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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2017)
Wednesday, June 7, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 5 Sisters youth set free on mountain bike trails By Andrew Loscutoff Correspondent Jacob Polachek has only been in Sisters for two years, but it didn’t take long for Jacob to dive right into a new sport he’s fallen in love with: Cycling. While many other teens are chasing the ball around a soccer field or cracking pads on the gridiron, Jacob is pedaling through the woods, enjoying the freedom and thrills that mountain biking provide. He enjoys being on trails, not confined to lines on a court. Two wheels rolling along a single-track set him free. Jacob tried the traditional youth sports — soccer, bas- ketball, and even martial arts. None stuck with him like cycling. The challenges he’s overcome have taught him how to be resilient. He has endured, learned how to push himself outside the comfort zone; something he says helps him with everyday obstacles. The closer he gets to his limit on the bike the more alive he feels. Jacob’s self-inflicted tests of resilience make the minor annoyances others lament and complain about easy to handle. The Oregon XC series is a cadre of races throughout Oregon in the spring season, wrapping up last weekend in grand fashion at the Sisters Stampede. Jacob raced them all, and proved his endur- ance and grit are second to none, becoming the overall points champion for the series junior division. Not bad for a neo-racer. When asked his favor- ite event, he noted the Coast race. It featured a track full of ups, downs, mud pits, and rooty descents. It seems as if Jacob is always seeking out a new challenge. Next year, he is hoping to upgrade and race longer courses, with tougher competition — a decision that others might eschew, in order to complacently ride their successes at a lower division. One day, Polachek hopes to be a Category 1 racer, with the “really fast guys” he emu- lates now. Why aren’t more kids out riding like Jacob? He believes a lot of the others just follow the norms laid before them; they do baseball, and foot- ball, etc. His advice to oth- ers is to just try it, have fun, PHOTO PROVIDED Jacob Polachek has found his athletic niche on a mountain bike in the woods. and embrace the challenge. His perspective is kids aren’t willing to push themselves into discomfort, a prerequi- site for success in cycling. It’s hard for him to find others to ride with. His peers aren’t interested in pushing themselves with no extrinsic reward; no one is spectating in the woods, no coach pres- ent to cajole effort, no com- promising when the terrain puts a hill between the rider and the route home. It’s too easy to turn away from hard effort, to say they tried their best, and to give up. When things get hard, what will be the outcome? Give up, complain, throw a fit? All of these are easy, but won’t get someone up a hill and over a rock. Polachek knows this, and has proven he’s a top up-and- comer in the state XC series. Friday Night is Les Schwab Family night at Sisters Rodeo JUNE 9 AT 7 PM Kids are free Twelve & Under WINNEMUCCA TOUR JUNE 23-25 | $89 PPDO Receive $30 free slot play, $15 food coupons COWBOY DINNER TREE SILVER LAKE JULY 15 | $99 PP We will be visiting the Fort Rock Museum Homestead before din- ner! Enjoy the ride as we embark upon a hidden treasure! You may forget that we are in the 21st century, cooking is done with propane! Family-style dinner TOPAZ LODGE JULY 18-21 | $149 PPDO (TOUR ONLY OFFERED ONCE THIS YEAR!) 4 days/3 nights! In- cludes lodging & transportation! Receive $30 free slot play/$15 in food coupons! WINNEMUCCA-RENO SEPT. 5-8 | $199 PPDO Receive free slot play, food credits/Cash rebates BEST TIRE VALUE PROMISE RIVER CRUISE ST. LOUIS TO MEMPHIS Plan now! September 22-October 2, 2018 ’50s and ’60s music! Starting at $3,249 PPO Includes 2 pre-cruise nights, one post-cruise night, air, transfers, shore excursions, complimentary beer & wine with dinner and much more! Connie Boyle 541-508-1500 Box 615 Sisters, OR 97759 www.LesSchwab.com EIGHT CENTRAL OREGON LOCATIONS SISTERS BEND REDMOND PRINEVILLE MADRAS LAPINE