Adirondack Sports April 2024

APRIL 2024 43
◀ APPRECIATION
FOR AARON GIRARD.
SAM BRESLIN
◀ A FOCUSED
CHASE O’DONNELL.
◀ CROSS NATIONALS
11-12 CHAMP
CHASE O’DONNELL.
RYAN O’DONNELL
BICYCLING cont. from 41
Since 2021, more national titles have been won in
road and cross by Chase O’Donnell, Abby Romlein, and
Hannah Dinolfo. In addition, the team has accumulated
hundreds of podiums from local and national races.
When asked what has led to the success of the program,
Andy responded, “We have a nice balance of challenging
rides, serious training, and fun adventure. There
is also an element of luck. We are fortunate to have kids
who are excited and dedicated, and parents and volunteers
who help to keep the whole thing operating. There
is so much work involved in a successful team. The equipment
and maintenance are monumental. We have the
expertise of Aaron Girard at our fingertips to help us
through it all. We have parents who step in to transport
kids and equipment to races. We have kids who are willing
to work hard, put in the hours, and keep coming back
for more.”
To all of this, I can say the team is lucky to have Andy’s
vision and commitment to the kids, and his many years of
racing and coaching experience that he shares with anyone
willing to listen. We are also fortunate to have Aaron
keeping the bikes working. There is only a small group
of people who have the expertise to maintain a fleet of
bicycles. He generously donates his time to help the kids
stay on their bikes and have fun. So yes, I agree that there
is a bit of luck here, but there is a lot of hard work that
comes with it.
The kids on the team offered unanimous feedback
that, “The hardest part of the sport is the long training
rides,” many of which are done alone, in a basement,
on a trainer. Not only is the workout hard, but the
mental focus and dedication to stick with it day after
day is no small feat. To see kids ages 11-18 do it for
the love of cycling is both humbling and awe-inspiring.
They have different reasons for why they keep
at it. For some, it’s the feeling of standing on the
podium. For others, it is the motivation to keep up
on the adventure rides. Some enjoy the structure
in their lives and the way it makes them feel to ride
their bike anywhere, anytime. There is also a rare
exception, Evan Boyle (Athlete Profile, March 2023), who
only rode with the team as a junior for one-year before
aging out and turning pro. For Evan, riding a bike, quickly
changed his life and has turned his sport into a career.
Parents, coaches, volunteers, community members,
and teammates are incredibly grateful for the opportunity
to take cycling to the next level. They are immensely proud
of the kids for rising to every challenge and exceeding even
their own expectations. For kids interested in learning
more and trying out road, cyclocross, or mountain biking –
▲ CROSS NATIONALS 11-12 CHAMP
HANNAH DINOLFO. PETER DINOLFO
with a new junior MTB team for 2024, I encourage you to
contact Andy and check it out: aruiz@nycap.rr.com. You
will not be disappointed.
Jessica Hanna (jessica.blank.hanna@gmail.
com) of Rexford is a teacher, NICA Mountain
Goats coach, mom of two amazing daughters, and
occasional triathlete. She is eternally grateful for
the community that cycling has provided her family.