How the race started…

Beginning with the bike…

Christmas of 2007 our grandmother planted a seed by giving Gavin his first bike, a radio flyer tricycle. The seed took root over the next several years. Gavin, Brody, and Chase put hundreds of miles on this tricycle… in our kitchen. The love of cycling and racing continued to sprout in Gavin and Brody when they advanced to bikes with training wheels then quickly learned to ride without training wheels. In the spring of 2009, we ventured out to our driveway. Gavin and Brody used our driveway to improve their riding skills, practice hill climbs, and experience hill descents. Cycling skills grew during the spring of 2010 in the cul-de-sac at the end of our street. Gavin and Brody raced around the circle, while Mom pushed Chase in a stroller.

We spent countless summer days at our aunt’s pool. We enhanced our swimming in a playful atmosphere. Water felt like our second home!

During a visit with our grandparents in Maryland in July of 2012, our interest in cycling developed further. “Training” for six year old Gavin officially began. However, he was not racing for a medal or trophy; he was racing for ice cream! Gavin had to build endurance to go on a short biking trip to the ice cream shop with Mom. Dad also learned about the Firecracker Kids Tri held in Cambridge, MD. Our racing team began to blossom!

Mom spent the next year training Gavin and Brody (Chase was too young to compete). Some pool time at Auntie Lynnie’s was dedicated to swimming laps. Jogging became a regular evening activity. Biking had a stronger presence in our schedules.

Our racing fully bloomed on July 4, 2013 with Gavin and Brody’s participation in the Firecracker Kids Tri! Mom and Dad were unprepared to prepare us, but we all adjusted to our ignorant hiccups. Gavin and Brody finished and loved it!

In the summer of 2014, Brody continued bike training to earn a trip to the ice cream shop as well. Gavin grew stronger and more serious about his performance. He purchased his first bike to help improve his biking time. In addition to competing in the Firecracker Kids Tri, Gavin and Brody competed in a few more races that summer. Dad is not a racer, but he is the mind behind the mission! He found races, loaded the bikes, helped pack bags, assisted in setting up the transition areas, and is the steady support that keeps the racing going.

Chase’s first race was the Firecracker Kids Tri in 2015. For the next two summers we enjoyed each experience! The boys competed in multiple kids triathlons throughout New England. Since Mom was our trainer and coach, we encouraged Mom to compete in a triathlon as well. She was very apprehensive due to her lack of swimming skills and ability. However, she competed with Gavin and Brody in The Circle Triathlon in September of 2016. Although her performance was not amazing, she loved it… and wanted more! She knew she could handle sprint distance bike and run courses, but the swim was her biggest challenge. During the winter of 2017, she began researching duathlons. Mom knew she could compete! She planned to compete in several duathlons during the summer of 2017. We also planned for the boys to participate in kids’ triathlons that summer. In May of 2017, Mom was knocked down by a van while walking, and the van driver stopped his van on her left foot. Her foot was crushed; her ankle was shattered… along with our plans and dreams for racing together as a family. Mom’s surgeon told her she could NEVER run again. The boys lost their trainer that summer and were only able to compete in one race, Friends of Aine Kid’s Try-athlon in Bedford, NH.

In 2018, we were still navigating our lives as a family. The boys raced, but not as frequently. Training for races that consisted of longer distances was nearly impossible. They were too young to perform run training on their own. Gavin was growing stronger and still wanted to race. These changes created a shift in our racing regime. In 2019, 13 year old Gavin competed in his first adult duathlon and placed third in the men’s division. Neither Brody nor Chase felt ready to compete at this level. Gavin thoroughly enjoyed this racing style, competed in two additional duathlons that season, and was old enough to begin his own run and bike training. When the season closed, Gavin was nationally ranked fourth for his age group.

Obviously, Covid-19 destroyed everybody’s 2020 racing season. This provided opportunities for Gavin, Brody, and Chase to compete in virtual races. We appreciated this flexibility and opportunity to continue competing. Mom was even able to compete in a virtual race using her elliptical! One organization coordinated a “Covid safe” race, Live Free or Tri in Freedom, NH. Gavin completed this race during intense rain while Dad worked on the bike course.

The spring of 2021 opened up new experiences! Explore our page to learn about us and our races!