Jackson Power

A natural on a bike . . .

Rich and Jillian have a handful of all-boy energy on their hands! Rich says his boy Jackson is like him, and they just go have fun together.

Jackson got his Strider for his 3^rd birthday back in May and has never looked back. He put his helmet on, hopped on his new Strider, and had his feet up on the pegs the first time he rode!

This dare devil goes out with his dad every day on his Strider, with Dad on his skateboard. Rich told me: “I’ve got this great video of Jackson. He had a bad crash, burned down the path, got up with a big smile, wiped himself off and said he wanted to crash into something else."

Dad Rich takes him to the nearby BMX Park regularly, and Jackson drops in on the ramps all the time.  This kid looks to be quite a competitor, with no fear and great balance, but the Qualifier event will be his first time racing. Should be interesting to watch.

Twin Power

Matthew and Christian

Watch out! Twin two 2 olds are coming to the 2011 Strider World Championships. Christian and Matthew compete with each other for 30 to 45 minutes almost every day on their Striders day, and go Mountain Biking with their dad each weekend.  

Even though they’re only 26 to 27 months, they are experienced. They’ve been Striding for 8 to 9 months. Matthew is the smaller of the two boys and the real dare devil. Fearless, he just takes off and goes. Christian has a bit more caution, but loves to race his brother. They’ve not competed with others before and will be attending the Qualifier Race on Friday. Be there to cheer them on!

Dad Christian, a dedicated mountain bike rider, was looking for a bike for the kids when they were 18 months and ran across balance bikes online. He says, “Choosing the Strider was a no-brainer. It has a great strategy because it’s small and light, and my boys could start riding at 18 months. It’s way better than a trike.”

Dad says the Striders have given him just what he wanted and they’ve never looked back. He likes to be active on his bike and finds it exhilarating to be able to share his passion for riding with his kids – at the tender age of 2.

The Russians Are Coming...

Dimitri is working on his podium smile for the upcoming World Championships

Dimitri is heading to Sarasota, Fl to hang with his Dad and to showcase his riding skills at the Strider World Championship.  Dimitri isn’t new to action sports as he has been skiing since he was 3.

His Dad said that his son has a little of the “Eye of the Tiger” when it comes to competing. And that when it is time to compete, he is all business. Dimitri and crew hail from South Dakota and he is looking forward to having a great event and having a lot of father / son time.

“We are going to hang out, make friends and have a lot of fun,” said Chad Lewis, Dimitri’s Dad. “In addition, we are looking forward to the kayaking adventure. One thing I like about these Strider events is that they are great fun for the entire family.”

Dimitri and his dad are spending the weekend together because the family is expecting a baby in the next few weeks and this might be the last time they can spend quality time together for a while.

To get your Strider rider signed up or to get into the game, click here for the championship details. 

Sarasota Strider Bike Track

The oldest continuously running BMX track in the nation, Sarasota is a favorite spot for racers around the country.  Opened in 1974, it remains one of the largest attended tracks in the state.   Sarasota has hosted many state and national races, including the 2004 President's Cup/Christmas Classic.  

In 2010 work began on the Strider-spec track with an entire team of supporters including Troy Vandergaag, Rick Harvey, Rolf Bostrom & Matt Bishop building the racing venue.  Early in 2011 Strider riders were out on the dirt testing the facilities and providing feedback to the crew. To a racer, they gave a “thumbs up” for the job.

In just a few weeks’ time, racers from across the country will converge in Sarasota for the World Championship. Click here for all the details of this event.

Building the World Championship Track

Track Completed & Quality Testing Begins

The World Championship is Just Around the Corner

The Strider World Championship is the event for the entire family. It's held in Sarasota, Fl and there is something for everyone. So get your vacation on and load up the crew set sail for Sarasota!

Captain Ron's Ocean Explorer, Sarasota

Specializing in custom offshore fishing charters, this full service guide service also offers other exciting aquatic adventures such as snorkeling, and sightseeing trips.

LeBarge Tropical Cruises

This cruise company provides sightseeing and dolphin watching cruises that are narrated by a marine biologist, as well as sunset cruises with live entertainment, special event cruises, and private charters. Reservations are suggested.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Sarasota Jungle Gardens features 10 acres of lush tropical vegetation and winding jungle trails. About 85% of the animals at Sarasota Jungle Gardens have been rescued or donated. Two entertaining, educational reptile shows are offered each day.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota are located along the South Palm Avenue. Cascades of color sprawl across approximately 10 acres of land. As you enter the gardens, you will be intrigued and impressed with the collection of flowers and plants flourishing here. Especially famous for their collection of orchids, the garden has at-least 20,000 different types of plants.

Results from the Strider World Cup USA Championships - 9/4 Louisville, KY

The Strider Cup USA Championships were a rousing success this last weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. The race was ran in conjunction with the National Bicycle League's Grand National and provided an exciting scene as the National champions were crowned.

The race was ran down the big hill into the last turn of Louisville's famous Derby City BMX track and then through a series of rollers and hills on the last straight. It was a challenge for some riders, but provided for some awesome finishes after the riders had mastered the track.
We'd love to have you add your voice to the conversation!  Go check out Strider Life and add your photos, videos and stories from your kid's experience at this year's Dakota Five-O Strider World Cup race! More Photos from the event are posted there as well.

STRIDER CUP USA CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

 

2 year olds 
[1]  Chase Miller             #333         White Lake, MI
[2]  Teegan Brown         #649         Reedsburg, WI
[3]  Collin Momper        #849          Jonesboro, GA
[4]  Lilani Pringle           #749         Archer, FL
[5]  Ryman Bain            #363          Nolensville, TN
[6]  Atreyu Campbell     #311           Lexington, KY

3 year olds

[1]  Garrett Hummel        #985           West Newton, PA
[2] Thomas Smith             #846           Pendleton, SC
[3] Payton Robinson         #297           Findlay, OH
[4] Chance Walters           #240          Marietta, GA
[5] Cullen Applegate          #347          Crittenden, KY
[6] Mike Von Rissen          #342          Cincinnati, OH
[7] Aesa Sciandra               #655          Saint Louis, MO

4&5 year olds
[1]  Tanner McFadden       #289         Owensboro, KY
[2]  Evan Kucirek               #661         Lorain, OH
[3]  Brett Mason                 #299         New Carlisle, IN
[4]  Steven Soulis                #651         Birmingham, AL
[5]  Jojo Zolikoff                 #100         Sarasota, FL
[6]  Landon Lefresne          #572         Port Charlotte, FL
[7]  Rayce Rogers               #571         Harvey, IL
[8]  Devin Miller                  #111         Sarasota, FL

Results from the Dakota Five-O Strider World Cup - 9/4 Spearfish, SD

 There were record numbers of racers for the Dakota Five-O as well as the Strider World Cup races in Spearfish on Sunday (9/4)! Nearly 700 Mountain Bike Racers hurried to the finish line over 50 miles of trail to see the nearly 70 Strider Racers tear up the World Cup course. The racing action and fun factor were high and the cow bells were clanging.

  After the Strider Racers got a feel for the course each age category started with 2 heats with the top riders moving into A Main and the others moving into B Main.  Ultimately the Strider World Cup races are about building confidence...Having Fun...and mastering Strider balance skills to prepare the next generation of Dakota Five-O Racers/Riders/Tourers!  Stride On and see you in Sarasota October 14th-16th!

  We'd love to have you add your voice to the conversation!  Go check out Strider Life and add your photos, videos and stories from your kid's experience at this year's Dakota Five-O Strider World Cup race!

2 Year Olds - A Main - September 4, 2011 - Dakota Five-O

[1]  Sander Van Cleave                #221

[2]  Spencer Orozco                    #229

[3]  Talia Hagan                           #227

[4]  Claire Reth                            #224

[5]  Leah Belmore                        #223

[6]  Max Rhoads                          #220

[7]  Cole Brumbaugh                    #228

[8]  Silas Hellton                           #222

[9]  Alex Pascoe                           #230

3 Year Olds - A Main -  September 4, 2011 - Dakota Five-O

[1]  Ronan Wheaton                       #377

[2]  William Haar                            #357

[3]  Finley Bullis                              #340

[4]  Ryder Niesent                          #338

[5]  Bridger Karn                            #343

[6]  Vince VanLiere                         #339

[7]  Sophia Lawn                            #345

[8]  Henry Hansen                          #346

[9]  Corvin Yenglin                          #341

3 Year Olds - B Main - September 4, 2011 - Dakota Five-O

[1]  Vince Vanliere                            #339

[2]  Heidi Hansen                             #359

[3]  Daniel Wold-Fortier                   #355

[4]  Moses Loftus                             #348

[5]  Bodhi Linde                               #351

[6]  Allyson Holzer                            #358

[7]  Gabriel Hunke                            #356

[8]  Hunter Gallegos                          #349

4 Year Olds - A Main - September 4, 2011 - Dakota Five-O

[1]  Jackson Morrison                        #429

[2]  Kadin Gonzales                           #441

[3]  Hunter Merchant                          #440

[4]  Lauren Peotter                             #433

[5]  Mathew Currier                           #447

[6]  Collin Unkenholz                          #445

[7]  Dalton Ferrell                               #436

[8]  Hugh Roles                                  #448

[9]  Cody Hoover                               #428

[10] Ty Hunt                                       #426

4 Year Olds - B Main - September 4, 2011 - Dakota Five-O

[1]  Collin Unkenholz                           #445

[2]  Wyatt Brumbaugh                         #438

[3]  Gavin Spellman                             #443

[4]  Alexa Jacobs                                #439

[5]  Peyton Powles                              #446

[6]  Otto Lefevre                                 #432

[7]  Evan Adams                                 #427

[8]  Heath Wintergerst                         #434

[9]  Karli Schuenberner                       #435

[10] Elijah Johnson                              #437

5 Year Olds - A Main - September 2, 2011 - Dakota Five-O

[1]  Bridger Bergan                              #514

[2]  Dmitri Lewis                                  #511

[3]  Adyn Miller                                   #522

[4]  Oliver Olsen                                  #520

[5]  Jesse McFarland                           #516

[6]  Nevada McKillop                         #518

[7]  Triston Gallegos                             #513

[8]  Andrew Rasmussen                       #517

[9]  Zander Stone                                 #521

[10] Keegan Benham                           #523

[11] Tallulah Hamilton                          #519

[12] Ava Krueger                                #515

[13] Ziah Toupe                                   #524