Sunday, I hooked up with Chris B. from SVMBA to ride the new Southside Scramble race course. About five miles of new singletrack has been added which is called Crooked Stick. This year the experts will complete two laps, sport/singlespeed one, and the beginners will race in a modified single lap.

There is also going to be another race there June 6. This is going to be a part of the Southern Classic Series. Pretty cool stuff! Check this link out!

http://www.southernclassicmtb.org/

Awesome Dates and a Great Video!

If you have not heard yet, the Va. Derailer Series has new, and what I consider improved, race dates. Yep! Three in the Spring and the remaining in Sept. and Oct. This means no racing in the hottest part of the summer. One of the hardest, most difficult races I have ever raced was the 2005 Southside Scramble in 96 degrees in August. Last year, it was even hotter! So, this series will now take place in much cooler conditions! That's great news! And, of course, there has been a new race added which is catching a lot of buzz!

http://www.vaderailerseries.com/

Check out this video from last year's Southside Scramble. Just click on the Southside Scramble video, not the trails highlight video you'll see first. See if you recognize the RCO racer hammering down the singletrack. Who is that madman?


http://www.danville-va.gov/departments.asp?menuid=2820&sub1menuid=2836&sub2menuid=2901&sub3menuid=3312

Best Downhill Ever?

This trail is called Greens Lick. It's located a little off the BRP outside of Asheville, NC. It's smooth and well-maintained by the locals. From the parking lot it takes about an hour at a steady pace to get to this point. Many of the turns are banked, so you can flat out fly! But what makes this trail so incredible is that it was constructed with some major places to jump. There were so many that I lost count. Several of jumps have landing ramps, so you have hit it right. They come at you fast, one right after another. It almost has a free ride feel to it, which can be a lot fun! There are several videos posted on this trail, so check them out if you get a chance. Of course, it's always better to actually go there and ride it!

I have been wanting to go back here. There is a pretty cool campground nearby. Spring maybe? I hope so!

Let It Snow!

Schools were closed today! So, what did I do? I completed a short neighborhood run in the snow, took a spin class at the RAC, got an oil change for the truck, picked up some new contact lenses, and called Ron G to order a Thompson mountain bike seatpost and stem. I love Thompson components! I can wait to get these on my bike!

Game

We left Roanoke at 6:32 A.M.

We were in our seats at 2:15. Actually, we stood the entire game!

Jessica Simpson was there!







One of the Hogs!





Just before kickoff- video!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRcrvWPwvzQ


Couple of game shots! You can't tell from the pictures, but it rained the entire game!










Final pics!





Game Costs

Gas to and from Springfield- $51.35

Metro (round trip)- $15.60

Use of restrooms at McDonalds- . 50 cents

Game tickets / Food and beverages- $558.78

Apparel - $82.12

Beating Dallas by Sean Taylor's number (21) and making playoffs = PRICELESS!

Tickets- Redskins / Cowboys!

PRIME REAL ESTATE- Sec. 142, row 7, seats 9 /10 = 50 yard line / Seven rows from the field!




We were lucky to get these! Can't wait for Sunday!

So, Here's What I Do Between Rides!

First, I drink two cups of Yuban coffee. I get dressed and do all of the normal before work activities.





After a 12 minute drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I arrive here! I teach seventh grade English. This is year number sixteen.









It's a few minutes before the first bell, and the room is quiet and empty. It won't stay that way for long. Sixty-six students will pass through here today. Let me tell you a little about my teaching and my classroom.


















I love graphic organizers and have several displayed in my classroom. I use them on a daily basis. This one is on forms of literature.





























This one is about figurative language! They include several examples. I always have students look at various examples of a particular concept and then form a definition.




I always try my best to follow all of the correct teaching models, and I also believe it's important for students at this age to get up and move. Here are a couple of activities I do.























The first one is basketball. At the end of the class I ask questions. If the question is answered correctly then the student gets three shots. The shots are worth fractions such as 1/4 point and 1/2 point and so on, so we can get a little more practice adding fractions. There is also a Records board where we keep track of records.




Another game most students seem to like is what I call the Circle Game. Students form a circle and pass a foam ball. Before passing the ball the student must say something in a particular category. These categories could be anything from a prepositional phrases to compound sentences to literature elements. To keep things interesting we have "silly rules" like no names and no pointing.
















This is a Byrd Buck! Students can earn these by going above and beyond the call of duty on an assignment, exhibiting exceptional character, or simply by helping out in one way or another (running an errand / taking up or passing out materials).





Each Friday I open my "store." Students may spend Byrd Bucks on various items such as football/ baseball cards, crazy pencils, erasers, stuffed animals. By the way, I am always in need of donations to the store.


That's a glimpse of what I do between rides. I could go on forever, but that's enough for now. I can truly say that I love what I do!