Here are some more photos from the recent ABA BMX Racing National event Soul BMX Racing competed in.

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Here are some pictures from the ABA Empire State Nationals Pre-Race Friday.

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Haven’t been posting to the blog recently. Things have been busy, and I always remember when I am calling it a night. Got to get into a regular blogging routine again. Of course, I am always twittering http://www.twitter.com/regbertrand

BMX Racing is been busy to start the year. This year we hosted for the first time at Ottawa BMX a Pro Clinic. Nick Goertzen ABA #1 ‘A’ Pro held a two day clinic.

Currently, we are down in Horseheads NY at the Empire State Nationals. This is the first time we have been to a National Series race for the ABA.

I have also started a course that should last 4-10 weeks, since it is correspondence there is just a minimum timeframe of 2 weeks and max of 10 weeks. I plan on doing it in about 5 weeks. It is a business course on becoming a licensed mortgage broker. I have been doing the modules at night.

I am going to be launching a website in the near future for the business and some other social media elements. I have a draft of how I want to have everything connected and flowing together from Twitter, Facebook, websites, email etc. it is in a mind dump in my moleskin.

The last couple of weeks has been busy getting ready for the 2009 BMX Season. Six nights of labor at the track getting it ready.

The track needed some work, especially the 4th corner. Had to get some drainage channels to remove the lake that had accumulated. Then I built up the start of the berm to get a better grade into the corner.

We still have a battle with weeds….looking at trying to get a lawn care company to partner with us. Offering some signage in return. That would cut down on club volunteer time and effort.

I am also pursuing getting the City to expand our existing site. This will give the track more options possibly rebuilding the track in 2010.

New in 2009 was an info pack to all the riders informing them about the new events in 2009: Redline Cup Qualifier, Pro Clinic, Club Challenage, Monthly Plate Challenage. The BMX’ers really liked getting this package.

There is also going to be a white board for tasks needed to be accomplished at every event. Once a BMX’er signs in the next step, check the board and sign-up for a task.

The track is in very good riding shape to start the year. I may change one or two obstacles half way through the year. That is dependant on the cash flow through the club.

Saturday is the first race.

Lately I have not been in a regular blog rhythm…some of that can be attributed to Twitter, I use Twitter a lot more and short posts that may have been done on the blog are now on Twitter.  So if you read this blog and are not following me on Twitter, check it out and subscribe to my Twitter feed.

Here is a quick list of things that have been going on. in my life. Blogging has be slower lately, which is odd because I am on the laptop so much. I am going to try to give a recap post for each of the following this week; hopefully that will get me into a regular rhythm again.

1. Cornwall - The past few weekends we have been going down to Cornwall preaching in the services there.  This past weekend, the kids were away, so my wife and I went down on Saturday night and stayed over in Massena, NY.
2. Adoption Training - Each Wednesday evening and this past Saturday (all-day) we have been going through the PRIDE adoption training.  We have also had homework after each session to complete….some weeks it is more then others.
3. Adoption Meetings with Case Worker - We had a couple meetings with our case worker, one being with interviews with our children.
4. Catalyst - The weekends that we are not down in Cornwall, Catalyst is held.
5. BMX Season Wrap-Up - We have completed the BMX Season, and I am wrapping up the loose ends and preparing for the AGM at the end of September.

Tags: Cornwall, Adoption training, PRIDE, Catalyst, BMX, Massena NY

On the way back from NYC last weekend we had small detour to make by Scranton.

Here is how it started, my son wanted to buy a BMX Cruiser bike (24″ wheels) to be able to race in the same class as me on Tuesday nights. There are no other younger Cruiser riders, so he gets bumped into our class. He is 10, but he thought it would be neat. So, I found an “old school” BMX Cruiser down in Pennsylvania. I figured on the way back from NYC, we could pick it up. A few emails later I found out that the person would be working on Monday and they didn’t live as close to our planned road trip route, but a little further south in Wilkes-Barre. I told him to call me on Sunday or Monday so we could work something out, maybe he could leave it with someone else from the PA track and we could pick it up from them. Never heard back.

So, as we are travelling up the 84 to 380 into Scranton, I figure I should try to phone 411, and get his number and pick up the bike. I knew my son, he had saved his cash and really wanted to get this bike. I pulled off the interstate on a side road. Grabed my laptop from the trunk and got his name. Called 411, 411 doesn’t have any listing for my contact. I noticed that I have a WIFI connection. The local Holiday Inn is in range, barely…so I connected and searched some online 411 site, and searched Wilkes-Barre Metro area for everyone with the same last name. Didn’t get my contact, there was only one but in another town, checked Mapquest it was close to Wilkes-Barre. It was a unique last name, not a Smith or anything, so I figured maybe they are related. So I called. The lady answers the phone, and I tell her I am looking to buy a BMX bike from someone named William. She replies, “that’s my son, here is his cell phone number.” So, I call him, he is completely surprised I got his cell number and wonders how I did this, with a little chuckle. I told him it was a long story. I got directions to his house, and we started heading 30 minutes south from where we were located on this side road. Picked up the bike, got it for $20 less then he was asking. Strapped the bike on the bike rack, got in the car. Told my Dad, the things parents do for there kids, he laughed.

So, my son was very excited to see the bike when we picked the kids up in Gananoque. The next night on Tuesday, we raced against each other. He beat me once, I lost my balance on my bike, he almost took first in that moto. Overall, I took second and he placed third (3 races, combines finishes). It was fun, he had a blast racing me.

This past weekend we were away in New York and Pennsylvania for BMX Races. There were two races on Saturday and one on Sunday. The results are posted on the Soul BMX Racing website (soulbmxracing.wordpress.com). As mentioned before on this site, Soul BMX Racing is not only going to the track and racing. We also have small group meetings at the track, and I am pursuing some Chaplin training.

This weekend we posted some posters to promote our small goup meeting on Sunday before the races. This is a new thing for us this year in doing these meetings at the track. It is likely a new thing for the local tracks as well. I noticed there were some people reading the flyers that we posted. We did not have any new people that came, but we did have our meeting and the topic was about chasing after the God-ordained opportunities. I related some of the topic to BMX racing, every track is a series of obstacles that a racer must over come to get to the finish line, just as life has different obstacles.

I was talking with a man later on about what we are doing with Soul BMX Racing, he was telling me he thought what we were doing was a good idea. He was also a Christian man and was saying that there was not much at the tracks he had been too. He hadn’t thought too much about the need of a sports chaplin, but after we chatted he said it was a very good idea.

This week I am meeting with Athletes in Action about some partnering opportunities, they are very interested to hear about Soul BMX Racing.

On the recommendation of my pastor, I picked up the book, “The Unusual Suspect” by Stephen Baldwin. After talking to him about the Christian BMX team I was starting, Soul BMX Racing…he said this would be a good read. Looking forward to cracking it open, after I finish Barack Obama’s book “The Audacity of Hope”.

Wow,  I checked my blog and realized that I haven’t been blogging here much lately. Here are some reason why:

• Got a pool installed, and they don’t install the security fence on the perimeter of the pool.  I had to do that myself. I also have to put all the dirt back around the side of the pool that they had to remove to make the pool flat on the backyard. 
• BMX season underway.  I have been working at getting the Soul BMX Racing website created, built it on Wordpress. (http://soulbmxracing.wordpress.com). I have been working at different aspects to get this team setup.  We just received the logo last night, so we will be working on getting the jerseys made. This week I will try to get more of a description posted on the website about everything we are doing with this.  Tomorrow morning (Sunday) there is a race, we are going to be attending the race, however as part of Soul BMX Racing (since it is a Christian racing team) we will be meeting prior to the race to have a meeting at the track.  We will be talking more about what and why we are part of Soul BMX racing.

Tags: BMXRacing, Soul BMX Racing, pool, installation

I have started putting together the Soul BMX Racing website.  I have built it using Wordpress.com.

http://soulbmxracing.wordpress.com/

I do not have all the information about the team written and posted yet, but I have started posting race results, slideshows etc.

I have also received a first draft of the logo for the team, but have requested some changes. 

Tags: BMX, BMX Racing, Soul BMX Racing, BMX Racing Team, website, Wordpress

This past weekend was our opening for the Ottawa BMX 2008 season. We had a huge turnout, especially with the 6 & 7 year olds. Many new riders means lots of confusion as to what is happening.  Our computer crashed and at the last minute I had to yank out the rulebook to help build the motos (race) manually.  Our gate malfunctioned for 30 minutes…meaning we were behind in time…not good.  But with all that on opening day, it was great weather, the track was in great shape, and the racers had tons of fun. 

This past Tuesday night was our first regular race night…lots of returnees from the weekend.  Tuesday things ran a lot smoother, the computer and gate worked, staging was better.  Again, it was a fun time for everyone.  It was a late night though because we are still getting everyone used to being in the right place to race; staging.  We are going to speed that up by having two motos on the track at once.  That will create a lots of continuous action.

I am in charge of the race events this year again, and we are building each event up so that it it runs smoothly, and each rider and family have a great time at the track.  Creates work, but it is pretty fun.  Looking at some new things for this year and improving on some old things. 

In two weeks we have our first annual charity event.  We are raising funds for the CHEO Foundation.

I am creating a BMX Team - Soul BMX Racing, it will have 3 riders, my 3 kids. I will post more about that venture as we form it.  Currently, I am getting a logo designed for the team.  It is being designed by a former member of our church’s youth group.  He does amazing work.  I should have first draft by next Wednesday.  There is more to the team then just racing, I will explain that on the teams website once I have it up and running.

Tags: BMX, BMX Ottawa, CHEO Foundation, Soul BMX Racing

One of the new races this year on the schedule for Ottawa BMX is an event called, "Race for Life".  We have partnered with the CHEO Foundation in Ottawa (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) to raise the funds for.  This event is one that falls into my responsibility as I am the VP of Racing for the Ottawa BMX Assoc this year. I plan on making this not just a fundraiser but a top notch event to remember for our club, racers, CHEO, and the community.  Big task, but it is going to be a blast. 

We are working on some of the design elements with the ABA right now….but stayed tuned over the next few months, as I will update as more information becomes finalized.

Here is a short list of highlights of my 2007 (no particular order):

a. Bought a new house in Rockland, Ontario.
b. My wife had successful foot surgery and started a new diet plan that has helped her a lot.
c. My father had successful surgery, had a non-cancerous growth removed. It was not looking good for a while before the surgery.
d. Started a new project in Rockland, called Radiant Village.
e. Catalyst sessions on Sunday morning @ Calvary Church.
f. My wife and I started discussions on something that will be huge in 2008 and beyond. Will share more as time goes by.
g. Started to live Greener.
h. Thanksgiving in New York City.
i. BMX year was a blast, all three kids riding this year, had some trips to other cities and tracks.

2008 is looking to be a great year.

My father and I took the 3 kids down to Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania on Saturday for another ABA BMX race. The race was a double points, Halloween race. Track was decorated, there were fun games, and the trophies were Halloween themed.

The track was in an amazing location. The scenery was great, especially as the leaves are starting to change color. It made for a real nice drive to the track.

The racing was really good, my kids had a blast. My daughter raced for the first time on a track other then the Ottawa track. She was real nervous, but had tons of fun.

I think next summer we might take a week’s vacation in the area, the location is that good. It is right around Scranton, PA.

Last night we were at our new house, ripping carpet, pulling down the drop ceiling in the basement.  Then today, we cleaned the whole house top to bottom, the house smells like a Pine-Sol big time. It has been a very tiring two days.  However, we had lots of help from our family members, my parents, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law and his wife. 

We also met with the painter, he is starting Monday and will be in there for 5 days giving the walls, and ceiling a nice fresh coat of paint.

There hasn’t been much time for anything else these last couple of days.  Catalyst is tomorrow, we will be continuing the discussion for the "God is Green" series. Hopefully, I wake up.

I also got a note about the ABA BMX Canadian Grand Nationals to possibly go to British Columbia and meet with some officials there, but with the move next weekend, I am not too sure if I can swing it…..the Grands are the same weekend.  But that would be amazing, I used to live in the town there are being held in, and have not been there in approx 20 years. (has it been that long).

Tags: Pine_Sol, Rockland, ABA_Grand_Nationals, Catayst, God_Is_Green

This past weekend, Ottawa BMX held the ABA Ontario Provincial Championship Series Final. This was the closing weekend for the local club. The BMX  year took a turn for the better in August when we made the switch from the OCA Organization to the ABA Organization.

The level of organization, support, professionalism, that the ABA offers each and every local club is just tremendous. We had multiple meetings with the Canadian New Track Development Director - John David this weekend after each race. The material, information and coaching that John David gave to the executive team has been just what the local club needed.  2008’s prospects look to be very exciting for the riders through the ABA program.

The picture in this post is one of the many volunteers that helped out with the local club in various aspects this year. My wife and I are amongst everyone, I am in the front row with the brown hat, she has the black shirt and brown skirt on in the back row.

One of the things that you find when you participate in a club such as BMX is the community that forms with those that volunteer to make a sport like BMX successful.  Even though ABA is a massive organization, it is still for the grassroots of BMX, the local club, the local track, and all the riders from 4 years old to 44+ years old.  As we participated on the Executive this year, we have come to know others on the Executive more, then if we were just a spectator sitting in our camping chairs.

There has been many different things that we have seen, as community develops, and we have come to know more of our friends. Example, one of the single dads at the track has a 4 year old that comes out that has had 4 heart surgeries already.

We have had some times of personal connection while we were having meetings, and sharing a bite to eat over some pizza.  Getting to know each other other then just hauling the generator around the track.  My wife and I were able to share about our faith to some others, and answer a few questions here and there.  I got ask others a bit of their history, where they have lived etc, not just executive team members, but other riders etc.

All in all 2007 has been a great year and I am glad I decided to be involved more then I was last year when we were new to the club. 2008 will set new goals and challenges, as we grow the club and the sport in Ottawa.

I think if you are a small group leader, with all the teaching I have done in the past and you are reading this, you can see the relations to those sessions.

Tags: bmx, bmx_racing, ABA, community, Ottawa, volunteers

This past Saturday, the boys went to the UCI International BMX race in Kingston Ontario. On Friday night they had their practice session.

After their session was completed, the pros took the course. They had a chance to get a picture taken with Pro BMX rider Randy Stumpfhauser. Randy is one of the nest riders on the pro circuit riding for GT. Randy also happens to be a Christian.

I asked Randy a couple of quick questions during the practice session after taking these quick shots. He said one of the hardest parts of being a pro rider is being away from his family. He also said, that as a Christian he feels what he is doing on the pro circuit is what a Christian should do, livin it. Livin it, amongst his friends as a follow of Christ.

On Saturday in the men’s final unfortunately, Randy crashed on the first corner (track was slick from some rain), and a few riders went done. He did get up and finish the race. This race was the first race that Olympic points were on the line.

Tags: Randy_Stumpfhauser, BMX, UCI, Olympics, BMX_Racing, Kingston

This past Saturday, the boys went to the UCI International BMX race in Kingston Ontario. On Friday night they had their practice session.

After their session was completed, the pros took the course. They had a chance to get a picture taken with Pro BMX rider Randy Stumpfhauser. Randy is one of the nest riders on the pro circuit riding for GT. Randy also happens to be a Christian.

I asked Randy a couple of quick questions during the practice session after taking these quick shots. He said one of the hardest parts of being a pro rider is being away from his family. He also said, that as a Christian he feels what he is doing on the pro circuit is what a Christian should do, livin it. Livin it, amongst his friends as a follow of Christ.

On Saturday in the men’s final unfortunately, Randy crashed on the first corner (track was slick from some rain), and a few riders went done. He did get up and finish the race. This race was the first race that Olympic points were on the line.

Both of the boys took home the bronze medal in their respective races.

Tags: Randy_Stumpfhauser, BMX, UCI, Olympics, BMX_Racing, Kingston

This was one of those busier then normal weeks, but we had an unexpected break this evening.

a. We firmed up with the house in Rockland. Financing, House Inspection, & Insurance. Now we move at the end of September. Monday was a real busy day, with the 3 hour inspection in the evening. I had a turn of events with the mortgage broker, I went out to start my car and the key would turn, after calling the dealer and trying a few things and calling a 2nd time, it was simply the steering wheel locked. I had to turn the key and wheel at the same time. I guess when you are in a hurry and busy, something simple would be a gotcha. So the mortgage broker drove over to our house to get things signed up.  (He was on the way over when I finally turned the key)

b. Contacted a Fair Trade Coffee Roaster for a possible connection with Radiant Village or something.

c. BMX Racing on Tuesday night

d. Had to bring my car to finally get car’s AC fixed on Wednesday morning. They had to order a sensor from Korea. Yes I drive a KIA. It was 10 hour job to fix and they would keep the car overnight. No courtesy car, just a drive home.

e. BMX Executive Meeting on Wednesday. No car, so I rode my bike over to the meeting.  Which was actually a nice ride. The meeting was supposed to be 2 hours and it last 3.5 hours. I got some take a ways, like contacting the Ontario Summer Games for next year. Checking into paving the corners on the track.

f. The last minute BMX clinic by Canadian Pros, Ken and Samantha Cools was to happen tonight, but it rained. So it was cancelled. This was the downtime for us tonight.

g. Friday, I drive the boys to Kingston (my daughter is only racing locally this year) for a big UCI International Race this Saturday. Lots of pro riders coming. Christian BMX’er Randy Stumpfhauser is supposed to be there.

h. Sunday, I drive them to Junior Camp. 

i. I work as well.

Somewhere in there I find time to sleep and eat.

Tags: Randy_Stumpfhauser, UCI, BMX, BMX_Racing, Rockland, KIA, Fair_Trade_Coffee, Radiant_Village

This past Tuesday morning, we had to bring the kids down to the BMX Track for a taping with the A-Channel . The weather anchor - Bill Welychka was taping a segment for the nights news and then for a "Bill’s Excellent Adventures".
Go the A-Channel link and scroll down and watch some of the episodes. (Remember Greg the Hammer Valentine, well Bill wrestles with him)

 

Bill got on a bike and raced my kids and some other local riders. Bill did a short interview with me on the BMX club for the 6pm news.  A-Channel does not post clips on the site unfortunately. The episode for the Excellent Adventure is airing on Sept 6th.  I will post a link when available. 

Tags: Bill’s_Excellent_Adventures, A-Channel, BMX, BMX_Racing, media, News, Weather_Anchor

Well the weekend was a busy one. Friday afternoon the boys and I left for Crabtree, Quebec for a UCI BMX International Race Event. There was a clinic for the riders and two practice sessions on Friday night.

We camped in the soccer field next to the track on Friday night, and it rained through the night, I didn’t think the races were going to happen, but Crabtree covers their track with tarps. So there was a two hour delay.

There is a Flickr badge of some pictures below. There were some pro riders, and the winner of the Men’s Pro event was Robert De Wilde of the Netherlands.

Also, this weekend, we started the 2nd Film into the “At the Movies” series. The film was a South African film, “Tsotsi”.  While 15-20 mins and I had to stop the film, it just was not the place to show this film. I had chosen the film, from a list of Christianity Today, as it was one of 2006 most redeeming films. So, I thought this was going to fit in nicely, in between “Jesus Camp” and “An Inconvenient Truth”. I did not preview the movie before Catalyst, bad move on my part, I really should have, that
was an error on my part. 

After stopping it, we did get into a very good discussion on forgiveness and redemption. Went overtime again, and people were very open and willing to discuss.

Next week, we are going to start watching, “An Inconvenient Truth”….I think this should be safe for the setting….but I will preview it before next Sunday. After that the challenge will be the discussion sessions and some speaking sessions. Maybe I will title the series, “God is Green”…..Mars Hill is doing some of the same sort right now. 8.)

Technorati Tags: @ the Movies, BMX, BMX_Racing, Catalyst Class, Crabtree, Tsotsi

Another race weekend (Friday and Saturday) for my boys….the UCI International BMX Race in Crabtree, Quebec. This is supposed to be a real fun event. We are pitching a tent on the soccer field next to the track for overnight.

Technorati Tags: BMX_Racing, Crabtree

Lite posting this past weekend due to being away for the BMX Canadian Championships in Bromont, Quebec.  We stayed in Quebec for an extra day to go to Parc Safari. Which is a drive through Africian Safari theme park, which also has a jungle walk way and tunnels with lions and tigers on them.

The results for the weekend for my two sons were pretty good, this was their first weekend race away from the local track.  With a full 8 riders in the starting gate a track 4 times the size with much more technical difficulties, they did an amazing job of racing. Very proud of them.

Technorati Tags: BMX, BMX_Racing, BMX_Racing, National_Championships

Today we brought the two boys down to the Canadian National BMX Championships in Bromont, Quebec. Tim Horton’s is the official sponsor. There are supposed to over 300 riders here this weekend. They range from 5-45 years old, and Novice on thru Pro.

The track is amazing; paved starting hill, perfect dirt, alternate routes on the third straight away, a pro section and a section for the younger riders. This is going to be some exciting racing this weekend.

This is the first road trip for BMX racing that we have taken, especially for this level of competition.

I failed to take a picture of the track when we arrived as we had to grab the riders package, register and attend the riders meeting. I will be taking a ton tomorrow, of the track, event, my boys races, and the other Ottawa racers. My oldest son is also doing a report for the Ottawa club for the Club President.

Technorati Tags: BMX, BMX_Racing, BMX_Racing, National_Championships

I am adding some new pictures to the right sidebar….these will be grouped in sets and have a Flickr badge. The first one I have added is one on BMX racing.  I am planning a few more, feel free to browse these pictures.

Technorati Tags: BMX, BMX_Racing, pictures, flickr