Grasshopper Kids Bike Race, August 10, Cedar Grove

overbrook

overbrook

Active Member
Kids and big kids, get the pedals turning for the 9th annual Grasshopper Kid's Bike Race in the Hilltop, Saturday August 10 at the new race location along the rail trail below the new Cedar Grove Community Center on Fairview Avenue.....this is mtb racing for kids from pre-K to Grade 8 in fall 2019, future and current NICA kids and anyone who wants to give it a go are invited.....kids in Grade 9 and higher or adults who act like kids should bring a bike for a fun rip noted in post below

This should have been the 10th annual but last year's day of race monsoon basement flooding road closing cancellation pushes that back a year.....this will be a do over.....

More updates as they happen can be found on this year's hilltop grasshopper web page, graciously supported by jorba

Meanwhile the Kid's Korse is open for setting KOM's and PR's

More importantly, registration is open too, right here, Bike Reg https://www.bikereg.com/hilltop-grasshopper-kids-bike-race-9th-annual-do-over

Early registration earns schwag! All riders who are pre registered are on the list that lets them thru the velvet rope and into the freebie zone to select a bike item!

Happy trails

the grasshopper
 
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balance bike racin'

We gave that some thought and action last year as we had a balance bike company interested to help put on that specialty event (and there is a sweet paved pathway in the open park next to the kids korse, ideal for groms).....regretfully the support dried up and this organizer doesn't have the band width to run that before or during or whatever along with all the regular racing........the permission request to the county for this year's grasshopper has been submitted without a request for the balance bike event.......but.......there is nothing preventing any parents from getting together on that day with a bunch of mini rippers on their mini whips and dropping the flag on a course they designate......it would NOT be part of the grasshopper, it would totally be on parents, but it would be totally awesome too!! Check out the location in the park and you'll see potential, kids on bikes, it's all good
 
wishing happy trails, sunny skies and no mechanicals to all the racers at this weekend's final NJ NICA session at Six Mile,

massive shout out to the huge crew that makes that all happen and helps build future riders and good citizens

the grasshopper
 
Just refreshed the bike reg category descriptions to correctly show child race categories are based on grade in fall 2019!

(Guess who copied 2018 race details to the 2019 race on bike reg and overlooked an important text update, point out other confusing bits if you spot them)

As always it's ok to race up a category, I know there are some wicked fast kids out there that probably should do just that and ride an extra lap

Parents, be sure to bring a bike on race day to pre ride with the kids before 0900

the grasshopper
 
just got a bike reg note that tells me 4 racers are already signed up.....and the race is still 50+ days from now.....thanks for those registration votes of confidence

to get others off the fence, early registration earns SCHWAG! All riders who are pre registered get on the list that lets them thru the velvet rope and into the freebie zone to select a bike item! thanks to sponsors and kind benefactors

cycle craft will be on site on race day for bike inspections and neutral support and tuning and a race official will be checking helmets......but hey, get the bike dialed in way before that so your racer is super comfortable and wants to ride and practice, you know, seat at right height, tire pressure, brakes positioned/adjusted for little hands, chain adjusted and lubed......if you need help, get over to cycle craft for go fast tweaks and bits

kids on bikes, it's all good
 
thanks for the offer of help for kid's korse prep......just weed whacked sections and added yellow tape so pre ride is easy to follow.....riding the full korse a lot right up to race day is a great way to burn it in and keep it clear in the mean time and enjoy some kid bike rippin! it is super fast right now and dry so help yourself to kid trail goodness

watch this post for updates about korse prep before the race

also important to get some help on the day of the race with easy tasks like course marshal and finish line judging.....helping for a couple hours is all that's needed
 
so a bit of kid's korse tuning was done a short while ago, re-carved the short chunk that jumps off the rail trail and back on after about 200ft, added yellow tape to make sure it's obvious and otherwise blessed the location and drove out the demons, it's really fast and kid ripable

for past racers, this location is way smoother than the original, remember the rocky sections throughout the old kid's korse, good times!

for new and returning racers, get out to the kid's korse and find your fast lines and figure out your pacing, it's going to be lots of fun to race and watch and cheer
 
tick tock

kid's race day is just over a month away, help us let lots of kids know about the race

for brave adults or basically anyone in grade 9 or above, "full open class fun race" at about 1030 between the kid's events, unrestricted, pray that NICA sophomore and above kids are gentle, there's a lot who ride this area regularly for "fun"

show the grasshopper up and coming riders how much fun it still is when older riders mix it up

happy trails
 
I’m making a management decision right now, costumed riders will get a 10 second head start......dressing like a mountainbike rider is not a costume but full hockey gear or Knight in armor will for sure get a head start
 
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three lil items to help with: (in addition to the ongoing request to promote the race to all those parents and kids you know)

bit of an update, there have been additional questions/suggestions for a balance bike event and while i can't do it during the event nothin stoppin parents from taking that idea and running with it while the Grasshopper is underway, there is a nice bit of paved walkway adjacent to the kid's korse, add kids and balance bikes and go for it

volunteers always needed on race day as it is a busy day, anything from helping with onsite registration and number plate hand out to pre reg riders (my better half appreciates that help immensely) to course marshal type help and finish line judges, contact us thru our email, hilltopkidsrace@gmail.com or post here

kid's korse prep friday evening before race, 1730, help needed, simple stuff like putting up yellow tape where needed, blowing out the trail and otherwise making it look safe, clean and inviting
 
19 rippers pre registered and in line for some schwag, thanks for pre registering

race day reg is always an option, up to about 15 minutes before a class start time, see the flyer for start times, we do all we can to run on time

there will be a 1030 open class fun ride, your definition of fun may vary, this ride is likely 4 or 5 laps for anyone, costumed riders will get a 10 second head start, if NICA racers line up that head start may be inconsequential
 
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