A first time for everything!

As the old adage goes, "There's a first time for everything!" 

Never has this rung more true than a recent experience gifted to me by my buddy Kevin Simms aka COACH Simms aka Simmer. I'm pretty sure that I've written in the past about Simmer's role in my conversion to the dark arts of cycling, so there's no need to rehash that, but few know that Simmer is widely regarded as one of, if not THE, the best youth cycling coaches in Ontario ... perhaps Canada ... maybe North America! His present group of wunderkinds ride under the moniker IGNITE Junior Cycling and since he was running a training camp amidst the hills of Oro-Medonte, he asked me if I would consider tagging along for a training race and take some action shots.

Whaaat? Sports ... camera ... cycling ... Simmer? I didn't need much time to mull that one over!

Mother Nature didn't get the memo for the day, darkening skies looming as the day progressed, threatening a wet track with each passing hour. Not to be intimidated, the 9 wunderkinds embraced the challenge of racing in the rain like bees to honey. Resplendent in their Uber logo'd team kit ... borrowing from rugby, it's ALL ABOUT THE KIT ... the buzz of teen aged excitement was palpable as the event neared. Trusted Nikon in hand, I was busily filling its SD card with informal shots, with the kids barely batting an eyelash like a group of seasoned pros, when the call came to mount up. Being a complete NEWB to road cycling, the announcement that it would be a neutralized start washed over my understanding like a rolling tide, but I witnessed the needed explanation as they rolled to a predetermined start point before putting the proverbial pedal to the floor ... a rolling start, if you will.

Simmer brings a TON of cred to the table.

With a brilliant race career of his own, at the world championship levels none the less, his hustle for sponsorship dollars is massively impressive! Besides the aforementioned kit from Giordana, shoes from Sphyre, helmets from Lazer, and nutrition from Namedsport, the jewell of his efforts is a top of the line Ford F-150 Lariat thanks to Thor Motors, on loan for the 2023 racing season. Not just a run-of-the-mill pickup, with a list price of $88 K, this ride is one sweet deal, and just what the doctor ordered as a support vehicle to a team like IGNITE. While the 'currency' of the team is undoubtably the athletes and their successes, should they perform at noteworthy levels, attracting the interest of pro riding teams in both N America and Europe, the foundation on which they develop their abilities is built on the support they receive while honing their craft. An Energizer Bunny of positivism, Simmer's depth of knowledge may be equalled but definitely not surpassed, especially in Canada.

Capturing the efforts of this really great group of youngsters was a TREAT, albeit a tough task type! Hopping in and out of the truck, being a contributor to the needs of the racers, dodging raindrops with Nikon aimed and ready all made for an interesting afternoon. I usually don't struggle with capturing the action of sports I have a plethora of experience with like basketball and rugby, but with zero bike race experience, there were fingers and toes crossed that the products were of a decent quality. Back home, photos uploaded to my MacBook, a quick perusal revealed that there were more than I anticipated, but my overall opinion was DEF that I can do better, even with the positive feedback from Simmer and the lads. I have committed to attend a few more events with the intention to grab some WOWSERS! 

The pundits claim that challenging our 'mature' brains with new-to-us tasks helps to stave off cognitive decline in our later years, so I'm betting that a few more events like this one will do the trick for the ol' grey matter, for sure!

Thanks Simmer! Thanks IGNITE JC! 

Life is most DEFINITELY good!