The day before I left for Georgia to ride with George Hincapie, I was out for a quick ride and just happened to meet this girl who was riding a BMX track in her yard. We said hi to each other, but as I passed her, I watched her over my shoulder, and I thought, Holy Smoke, that girl is fast and strong–and smooth. I think it was the way she pedaled so easily, caught speed so quickly, and swooped around her tight turns with handling ease. This is Stevie.
She’s got a bright smile and a competitive spirit. Just to give you a clue, somebody gave her this headband:
And that’s what she does.
Tonight, I rode my bike to the BMX track off Industrial Blvd. to watch the races. Her headband was accurate.
I have a few other friends who race BMX, so now that I met Stevie, I wanted to watch a whole race. It was a blast, and everybody there racing was having a great time. Stevie won all her heats/races/motos. She deserves this headband.
So anyway, the day I met her, we talked for a bit. Part of my desire to meet her (Besides just that I like knowing other females who love to bike) is that I’d really love to write a novel containing a main character or two who race BMX. I have one story started with younger BMX racers, but I think a young adult novel about a BMX racer would be a great idea. I love the idea of a girl who’s strong and an athlete–like both Sadie and Allie in Chasing AllieCat.
Tonight, at the race, I talked with my friends the Austins, and with Mike Spiess, and Charlie from Scheels who was there as support, and met a bunch of people including some of Stevie’s family. I also met this young man–named Jameson.
We were talking about bike shops since I was wearing my Nicollet Bike jersey. A-1 Bike Shop came up, and Jameson said, “We just read a book with A-1 Bike in it. Chasing AllieCat.” I said, “I wrote that.” He was thrilled, and so was I! That was pretty much fun. (Stevie and I had also talked about that the day I met her. She’s also read Chasing AllieCat and really liked it).
I tell you, these two kids–and their brothers who also race–made my day. I’m so happy to get to be friends with them!
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