2009 riding pictures

In late 2008, John got a new motorcycle, a 2-stroke Kawasaki KX 60. Here is the first time he went riding at Metcalf motorcycle park, in the fog, on New Year's day:

At the end of January, we volunteered on a trail maintenance day at the Hollister Hills motorcycle park. Here is the kid's crew moving a big steel pipe into the trash (picture courtesy of Ranger Natalie, whose son is on the right in the picture, in the black/white outfit):

Unfortunately, in February the new bike suffered total engine failure, when sand got into the cylinder through a tear in the air filter. While the engine was being rebuilt, John got to ride on a Yamaha TT-R 125L, generously lent by George (Motomania). Here the whole group is taking a break on Peat's Path or Jay's Lane at Hollister. John is in the middle; George is in the grey jersey on the back:

John's bike was finally fixed at the end of March, just hours before the "Wild Wabbit Harescramble" motorcycle race at Hollister. The first picture is all the kids of his age class lining up before even getting to the starting lineup (they had to wait for about 45 minutes here). The second picture is at the starting line, with Guillermo and Jade right behind him to cheer him along. The third picture is going through the starting gate. The last two pictures are 44 minutes later, coming back after a single lap of the 9.3 mile course. John finished second.

John showing off the plaque for his second place finish, first at the race, then at home:

We need to get the official pictures of the race.

In April, John started the "Junior Ranger" class at Metcalf, where Ranger Mike teaches the kids how to ride, how to be a park ranger, and about the environment at the park. Some of the pictures courtesy of Shawn, another parent in the class.

May 9th was the final day of the program. Two group pictures of all the kids with Ranger Mike:

After the Junior Ranger program, we want (back) to the public meeting of the California OHMVR commission. Here is John addressing the commissioners (picture courtesy of Ed Waldheim of CTUC). On the back of his jersey is the big "Junior Ranger" star, and if you look carefully, you can see his badge pinned to the jersey on the second picture.