Violet was in her first bike race recently. She was in the training wheel division of the Portsmouth Criterium. First she had her bike and helmet checked out.

Number three-hundred-sixty-one. There were a lot of kids racing. I was shocked.


And they're off. See the pace car? That is the entire length of the course (600 meters). I have lots of pictures of the progression of the race and Violet has had a fantastic time flipping through them like a movie.


Violet finished somewhere near the end of the pack, but by no means last. I think they had to hold up the next race for the kid who came in last. Something to be said for determination, though.


And a well deserved ride back to the car.


Next year? She's talking about being in the '4-6 year old without training wheels' division.