2008 Boys & Girls Club Challenger Team

2008 CHALLENGER TEAM

2008-08-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

Hanan Hameed

2008-08-25T18:59:00.001-07:00

Age: 16
Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq
School: Charlottesville High School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... I wanted to do something fun for the summer.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... making new friends.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... falling, or getting hurt.
The food I crave after a long ride ... food from Subway.
The song I hear in my head when I'm biking ... is "Always With Me" from the movie "Spirited Away."
I recover from a long ride by ... resting/sleeping.
Something most people don't know about me ... I like Japanese cartoons.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... I don't know -- maybe travel.

Johnny Herring (a.k.a. "The Hill Master")

2008-08-25T18:56:00.001-07:00

Age: 13
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
School: Buford Middle School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... I love a challenge.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... going downhill.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... going uphill.
The food I crave after a long ride ... bananas.
I recover from a long ride by ... sleeping.
Something most people don't know about me ... I've never ridden a road bike before on the roads.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... play professional football.

Delante M. James

2008-08-25T18:55:00.001-07:00

Age: 14
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
School: Charlottesville High School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... it's fun.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... going downhill.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... climbing hills.
The food I crave after a long ride ... cheeseburgers.
I recover from a long ride by ... sleeping.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... be in the NBA or NFL.

Akil Robinson

2008-08-25T18:54:00.001-07:00

Age: 14
Hometown: Miami, FL
School: Charlottesville High School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... I thought it would get me in shape for all the other sports I play.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... going downhill.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... going uphill.
The food I crave after a long ride ... Chipotle.
The song I hear in my head when I'm biking ... is "Phone Home" by LiL Wayne.
I recover from a long ride by ... eating Chipotle.
Something most people don't know about me ... I've been around the world.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... be a doctor.

Scottie Chambers

2008-08-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

Age: 12
Hometown: Winchester, VA
School: Buford Middle School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... I thought it would be fun.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... going down hills.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... going up hills / crashes.
The food I crave after a long ride ... almost anything.
I recover from a long ride by ... taking a bath in hot water and sleeping.
Something most people don't know about me ... I'm hyper-active.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... play in the NBA.

Fatin K. Hameed

2008-08-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

Age: 19
Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq
School: Charlottesville High School
I joined the Challenger Team ... to do some activity and have fun, and to get to know more people.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... going downhill and when the wild winds hit your face and refreshes you.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... when I go around a curve and a car comes fast, but fortunately I keep my balance by taking a few, or a lot, of instructions from Coach Luther.
The food I crave after a long ride ... WOW, I can't tell you about that -- I eat a lot of food, but it all gets burned up by biking.
The song I hear in my head when I'm biking ... I actually don't hear any song, but I hear the instructions that Coach Luther gives me going through my mind.
I recover from a long ride by ... getting recharged again by laying down and resting my legs. That helps a lot.
Something most people don't know about me ... is that this is my first time being on a road bike. I mean, I didn't ride in my country outside in the street.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... have a good future and build a good life for myself.

Whit Zirkle

2008-08-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Age: 15
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
School: Blue Ridge School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... I wasn't doing anything active during the summer and this is great exercise.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... is going down a steep hill with sharp turns and having a tailwind.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... riding on an empty stomach and headwinds.
The food I crave after a long ride ... definitely a cheeseburger with a coke or Rockstar, or a nice warm BODOS bagel.
The song I hear in my head when I'm biking ... any classic rock: Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, or any 90's music.
I recover from a long ride by ... stretching and food (the food stretches the stomach muscles).
Something most people don't know about me ... how hard it is to answer this question.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... be living away from home somewhere wear I can snowboard and/or mountain bike when I want.

Mark Jones

2008-08-25T18:31:00.001-07:00

Age: 17
Hometown: Norfolk, VA
School: Albemarle High School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... it is a great learning experience and keeps you in shape, and of course, the free bike!
The BEST thing about cycling is ... probably drafting, and riding with friends.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... having to get up way early to ride.
The food I crave after a long ride ... anything that is appealing.
The song I hear in my head when I'm biking ... depends on my mood, usually something soothing to ride to, like "Maybe" by Secondhand Serenade.
I recover from a long ride by ... stretching, and then eating food!
Something most people don't know about me ... is that I love driving.
In 10 years, I'd like to ... be working and making $100k+ a year. I'll always have my toys no matter how old I am.

Roscoe Gilmore, Jr. "R.J."

2008-08-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

Age: 15
Hometown: Charlottesville
School: Charlottesville High School
I joined the Challenger Team because ... I like a good challenge to see what my body can adapt to.
The BEST thing about cycling is ... being able to ride and seeing the sights.
The WORST thing about cycling is ... going up hills.
The food I crave after a long ride ... a hamburger.
The song I hear in my head when I'm biking ... "I Put On" by Young Jeezy.
I recover from a long ride by ... sleeping.
Something most people don't know about me ... I love to dance!
In 10 years, I'd like to ... become a NFL Player.