Riding with the Bookwalters

Earlier this year I started a bike club at Thompson's school to expose students to cycling and mountain biking by providing opportunities for participants of all biking levels to develop their skills.  Our primary goal is to have fun!  It is also a great way to talk about enjoying the outdoors, living a healthy lifestyle and finding an activity you love doing.

Yesterday we were honored to have two special guests join us - pro cyclists Brent Bookwalter and his wife Jamie Dinkins Bookwalter.  Brent rides for BMC and has recently returned from completing July's 21-stage Tour de France.  His wife Jamie rides for the Colavita/fine cooking women's team.  It goes without saying that the kids (and parents too!) had a great time.  (And I'm sure it comes as no surprise that both Thompson and William had a lot to share.)  We were all humbled in their taking a couple hours out of their busy schedules to invest in these young cyclists.  While I don't twitter [yet], Brent's website highlighted his most recent tweet: "Inspirational bike ride with kids from Avery Creek Elementary yesterday.  Riding in its purest form, exhilarating FUN"

As a bonus, the local paper the Asheville Citizen-Times came out to catch up with the Bookwalters and our ACES Bike Club got a "shout out" as well!

http://www.citizen-times.com/VideoNetwork/2591471590001/Pro-cyclists-call-Asheville-home&odyssey=mod%7Cvideo%7C%7Cumbrella