parent / kid class.

That was young Tyler Foley and his Dad Kevin. The kids pulled together to form a team this year. Ty, Robby, Lane, Austin Tyler, and I forget the last minute add from Trailtech. How about that a full on kids team. With a little luck we will see more kids teams next year. I know Austin is game for 2010.
Joe..........

Pics
Foley http://tripleateam.c...rgallery/foley/
Tyler @ the 25 hour: http://www.tripleate...G_2325.jpg.html
http://www.tripleate...G_2326.jpg.html

Lane Turner: http://tripleateam.c...ry/turner/lane/

Robby Nilson: http://tripleateam.c...y/nilson/robby/

Austin: http://www.loopd.com...in/Default.aspx

More 25 hour pics: http://www.tripleate...G_2326.jpg.html

One of the FarmBoy Teams did a honorary last lap for Parks.

What about the rider with the prosthetic left leg? I thought that was cool after I decided it was not a dream on a 2am lap. Passed me like I was standing still.

TONY

hayshaker said:

You sure that wasn't a right leg? That's a guy from our team, and he put in some good laps. :thumbsup: Although I am not sure he was out at 2 AM, maybe there is more than one?

Woods_Rider said:

I was just before the 1st check and took pics of the two young rippers riding for Kevin Parks Sunday morning...

Ride said:

I see, very cool. :thumbsup:

JoeMcLaughlin said:

That is so cool Joe, I hope they make it back next year and maybe a few more kids teams. Thanks for the info. :worthy:

RhinofromWA said:

Yep, those are the two Kev.

And Tony, great to see you at the race, been a long time, I think it must have been Lk Wenatchee a few years ago last I saw you.

mlyamkaw said:

Pretty sure it was a left leg and I had talked to a team farther down the pits from us who said this guy was next to them. :banana:



Good to see ya too Woods-rider!


TONY

RhinofromWA said:

That would have been Kyle on the KTM and Riley on the Honda. Both I believe rode on one of the Farmboy Teams. I had worked for Riley's father and uncle years ago and never knew they were riding. It was almost like a reunion seeing those guys. :ride:

TONY

I want to say thanks to the Cle Elum ranger Dist. for bringing their trailer down. My boys and their friend loved the Smoky bear swag.

My kids also liked their Halloween pumpkin they worked on too.

Smokeyyyyyyyyy!



Notice the racer health food - pop and chocolate chip cookies.

Ed way to support the wildlife. Congrats on your first 24 hr race!

The fathers and kids was great to see! What a memory for both.

Whoop

Paul