How I got my daughter to mountain-bike



Josie, Peyton and Ellie on Ewoke Trail, Mt.

For a long time I have been trying to find experiences that I know will be successful for my daughter with biking. Why you say? Don't your kids just love biking already you say?  Well, no. Ellie has not been totally psyched about biking, in fact it has been like pulling teeth and using bribes to be honest..........until this past week!
A couple of factors have shifted Ellies "head strong" beliefs on biking.

1. We bought her a really sweet bike - Not on sale either. She picked it out according to the paint job of course. (Purple and green) Going to all the bike shops in Msla and giving her the power to choose was huge for her. As a second child she often gets the hand-me-downs from big brother, not this time!

2. We rallied some other parents to get their girls biking too. This involved not much coaxing at all, in fact once I started shuttling them repeated on the "Ewok Trail" up the Rattlesnake, the girls got a ton of confidence and the momentum snowballed into bike camp.

3.Bike Camp at Marshall Mnt was a major success. This week led up the Missoula XC race that hosted 70 cross-country mountain bike Pros. Ellie worked with coach Lindsey Campell  and even some the Pros came to help with camp (Sam Schultz was one!) They did a great job giving the kids obstacles at their level that provided just enough challenge.

4. Ellie was featured twice with the Missoulian for Biking.... in an outdoor sports piece about the camp, and a video as well. Missoulian Bike Camp Article.
Missoulian newspaper article.

5. Ellie took second at her first mnt-bike race at Missoula XC race. (against the boys too). Huge confidence builder! This race was right before the Men's Pro race, so all of Missoula was in attendance to cheer for the kids. I like how all the kids got free Big dipper ice creme immediately after the race too.

6. Ellie and her friend Payton got sponsored by the Bike Doctor in Missoula. This bike shop has always been a massive support to Alex with FreeRide, and Marlana the co-owner was interested in seeing a presence of girls cycling too. She offered a scholarship for MFC Free Ride camp to encourage girls on bikes which Ellie is super duper excited to tell EVERYONE that she is sponsored by the Bike Doc. Very cool .Bike Doctor facebook page

7. MCF - This week she will be coached by Cris Winner at Missoula Free Ride Camp. Time to learn how to jump! This is a skill all riders should know. Simply tricks like bunny hop too crossing a gap will be fun to learn. Missoula Free Ride facebook page
As a result, all this effort and push has made a huge impact on Ellie with cycling. I am excited to watch her confidence build and garner some serious self esteem. It takes a village to race a little budding cyclist!

CHA- CHING!!!!

Peyton, Josie and ELlie taking a break at Bike Camp.

Girls with Coach Lindsy Campbell at Marshall Mountain wednesday night XC series.



Pro Women rider for Kenda helping with kids bike camp up Rattlesnake..

Missoula Pro Racer Sam Schultz helped coach the camp on the final day....SO RAD!!!!

 National Mnt Bike Race

They rode for Tanner Olson. Our little buddy that died tragically in car accident in July.

We are raising $$$$ in his honor for a bike Park that is in need for Missoula.

We Ride for Tanner facebook page.

I Ride For Tanner!

After the Mens Pro cross-country race - Sam Schultz wins and the Missoula shows the 70 other Pro Riders why we love our hometown champ.

Ellie with fresh blood at the Bike Doc with a "Chain Bite" - no worries.

Ellie going big on "Trick Jump" at the Gravel Pit, Missoula.

Payton and Ellie with Coach Cris Winner at Missoula Free Ride Camp!

Moving the Family back to the US

No fun!
That is the best way to describe moving. However, when moving a family abroad the better word is.....insane.
Seriously, I wish that I could click my heels and be like Dorthy.
Why?
John went to Finland to make $$$ for our summer living expenses two weeks before the move back the the US, so I had clean the house, sell our stuff and compress all our baggage to 50 pounds each suitcase. The kids gave up shoes and clothes to bring back "Tim Tams" cookies Link to "How to eat Tim Tam's"

Also, the kids had big send-offs with their schools. Alex was surprised by it all - he was mentally ready to leave and get back to his buddies in Missoula to bike.
Ellie was different, she didn't want to miss any school and was at The Chin's house constantly. The last day of school was a lot of 11yr old girls crying all day in class - they even walked her home sobbing. I think that Ellie was emotionally drained when we finally got on the plane.

We also had a Pot Luck good-bye with our NZ connections. The kids good friends came and it was bitter sweet. We will really miss everyone....

Packing Chaos

Our Neighbors were a HUGE help.
Kate let me use her car anytime that I needed it and we both got out on some great adventures before I left.
 Yo fed us good as well. Mmmmmm dumplings!!!
 We sorta lived next door through the process of leaving, probably because their house was refuge, but also because we love The Chins.  

 Anna, Ellie, Kellie and Mama Kate Chin




No Car - luckily winter in Dunedin was really mild. We had no problems biking to do our errands and play.

Girls showing our fave NZ treats!

Tim Tams and Hokey Pokey icecreme.

Chilling at the Chins!

Warm fire from our "Pyro_Mom" - Kate! Alex and Yo watching Bike Videos on YouTube.

 Packed up for the plane - Had to order Van with trailer for 5 suitcases, two bike boxes, 3 carry-ons, and 3 backpacks. I also sewed everyone a giant "neck-pillow" for the planes.
My attempts at sewing were H.I.L.A.R.O.U.S!

Saying Good Bye......

Beginning 30 hours of Plane travel from New Zealand to US.Boredom........

Many days of airport travel.

We were lucky to make it out of Dunedin because the South Island had Volcanic Ash from Chille in the atmosphere. News about Volcano Ash Link

We flew north too Aukland, then another flight (12hours) to LA.

From LA we barely made our connection even with a pass to rush through Customs.

(I scrubbed the New Zealand dirt and clay off  my bike for nothing!)

Then we enjoyed an awful 9 hour delay in San Francisco.

After that joy, we flew to Spokane and arrived at 3am.

YUCK!

My amazing mom and aunt Donna picked us up at 3am.  

 We all collectively collapsed in Idaho.

It was great to have the women of my family take care of me and the kids.

Aunt Donna made yummy Mexican food (something we missed in NZ) and took us on an awesome hike to help adjust to the time zone and hemisphere change.

 It is great to come from winter to summer I might add!

WE LOVE NEW ZEALAND!

Thanks for a great family experience!

10 months of fun and adventure!