Richmond ASR Youth

Bike Race Update

2009-05-05T08:49:00.003-04:00

UPDATE:5-8-09
THE RACE HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO POOR TRAIL CONDITIONS AND THE FURTHER THREAT OF RAIN. I WILL POST A NEW DATE AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE.

Well it's official, there will be a free kids' bike race at Camp Hilbert this weekend. Please come out on Saturday morning to ride the excellent singletrack trails. As usual we will design the course so that it takes about 20 minutes to complete the race.
Race time: 9:30- please register around 9:00.
Finisher's prizes for everyone.
Check website if weather is bad before coming out. It will be updated by 6 am race morning.
There is the option for the stronger riders to do the junior division of the main race. This is slated for 2 laps of about 6 miles each but it is fine for kids to just do 1 lap.

Race info and directions can be found at http://www.runriderace.com/

Hope to see you there!

Spring Outdoor Adventures

2009-04-05T09:18:00.002-04:00

Hey Kids
There are a lot of events that are right around the corner and I want to make sure you know about them.
Running Kids is hosting their Lil-Big Adventure at Pocahontas Sate Park on April 18th. This is a kid-adult adventure triathlon that Noelle has been putting on for many years and I have participated with my kids for at least 4 or 5 of these races. Drag your folks out and have some off road fun. Info and registration at www.runningkids.net

There are 3, yes 3, free kids' bike races coming up. I will be course designing and race directing and hope that many of you can make it out for some fun on the trails.
April 19- Kids' Bikin' Blast @ Poor Farm Park
May 9- Kid's race @ Camp Hilbert- new course on trails
June 28- kid's race @ Camp Hilbert- new course on trails
These races are free and should last about 20 minutes of race time. The distances for each age group will be designed so that everyone finishes within this time frame but they will not be too easy for those looking for a challenge. If you are over 12 or a very strong younger rider, I recommend trying the junior division of the "big" bike race.
More info for all these races can be found at http://www.runriderace.com/mountain-bike-events/
There will be some updating to the site soon that reflects the kid's race course change and the starting times will most likely be early in the morning around 9 or 9:30.

As the slideshow for this month says- "Get out and Ride!"

Kids- Grab a Parent and Race

2009-03-01T15:57:00.003-05:00

I have included a brief outline of two excellent upcoming events from Running Kids. More info can be found by following the link at the bottom of this post. I will be participating in each of these with my kids so come join me for the fun and make your parents try to keep up with you!

Family Fun for just $35. The adult/child team Scavenger Adventure is a family fun event for the novice adventure racers to the professionals. With both competitive & non-competitive courses, there is something for everyone. 2 or 3-person teams. This Saturday. Register Now!

The adult/child team Little-Big Adventure triathlon is a highly professional chip-timed event that maintains a very warm and friendly environment. Everywhere you turn, parents and children alike are encouraging one another; teams are crossing the finish line hand-in-hand; parents & children of all ages are embracing after their achievement. Register Now!

www.runningkids.net

Bubba goat and Billy goat meet

2009-02-06T08:06:00.000-05:00

This weeekend's O meet description and specifics are below.

Hello everyone!

Looking ahead this weekend's weather forecast convinces me that Punxsutawney Phil was mistaken! We'll enjoy temperatures in the mid 60's for this Saturday's Bubba Goat O meet at Pocahontas State Park. Enter the park at the main entrance off of Beach Road and meet us in the parking lot by the park office.

mapquest link:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Chesterfield&state=VA&address=10301+State+Park+Road&zipcode=23832
Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 23838
$5 per car parking fee
$5 per map
no pre-registration required.

What is a Bubba Goat?
According to the Georgia Orienteering Club website, the Bubba Goat started in Georgia and is the "southern version of the famous Billygoat event established by Peter Gagarin in Massachusetts. A "Goat" event is typically one very long course, sometimes with an optional shorter, although still long course. The format is what sets it apart from other Long-O courses. There is a mass start, and following is not only allowed, it's encouraged! Packs of orienteers form, break up, re-form, and competitors may skip any one (or sometimes two) controls, in order to add another element of strategy."

Which goat are you going to run?
Bubba Goats: 3+ hour 16,000 meter Score-O course
Billy Goats: 2 hour Orange course or 1 hour White course

Mass Start at noon
Everyone must be out of the woods by 5:30 pm.
Bring a cell phone as a safety backup.

Kristi Orcutt
Outdoor Education Programmer
Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation
(804) 706-2734 office
(804) 310-7964 cell phone

Winter/Spring Youth O Clinics

2009-01-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

Hey Adventure Kids!!

Well I have finally found some dates that should work well for youth orienteering clinics for the early spring of '09. I will be following a similar format to last fall by having a 1 hour training session right before a local orienteering meet. This allows you to go out and practice what you just learned. The cool thing is this year the dates are on Saturday instead of Sunday.

We always send kids out in at least groups of two. The folks with less experience can expect an adult to tag along but only to keep anyone from getting really lost. Your parents are welcome to join us- this sport is fun for all ages.

So here is the pertinent info:

February 7 @ Pocahontas State Park- 10:30 am

Head to main park entrance and follow orienteering signs, we will be set up nearby. The meet starts at 12:00 and you need enough cash to cover the park fee and map fees ( around $6 total)bring a compass if you have one, if not we have some available to borrow. There will be a white/yellow course and a long course.

February 21 @ Chimborazo Park- 11:00 am

Head to main park entrance and follow orienteering signs, we will be set up nearby. The meet starts at 12 and there will only be white/yellow course available. This meet is geared toward less experienced folks so it is perfect for youth training.

March 21 @ Rockwood Park- 7:00 pm

Yep, that's right a night clinic and O meet. I will be inviting several kids that have a good bit of experience to come out for a fun evening of navigating with a flash light, map and compass. We will be pairing up the kids and each group will head out with an experienced adult. Work hard at the first two clinics and you might be eligible. Playing in the woods is fun...playing in the woods at night is even better!

For more info on all the Orienteering meets please visit Quantico Orienteering @ http://qoc.nova.org/

Also back by popular demand....drumroll please....

March 7 - Running Kids Scavenger Adventure

This is a kid/adult race with elements of orienteering, geocaching, biking and running involved. My kids and I participated in an event very similar to this one a few years ago and had a blast. I will be helping Noelle with this race and strongly recommend you find someone over 18 who will do it with you and come have fun at Camp Brady Saunders. You will have a leg up on the competition if you have been coming to my clinics. More info @ http://www.runningkids.net/

That's it for now- 4 events in the next 2 months and there are no bugs or poison ivy out yet!

As always let me know if you are planning to come to the clinics: fivedunkums@verizon.net