For JJ's birthday he wanted to do a bike race down at Council Bluff Lake. I thought that was a fun idea. We would usually do something as a family to celebrate and having it be something he loves to do made sense. He decided to do the 26 mile race. He is doing the BT Epic 50 mile race in a few weeks so this would be a good warm up. We thought about camping down there but didn't like the idea of how busy the campgrounds would probably be. We decided to get an early start and drive down that morning. The race started at 10 and it was a 2 hour drive. We got there just in time for JJ to pick up his tag and everything at registration. We got a parking spot and JJ got everything ready in his pack to head up to the start line. They went over the course a little bit and then they all lined up and started. We watched them loop around the field and head into the woods. We wouldn't see JJ again until he finished his first lap, he would be doing 2 laps. We went to the car and got chairs and things to keep busy. JJ said it would take him about a hour to finish the first lap. We set up out chairs under some tree's and had some snacks, read books, played in the dirt and hung out. Garrett found a lizard and caught it. Poor lizard was so scared, the boys held it for a while and finally let it loose. Around the 1 hour mark we went to the spot where they would come up out of the woods and started to watch for JJ. He came up a little over a hour and stopped for a little snack and said hello. He said it was a hard trail but he was having fun. Several racers had gotten flat tires and had to stop the race. I was glad so far JJ was having a good race and everything was going well for him. After a little break he headed around the field and down the road for his second lap. We went back to our chairs and hung out a little more. We were thankful for a beautiful day, it was warm and sunny and enjoyable to sit outside. The leaves are just starting to change colors. We had more snacks and a little after noon they had pizza's for everyone to enjoy. We went and got some pizza and had some for lunch. We had packed a lunch and a cooler full of food not realizing all the food they would have there for us. After our lunch we went back to keep a look out for JJ coming out of the woods again. The race coordinator had chatted with us a few times while we were sitting there. He said to add 15 minutes to the second lap. He was about right. We were excited to see JJ come up the hill out of the woods and do his lap around the field to the finish line. He was exhausted! He said the trail beat him up, it was tough but fun! He had a great ride and was proud of his time. He did some stretching and rested in the shade with us. He got some pizza and snacks. We then went down to the van and he was able to rinse off the best he could at the water area by our van. We drove down to the lake and we were hoping the day beach would be open but it closed labor day weekend. We went to the boat launch area and walked out on the trail for a little bit. There is an area where there are some rocks that you can go out on but there were people already there fishing. We went back and sat in the shade by the boat ramp. The boys took their shoes off and waded in the water for a little bit. We went back to the race area for awards and Kona Ice that was coming later. we had more pizza and chips. The kids were so excited to get Kona Ice! It was free and they each had 2, what a treat. We hung out for a little while and enjoyed the atmosphere. When we had had all the snacks we wanted we decided it was a good time to head home. It was a fun day and we are proud of JJ for a good race. I am glad everything went well for him, his bike worked well and no flat tires. Most importantly I am glad he didn't get injured. I always worry about him riding and know he has so much fun but I want him to be careful. We had a fun day cheering him on and I know that meant a lot to him.
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