The topic of parallel universes has gained a lot of attention in the entertainment industry lately. The multiverse concept usually gets portrayed as the idea that your life choices take you down different paths in separate universes where you live a different life while simultaneously living your current path. Then the paths cross, and you meet yourself — but you’re different.
This story line replays itself in a lot of recent movies, and is perhaps a simplistic depiction of the quantum entanglement and string theories that support the supposition. Nevertheless, it does make one wonder, “What would have happened if I’d just done that instead.…”
Today’s kids are often presented with a lot of choices. Extracurricular activities include music lessons, plays, 4-H, horseback riding, a variety of sports, after-school clubs, and the like. This spring, my seventh-grade son decided to try the Methow Valley Mountain Bike Team because the only option at school was track and field.
The mountain bike team races cross-country mountain bike trails at the school and on myriad trails around the valley. We had no idea what we were signing up for; we just wanted him to be active. I say “we,” because, like with all sports, parents are key players on the team. We didn’t really know we’d be traveling three out of five weekends to far-away races across the state, camping in the rain. We’ve learned a little bit about bike racing but, mostly, we’ve learned how supportive this team sport is.
The mountain bike team and Washington Student Cycling League have exceeded our expectations in all ways. Coaches Jeremy Newman and Hanz Scholz, along with parent volunteers, notably Kelly Bolinger and Eric Purpus, made the season a friendly and welcoming time, helping forge new friendships and sharpen old ones. From team barbecues to group rides, and even a team bus Hanz bought out of his own pocket, the experience has been lighthearted, relaxed and inclusive. The environment they foster is a no-pressure, low-stakes experience centered on fun and improvement and the pure enjoyment of riding.
From what I can tell, this vibe permeates the league. Each race had a festive, friendly, noncompetitive atmosphere. While I am sure a small share of kids spend time in the “village” sizing up the competition, for the most part, kids were swapping candy and sports drinks between team tents, instead of swapping menacing stares or grimaces aimed to intimidate. Adoration for rider achievements and encouragement for all riders crossed team boundaries.
This year’s season wrapped up in Spokane at Riverside State Park, where our kids felt familiar amidst a blanket of showy balsamroot and under the shade of Ponderosa pines. We took home the third-place spot for middle school and fourth place for high school — an impressive standing, given our small team.
I’ll let Rick Lewis fill you in on all the individual rankings and accomplishments, as he’s done the past few weeks. But I wanted to highlight what a rewarding experience sprang from a decision that could have taken a different path. Who knows, maybe in another universe, our Methow bike riders are mounting space unicorns and riding rainbow trails in the galactic games.
