The whole family came to dad's first cyclocross race of the season at the Alpenrose Dairy way back on the first of October. Lily saw the kiddie cross race and announced that she wanted to do that. That race turned out to be the last one the whole family went to -- dad went to the rest solo.
To back up just a bit, it should be known that Lily has a bike with training wheels. She can ride it but she is a pretty timid cyclist. She is very nervous about going down any kind of hill and she has one speed -- kind of slow. She hasn't ridden her bike that much because she doesn't feel very confortable on the road.
Dad's season ended two weeks ago with the Portland USGP race but there was one more local race that he had decided to skip. He saw that there was going to be a kiddie cross race so he asked Lily if she wanted to race. The response was a hearty, "Yes!" Dad took her out on her bike on Saturday to get in a little practice and she braved the 40 degree temperatures to ride up and down the street and around the yard (with a little power assist through the grass) for a good while.
Sunday was cold but clear. She lined up with the young kids and took off with dad following along. She rode right through the mud, hopped off and dragged her bike (with a little help) over the barrier, and cruised around to the finish line. Near the end of the lap, she was going faster than she had ever gone before. It must have been the excitement of competition.
At the finish line she was awarded a very nice Chris King (local bike component manufacturer) water bottle. She thought the race was great and getting the water bottle was the best part. She's been drinking out of that bottle since the race.
Lily and mommy had a great time dressing up, learning about manners and having high tea at the Heathman hotel in downtown Portland. Lily had the Peter Rabbit Tea which included hot chocolate, various sandwiches, pastries, fruit and cheese. Mommy had her favorite chamomile, along with the rest of the "grown up" Heathman delicacies. Lily got to sit next to the big Christmas tree in the tea court and admired the huge ornaments.
