August 29, 2007
Today was a pretty cool day for us as we got our new truck. We bought a ’03 Chevy Avalanche and I am pretty pumped to have a good size truck. It’s going to be a good vehicle for all the BMX road trips that we will be making in the future. A big thanks to Kelvin from Stony Plain for all your help with the truck, you rule.
It looks like the weather should be good this weekend for the Kelowna camp. There is stillroom for the camp so if you are thinking about coming out it’s going to be a great weekend and lots of training.
I will be going up to Edmonton for the Grand Provincial race in a couple of weeks. Hopefully it will be a nice weekend for once here in Alberta. Last weekend the Calgary Provincial was rained out on Sunday so they are now going by your top 2 scores plus the Grand’s. This means that the Grand’s race will more important than ever. If Saturday goes good then we will be doing a camp on Saturday after the race. These camps when we get to pull them off usually are really good and lots of kids come out.
It’s a great opportunity to get the track dialed in for the most important race of the year. All my trainers will be on hand for this clinic, as we will be splitting the group into two, so they get in more riding.
For the Edmonton race I will be setting up my pit area again but I’ll just be selling t-shirts. I WILL NOT be giving away any more product. When we were giving out the Rock Star you had to be 14 or older or have your parent say that you could have it. Well some parents still complained that I was hopping their kids up on energy drinks. Sorry, but all I was trying to do was give away FREE stuff, which kids love. The drinks were primarily for the parents anyway and the only reason that I was giving them out was because I had a supply of the stuff. Oh well, I will still bring some for my friends. It’s too bad that people just can’t see the good in which I’m trying to do for the kids.
Here is a picture of my girls in Victoria thanks to Drew V.
August 28, 2007
OK, today was the day that I caved in. That’s right, I’m officially on Face book! Like I have any more time to mess around with these computers these days. So if you are on there, then look me up.
Today I also went and bought my textbooks for school, what a joke. $500 just for the first semester and that’s just my textbooks, I still have labs and binders and above all, tuition. If any one wants to sponsor me going back to school I will be pumped, ☺.
Hope you guys like the Tory interview, he’s one of the coolest kids in the sport and luckily he’s a Canadian. I would like to post more interviews but I just don’t have the time to get together with anyone. I will try to get some more up there in the next little bit though.
August 27, 2007
Tory Nyhaug Interview.
How long have you raced? -I have raced for 10 years
How old are you? -I am 15 years old
Where do you live? -Coquitlam BC, Canada
How long have you been riding? -10 years
Who is your favorite racer in BMX? -Joey Bradford
What is your favorite track? -2004 UCI Worlds Valkenswaard Netherlands
How many and what titles have you won?
- I’ve won 4 UCI World Championships on 20’, 1 on cruiser, American ABA NAG 1 on class and cruiser, 2 Canadian ABA amateur #1, 2 CBA amateur #1’s, 4 X Redline Cup Championships, 6 X Canadian Champion, 2 X Provincial Champion and some more but I cant remember.
Tell me about how you got started in BMX and about your first race?
-When I was 4 my uncle knew about a BMX track nearby and because I loved to ride my bike everyday, he told us we should go and check it out. So we did and I fell in love with it immediately and I won my first race.
The word on the street is that you are the next Gretzky; tell me about your hockey!
-Well I don’t know about that! Ha-Ha. I play defense and I have played AAA every year except for one. I love Hockey and maybe someday get a scholarship.
If you got a scholarship would you pursue that over BMX?
-No I don’t think I could ever see myself giving up BMX for Hockey, I love BMX too much and it’s my life.
What else are you into?
-I like playing video games, hang out with my friends and I throw in some poker every now and then.
So how do you become a 4-time world champion?
-Training hard and believing in yourself. You have to set a goal and apply yourself to that and you can’t let anything get in your way. You also can’t let anyone tell you that you can’t because if you believe in yourself that’s all you need.
How much do you train? What’s a typical day for the champ?
-I trained really hard for the worlds, I got a really good program from Joey Bradford and he helped me out a lot and so did Jerry Bradford. I went to the track a lot and I visualized winning almost everyday leading up to it. A typical day for me would be get up have a shower, eat breakfast, go to school hit the gym at lunch. Come home and have something to eat, then do training go to the track or hockey have dinner and go to bed.
How was it to win the worlds in front of your own country?
-It was a dream come true, it was the best feeling in the world. I had been thinking about that every day since Brazil.
Why were you not in Brazil last year?
-5 weeks before I broke my collarbone, 4 ribs, my hand, got a concussion and punctured my lung.
Cool, what do you want to do/be when you are older?
-I really want to go to the Olympics for Canada for BMX in 2012 and I want to win some more world championships. After that I want to open my own business.
What kind of business?
-Haven’t quite decided yet but I want to make lots of money!
Don’t we all…. any last words or anyone you want to thank?
-First off I want to thank my whole family especially my mom and dad for emptying their bank accounts for me, and my sister for being my #1 fan. All the people I ride with: Leonard, Nick G, Nick B, Jon Land, Scott Erwood and the rest of the people I hang out with at the track who make it fun. My trainers Joey and Jerry Bradford for helping me out a lot and making me better than I could’ve been by myself. Cheryl Bradford for her support. The Bennetti’s for there help and support. My sponsors Staats and Troy lee, Shimano, Ciari, Maxis, Sun rims and Jason Halverson. All my competitors and teammates and anyone else that’s helped me.
August 26, 2007
The first North American UCI Olympic point’s race ran yesterday in Kingston and it was an interesting day. First off, Samantha won the Elite Women’s class hands down today with a very stacked women’s group. The top girls in North America were in attendance with Jill Kintner pulling in a 2nd place to add to her 5th place finish last weekend in Beijing. Sam had the more difficult group of girls and she didn’t get beat all day unless she gave up to save energy down the last straight.
Friday night it rained really bad and yesterday morning the track was in rough shape in some spots even though they had tarped it before the rain fell. All day the rain stayed away and Todd Harper and his fine crew of workers got the track into race shape and then did a terrific job. The Elites were doing battle all day until the rain started to fall about 5 minutes before the start of the semis. It only rained a little bit but it was enough to make the track really slick. In the first semi Mischa Partridge from Team BC snuck in after Kyle Bennett slipped off of the track. In the second round Kevin Hill and Scrumptious were battling with Robert De Wilde to get the 3rd and 4th spot. At one point Patrick and Kevin were both going to make it out but De Wilde wouldn’t have any of Hill in front of him and made the move out of the last turn. Jimmy Brown had a great gate and had an amazing 5 first pedals ‘till he slid out onto his head before the first jump, too bad.
On to the mains….
The rain stopped (it was only really a sprinkle) and the wind cleared the track up enough for the mains. Sam went on to win hers and the Elite Men loaded up next. Donny and Danny C looked like they were battling out front ‘till they crashed into the first turn taking out half the pack. Mikey Day ended up taking the win with DeWilde and Scrumptious taking the 2 and 3 spot. Mischa also took the 4th spot so the boys got some country points toward the Olympic spots, which Canada is really behind right now. Good job guys and hopefully in Ridge in a few weeks we will have a few more guys in the main.
Just a reminder that next weekend Aaron and I will be in KELOWNA doing a two-day camp. I will have a bit more info in a couple of days as to what trainers I will have and how big the camp will be. It will be a great opportunity to get in some great training before the big races at the end of the year.
Here are some pictures thanks to Barney Brown.
August 25, 2007
I’m sitting in my hotel room in Kingston with a few minutes to spare so I thought that I would get out an update. Yesterdays practice was really good; lots of fast guys and girls are here. In the Elite Men class Kyle Bennett, Stumpy and Mike Day were looking the fastest, however Donny was riding in a borrowed helmet and tennis shoes as the airline lost his bag on him. I think I saw him at the end of the night in this Monster helmet so he must have gotten it back.
On the Canadian side, national Champion Scott Erwood took a hard crash on his second lap of practice and broke a bone in his hand/wrist. He’ll be watching with a cast on today, sucks! Jimmy was looking good out there yesterday and with a good day who knows what this kid can do. This weekend they are running the random gate cadence so it eliminates the ability to slingshot. However Jimmy’s non-slingshot gate looks really fast so it shouldn’t matter too much.
The girls have a staked race with Jill Kitner, Hyashsi, Arielle Martin, Givens, Christine Miller and Samantha were looking good in practice. They should have a few good racks but Sam was looking real good last night. I will post results later.
The national team is here with Brendan Arnold of Ontario Cycling as their coach and I have been the self appointed mechanic, ☺. The National Team for once all look like they’re having a good time so today they should all do really well. Yesterday I was helping all the guys out with practice and had a great time doing it, it’s a lot of fun to get to help the best of the best in Canada. I have been training with these kids for most of their BMX careers and its cool to hang out with them at a UCI World Cup.
I will let you know how the day goes.
August 23, 2007
Just got this picture of Samantha in Victoria from Steve Baxter. The girl she is battling with is Latisha from France who got 3rd last weekend in China. I may be an idiot but doesn’t this look like some skill is involved?
August 22, 2007
Just got back from dinner with my sister here in Kingston ON. I finished a two-day camp that went really well for a mid-week camp that was put together 24 hours before it started. I was really tired on Tuesday after flying in on the red eye to get here but managed to pull it together for the day and get the camp rocking. Samantha flew in this morning after taking the red eye last night to get in some good training today. She was tired but had a really good training session with the other kids, and they all loved to have her here. Jimmy Brown was also here to train as he is making his Elite debut at the big race, and I have to say that he was looking really good today. It was a good day for everyone that was riding as the rain stayed in the sky and it was nice and cool outside.
Tomorrow I have a camp in Ottawa at the ABA track, which is Damian Leshances home base so it will be good to ride with him. Today he showed up after the camp to ride a bit and this guy can really ride a bike. It’s too bad that he can’t ride more with the fast guys out west; it would be good for everyone.
So here is the straight scoop on my back. The ligaments that hold my L4, L5 and S1 vertebra are really loose and are not doing what they’re suppose to. The looseness is causing the vertebra to grind on each other which in turn is causing pain and inflammation. This is causing my discs to pop in and out, and is what is causing me so much grieve. What the Dr. is going to do is a bone scan on Monday of next week when I get home. From this he is going to shoot cortisone in to my back (very painful) to kill all the feeling. When this occurs the swelling and inflammation will go down so that he can inject a sugar solution into all of the ligaments. This will tighten and harden the ligaments and hopefully make them good again. I hope I can make it 100 percent with the right physio and training, thank god!!!! The only problem is that I will have to get this done once a year and it cost about $1500 per round. Oh well.
So, it looks like you guys better watch out next year. I go September 17th for my shots to fix my back. It wont be long after ’till I start training again so I am pumped, no surgery and in a few more weeks, no more pain.
Just talked to Bubba and he is back home from China. He fractured his ankle in 3 places and also tore all the ligaments on the inside of it. He sees the surgeon tomorrow to see if he needs surgery but they say it will be at least 3 months before he can ride again. It sucks but I guess injuries are a part of this sport, just how it is.
Anyway I am going to bed! Check out the Elite Men Final in China, great job Donny. I got the video off of you tube; I didn’t even need a coach to watch it!
August 20, 2007
I just arranged a last minute camp for this Thursday, August 23rd, at the Ottawa track. The camp will run from 6-9pm and will be at a cost of 35$ per rider. Samantha will be there training and helping out as well. Sam will also be there for the 2nd day of the Kingston camp. I went to my back specialist this afternoon and he told me that I won’t be needing surgery which is a good thing. He is sending me for some bone-screening tests and hopefully all I’ll be needing is cortozone injections into the discs. I’m crossing my fingers that this works; I’m really sick of living in constant pain and I’m itching to get back on my bike again. I can’t wait…..
August 20, 2007
Today is going to be another one of those days. I am spending the morning doing as many programs as I can pump out before I have to go to Red Deer tonight for their club training. After that I have to drive back the 1.5 hours to get to the Calgary Airport as I have a red eye flight to Ottawa so I can start a two-day camp in Kingston. Whew!
So it’s official that I will be doing a two-day camp in Kingston, ON starting tomorrow (Tuesday, August 21) at 2:00pm and will run ‘till 8:00pm. The same time will go on Wednesday, 2:00pm to 8:00pm. My sister will also be out there to get some training in, as this was the whole reason that I was going this week. I will be helping my sister get her “Mojo” back on her bike and watch her get another win at this weekends UCI race in Kingston.
I just heard from Bubba in China and he had a really bad crash in his time trail. Check out the video on Arielle Martins Blog. He shattered his heel and severely dislocated his ankle, not a very good injury to have when he is starting to gather points for the Olympics. If he needs surgery he is not going to have it done in China, rather he is coming home and having Dr. Blevins fix it up for him. Get well soon buddy!
This last weekend was the provincial race up in St. Albert and again another wet weekend. I think that the provincial series (which is my favorite) is cursed this year with rain. The only good thing about all the rain this year is that it happens at provincials, the best run races in Canada. At these races there are lots of parents and track people that take great pride in their tracks and work their butts off to get the track to the level it needs to be. The St. Albert crew with the rest of the help did a great job on keeping the track dry and fixing the wet spots and the race was run fast and went great! Awesome job guys!!! Not to stir the pot more than I do 
but maybe the CCA should take a camp on how to run a race from the Alberta BMX crew!!!!
Other than being a bit slippery in some areas the track was in great shape and is on an awesome racetrack as it’s not your typical M or U inside a U shape. The racing in Alberta has really stepped up this year and it’s fun to watch these kids rip around, good job guys.
I had the Rock Star set up and it was awesome. I had a lot of stickers, posters and drinks to give out and it was cool to have everyone stop by and say hi. I kept on getting asked what I was getting out of it and really it was for the kids. Rock Star gives me as much product as I need so I just had lots of it to give away. I think that if there were more people giving away posters and stickers it would be a lot more fun at races so maybe this weekend in Calgary there might be someone else giving away some stuff. I will be in Kingston but Aaron and Jenn will have the pits set up giving away stuff and selling the CampCools t-shirts.
Alex Sailor has made the step-up to Jr. Elite and made Aaron race the whole track as he was looking for any hole to get in on. It’s good to see the energy and determination from the younger guys and I hope that the whole Elite group from guys to girls will grow in the next few years. Aaron Lepp and Kaila Sweeney cleaned up the Elite class and a good chunk of money for both.
Speaking of Aaron today is his 21st birthday, so happy birthday buddy. Here’s to another great season and thank you for all you do, cheers!!! I had to post this picture of Aaron from New Years, a too few many…hahaha.
August 19, 2007
I will have a report of the weekend tomorrow but I just wanted to let everyone know that I WILL be doing a two-day camp in Kingston, ON on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will have full details about times tomorrow when I get everything sorted out. However it will be two 5 hour days of training for a cost of $110 per rider.