Nine-year-old Devin Hawthorn of Vine Hill Elementary School has been training for six months — including 15 climbs of strenuous Mountain Charlie Road — in preparation of the annual Mountain Charlie Challenge bike ride April 23.
Devin will join his father, Sean Hawthorn, for the first time to complete the full 100-kilometer ride around Santa Cruz County. His mother, Martina Hawthorn, will take part in the 50-kilometer ride.
“It’s because of Lance Armstrong,” Devin said. “He inspired me to do long races and rides.”
The wiry fourth-grader is the youngest cyclist signed up, according to organizers. The ninth annual ride is the largest fundraiser for the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation.
Devin, who began training for the first time six months ago, trains three days a week and spent time at the Bike Dojo in Santa Cruz during the winter’s rains.
The challenge will be his first competitive event, and he and his mother will sell raffle tickets for the ride from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in front of Safeway, 253 Mount Hermon Road, in Scotts Valley. Supporters can also mail checks to Scotts Valley Educational Foundation for “Rider Devin Hawthorn,” 4444 Scotts Valley Drive, Ste. 5B, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.
For information: Martina Hawthorn, 247-9616 or ma*************@*ol.com.
Mt. Charlie Challenge announces line-up of performers
The Mt. Charlie Challenge Pledge Bike Ride, set for 8 a.m. Saturday, April 23 in Skypark, has announced its entertainment line-up:
**SVHS Drum Line, featuring Ryan Snell, Jasper Lee and Jared Clark, performs rousing percussion music 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. in the Skypark parking lot.
**De Golden Koi, comprised of Zeph Rhoads, Chris Horchler, Jasper Lee and Alex Johnson, performs 11 a.m. to oon in Skypark’s BBQ area. The band performs covers of music by the Beatles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Radiohead and other rock bands.
**New Paradigm, Mt. Charlie’s headliner, performs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the BBQ area. The band is a veteran winner of SVHS’s Battle of the Bands, and plays both original Blues-based rock and funk, and covers of classic rock tunes, Jimi Hendrix and other popular artists.
The post-ride BBQ and concert are open to the community, and are free to riders who participate in the 100 kilometer or 50 kilometer ride. Skirt steak, chicken, vegeburgers, homemade cookies and other food will be served by Kiwanis. Riders may register at active.com through 5 p.m. April 22 or, if necessary, at Skypark at 7 a.m. the morning of the ride (free t-shirts available only while supply lasts). The raffle for prizes includes a new cruiser bike donated by Scotts Valley Cycle Sport. All money raised goes to Scotts Valley Educational Foundation to help local public schools. For more information, check the Foundation’s website, www.svef.net, or contact co-organizers Aura Clendenen, 247-4805, cl*******@*******nk.net, or Mike Rein, 440-9835, mi**@*****aw.net.
