Hello fellow cyclists! The NCC Trail Blasters Youth Cyclocross Racing Team had a literal blast to the start of their season! Numbers and emotions were high this past Sunday as the team congregated under the official new NCC tent at Blunt Park in Springfield MA on 8/27/23 to partake in the first race of the Valley Cyclocross Season.
Conditions were excellent – perfect summer day in the mid 70s. Our Trail Blaster racers from ages 7-14 were decked out in their best racing kits and eager to take their go at a super fun technical course. It was mostly flat with fun turns, roots to barrel through, and a significant natural rock barrier for some brave cyclists to hop and/or run over!
Lots of finishers in the top 10 representing the JAM Fund and Trail Blasters teams as well! In the Junior 9 and under race, the NCC Trail Blasters swept the podium with Cole B, Finn D and Tristan D taking 3rd, 2nd and 1st respectively!
In the Junior Girls’ 9-12, NCC Trailblasters filled 6 of the 11 slots in the race! Feedback at practice this week included lots of shoutouts highlighting Al Donahue, Ross Krause, Gus Lellman, Tom Hoogendyk, and Ellen Noble’s mentorship and the team camaraderie that is forming!
Kids are eager to keep up their skills with their twice weekly practices and hope to shine again at Hydra Cross on Sunday 9/3/23. Come on out with your loudest cowbells! These kids are awesome!
