Canada Eh? UCI WORLDS

[Ashley Topham]

So We headed out of Utah with a nice start. Its actually pretty fun to not have to be in such a hurry to get to a national. But my dad and Mike argued about ABA vs. NBL almost the whole way or other BMX stuff. The hardest thing about the trip so far is trying to keep up with the Kelleys and to get mike to relax and enjoy the trip so far. But so far he's doing pretty good he got a new phone so thats been keeping him occupied. Another thing is trying to get them out of bed. lol.

But Im going to write stuff about the trip and the National on here everyday and post pictures i take every night. So hope you Enjoy.!!!


Ashley

[J Gallo]

Ash,

As I know you know, and you know that I know...


You ROCK!

Can't wait for more updates! Call if you need any help with pics or anything! (801)598-7176

[Curtis Newkirk]

Ashley,

Thanks for keeping us updated. I will look forward to your reports.

So your dad and Mike argued ABA vs. NBL all the way up? Really? LOL.

You guys will have a great time. Have fun at the Worlds. They have over 1500 riders signed up.

Curtis

[sspencer]

I have been up in Whistler BC since Wednesday and will be heading over to Victoria for the Worlds on Saturday so I will miss the 20" challenge races. It has been raining like crazy here all week but the forecast looks good for next weekend.

I will look for the Utards when I get get in.

GO UTAH!!!
Steve

[Ashley Topham]

Well yesterday was pretty good we left Boise and Headed for Seattle. And the first thing went I went down to get breakfast Mike and my dad were argueing about ABA vs. NBL like they always do. The weather here sucks in Washington But we looked at the forecast and Wednesday looks great so practice for all USA riders sould go well on that day.

Well Yesterday we got mike to pull over and take a break with out stopping to get gas which was a first for Pam. Me, Pam, and Cody all went to a Walmart to ger Harry Potter 7 and its actually a reall good book so far. We got to watch People catch crab out on a pier when we went to dinner. We have about an hour drive to the farrie that we are taking and that will take 3 hours. Its a ferrie that goes around the Islands. We will probably see some whales, and otters.

Tomorrow we will take pictures and downlad them of the track and our USA jerseys. I will also post pictures I take on the Ferrie.


Ashley

[mackdaddy]

Good to hear there are others finally up here in Canada with us! Tiff and I left on Fri and had a great time heading this way!
We landed in Seattle on Fri in Mukilteo Wa and a very Nice hotel looking out onto the sound! The views from our windows in our room were awesome and breath taking!

We had a pier from the hotel that alot of folks were fishing off of! One guy caught a baby shark right from the pier!

We loaded the Ferry the next morning and headed out to Victoria! What an awesome ride. We got to see a Killer Whale mom and her baby right in front of the Ferry!

Today we went to Buechart Gardens and Tiff loved it! The weather is nice in the mornings but starts drizzling in the afternoon.
I am sending Gallo some pics tonight so he can post em for me![/img]

[Ashley Topham]

Today we woke up to find that the weather was depressing cold and raining. We left our Hotel at started heading for the Ferry Port. When we got there the Ropelato's were the first in line and we were about 3rd in our line. We had got there about 2 hours early. Mitch and Cody went looking for Seashells off the shore. While Me, my dad and Pam went to go get something to eat. Mike, Tam, Jessie, and Kerry and his parents stayed back at the cars an talked to some other BMX people. It wasnt that bad being there that long either.

Soon the ferry came and we loaded on. Being on the ferry for 3 hours isnt quite that bad. Cold and raining but was pretty cool. We saw many cool houses. a teepee, and differnt islands. Me and Pam saw a jellyfish, deer, many seagulls, and this plant that looked like a turnip growing out of the water that turned out to be sea weed. So i got some okay pics that i will post when i get a chance. But no we didnt see any Seals (although some of the others did) and no whales.

So far here in Canada where we are staying it has been raining, food is expensive, and the hotel we are staying at is small. Jason Melton said when they got here they walked into there room an it was like being in a closet with a bed. But oh well. Mike met this girl from africa who is World one for her age group and only races 3 times in her country a year.


but so far great trip ill post more later.

[J Gallo]

Here are the pics I got from Melton!

[JasonStout]

Victoria is beautiful! It's been 5 years since I've been there- but I'll never forget it's beauty!

Good luck to all you guys racing up there! Keep the reports and the pics coming!

JS

[Ashley Topham]

So Today we woke up. Went to see the track.. well what we could see of it. they have a fence blocking it off so you cant really see anything or much of it. We also went to a butterfly garden an that was pretty cool. I got some cool pictures of plants birds and butterflys. then went to the Hotel for a bit. and then went to the Harbor Hotel to get our USA jerseys and our packets they give you. And then We went to dinner. So today was a pretty relaxing day. Only rained once that I know of. Got pretty warm. BUt still chilly outside.




Here are some of the pictures ive been taking.


http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59432.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59446.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59454.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59460.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59461.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59490.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59507.JPG this butterfly landed on Pams camera

http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59523.JPG this is a moth that lives only for 3-5 days and takes 5 years to come out of the cacoon
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59540.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59562.JPG this bird liked pecking at people's shoes
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59568.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59571.JPG
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59581.JPG this bird was pretty cool
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/DSCN3501.JPG Harbor Hotel is the main Hotel for Team USA
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/DSCN3510.JPG Utah's Team USA

http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/DSCN3506.JPG

http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59606.JPG front of USA jersey
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59607.JPG back of USA jersey
http://www.utahbmx.com/ash/SUC59608.JPG side of Jersey

[mackdaddy]

Today is the first day of practice for Team USA. We practice at 1:30pm local time. Should be a great time.

[mackdaddy]

Wow!!! What a great time. I will post up somemore comments about today ina bit. We have a mandatory team meeting in an hour so we are off again. Will post up stuff in a bit when I get back.

[mackdaddy]

We had agreat day of Practice today. Its very interesting how they run things here. First off is the bike security. We all have wristbands that have matching bar codes that have to match the bar codes on our bike bands. If not your not going out with the bikes. they scan you in and out. Quite cool!

We practice by countries and with USA the 2nd biggest country we have our own practice. The jumps are VERY Very big and DEEP.
I am very tired tonight but we get a day off tomorrow. They are running 14 and under Challenge classes (amateur). The big boys race on Fri. One thing the younger riders parents are having a problem with is the team/ rider area are off limits to all but the riders and their bikes so alot of parents are freaked out about getting little ones into the gate and to their motos on time. There are several Asst team managers that are going to help get the little ones to the right gates and motos. The asst managers have a crazy big job ahead of them! Also they are ttelling us just 1/2 hr between our races. This means they are runnning the races fast. We race all 20 inch races on Thurs for the 14 and under, and Fri for 15 and over. Cruiser races will be on Sun. The pros race on Sat. Also there are very stringent rules on gloves, helmets on and buckled and we all have to have socks over our ankles ! No skin showing is the buzz word!
Here is another link to a slide show of some pics of practice and team USA.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/07bmxworlds/pool/show/

Also I emailed Gallo some more pics to post

[mackdaddy]

Oh yeah everything here is pricey. Milk is $5+ per gallon and cereal was $5.75 a box. I had to fuel today and needed a 1/22 tank of gas. That cost me $61 for 53 liters of fuel. bout 13 gallons or so

[Ashley Topham]

Just like Jason said. Every thing is pricey. hamburger is like 10 bucks... it sucks. But practice was pretty good. Security is kinda tight but Jason already told you everything pretty much