I feel like I need to prove that we do things other than ride bikes. Or sell bikes. Or talk about bikes. Something, anything, other than bikes. And we do. This past week, we celebrated a birthday. Deanna's mom just turned 40, so we had a fantastic dinner. And in true Zimmer fashion, they played cards. Oh, and there was cake. Mmm. Cake.
The Beautiful Mrs. K went to a Cards game with the fam. I should have gone. But sitting at home in the peace and quiet won out over the chaos of a baseball game. Man, I must be getting old.
Somehow, you knew this was coming, right? We traveled to Jefferson City for the 2nd race in the Missouri NICA mountain bike race series for Eli. We had to go a day early (Friday Night) because there were horrendous storms forecasted for Sunday. So the race organizers opted to race Saturday instead. We had a beautiful Airbnb on the edge of the Missouri river. Great morning view before we had to pack up quick and head out to Binder Lake for the mountain bike race.
The first race of the day is always the Varsity Boys. Eli and the other points leaders get called up, total professional style, to the starting line first. This photo is so great: these guys ride, race, and train together. They're fantastic young men, talented and real role models for the hundreds of kids that participate in these things.
After a blistering fast race, Eli came second. I figure that my fine readers know that the most stressful times of my life are when my kids are competing. Watching him power up the climb to the finish line took an enormous weight off of my chest.
That second place finish was enough to put Eli in the coveted Leaders Jersey. Every kid that puts their tires on NICA dirt wants one. After his first year of racing in 2021, Eli has been shooting for this. It can change hands again at the next race in the series, but he has worked very hard for this and it's his for this precious moment.
Bad photo because the light was fading and the skies were getting stormy. Happy to have caught this shot of Eli's best girl putting his 2nd place medal on for his days finish.
Another bad shot, but I couldn't leave out the podium pic. I shouldn't be surprised by these guys being at the top of the class because I've raced them myself and I know they're awesome. But it's just so darn cool that this group is at the top of the heap at the moment.
Resplendent in his trusty swim trunks and fresh Leaders Jersey, Eli couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier, either. I'm so pleased that he's reaching the goals that he set for himself. The best thing a person can do is to accomplish things that are important to THEM.
Also very impressive: The South City Otters and the Metro Panthers. I'm lucky enough to watch these athletes improve and grow and constantly ride their bikes better and better. They were second in the team competition, which is no easy task. Way to go, Otterpants!
And just when you thought that I had lapsed right back into writing only about biking stuff, we get this photo. I would like to think that I had some kind of influence on this. Pep talks, maybe? Some genetic support, perhaps? Or is this just typical Hanna tenaciousness, putting in hard work and making hard work part of everyday life? The latter, I'll say.
With local mountain bike racing over for me, I raced 'cross at Belk park. This is the first time since 2013 that I attempted to use an actual cyclocross bike. Man, what a difference 10 years makes. So much control, so much fun. I still have never won a cyclocross race on an actual cx bike, but I was darn proud of my 2nd place. Thanks to the Mileski's for the photo. 
I was very proud of these two. Eli won his Junior's race, and Mrs. K had a much better race than she will admit. Funny thing: We all lined up together to race in the same race, which will probably never happen again. Another Mileski photo. 
