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Light the Torch

By Tyler Lee | Additional photos: Jarrett Lindal

By KAVU

December 5^th, 2023

It's crazy to me that my oldest son Rayno is 6 years old. He's loved all things "bike" since he was 1 and a half and still.... to this day, can’t get enough of it. When he's on his bike, it seems he is truly in his happy place.

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

This summer, he got into BMX racing at Sea Tac BMX.... a local track just minutes from our house. But, by the end of summer he said: "I think I'm done with BMX, Papa". I said, "dude, but you loved it so much! Why are you all of a sudden done?" "It's boring Dad....I just go around and around the same track."

Fair enough......

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

So my wife Kati, took him to a forest trail..... and once he started riding his bike in the woods.....

..... he couldn’t get enough of it!

So, a plan was hatched. I told Rayno we were going to meet one of his heroes..... Mark Matthews.

Since all this mountain biking stuff was new to me, I said, “Hey Rayno, you really like mountain biking and want to ride like Mark Matthews? Well, how about we go meet Mark and ride with him? I can’t think of anyone better to teach you how to ride mountain bikes than Marky Math.... What do you think about that idea?” The look on his face was priceless.... he was beyond fired up!

Mark Matthews is one of the best riders on the planet and an athlete on Team KAVU... and I had been meaning to meet up with him on his home turf for what felt like a long time. So, this trip was a win/win for us both. Being KAVU's athlete manager.... there is NOTHING like a real, in-person meeting! From experience, I know that usually, that kind of meeting ends up being memorable;-)

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

So I called Mark, and we locked in some dates to meet in Victoria BC, which was kinda in the middle of where we both live. Rayno and I reserved a spot on the 8AM ferry from Port Angels to Victoria, so we left late the night before and slept in the back of the truck close to the dock.

For the last 2 years, Rayno had been watching clips of Mark absolutely tearing apart trails on his mountain bike! "Marky Math" shreds as hard as anyone out there, and he also seems to be in his happiest place on a mountain bike.

When Rayno was discovering his new love for mountain bikes, he would yell out “I’m going to ride like Mark Matthews one day”!

Light the Torch

So, early Thursday morning we jumped on the “Black Ball” ferry and headed across the sound to Victoria BC. This was also Rayno’s first trip to Canada, which is extra rad.

Mark met us at Jordie Lunn Bike Park. I had no idea before our visit, but this was one of the most amazing bike parks in the Northwest. Although it was raining.... when you love biking as much as Rayno and Mark..... the rain is irrelevant. I don’t think they even noticed it.

WOW what a place!

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

The joy on Ryano’s face while meeting Mark was magic. It also filled me with joy seeing just how stoked he was for this unique adventure. We both realized that it was super special Mark drove 2.5 hours just to ride with Rayno. It was truly something special to be a part of.

As we greeted each other in the parking lot, Mark let me know that Jordie Lunn bike park was a special place for him as well, because it was Jordie who'd brought Mark under his wing as a young rider, and taught him the ropes of Pro Mountain biking.

Mark started riding mountain bikes at age 12. After high school, he moved in with Jordie.... who turned into a huge part of Mark’s life, a true mentor, and was integral in Mark become the rider he is today.

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

I was beyond grateful that Mark took the time to share the love of riding with my son Rayno. As he was passed the torch by Jordie, who unfortunately is no longer with us, he seemed to find joy and fulfillment this opportunity to show Rayno what mountain biking was all about,and to continue the cycle of giving back.

Rayno had never ridden any sort of “official” trails, so having Mark be there to guide him left me confident he was going to be OK. Mark was also able to grab an extra bike from MARIN Bike's Canadian headquarters, so I could join up and see what this sport was all about… Rayno and I both had no idea how much fun we were getting into. Well.... I bet Rayno knew... but this trip left me brewing with stoke to get a bike and get into this amazing sport!

Jarrett Lindal, a buddy of Mark's also came along as well to help us get some photos of the mission. I snapped a few... but I was so grateful that Jarrett truly got some banger shots!

Light the Torch

Mark started Rayno off on the pump track to feel the flow and then we were off to the start of the downhill trail. Up and up we went…some riding some walking, but we made it to the top. Mark was like” Alright let’s rip it”….I was like "ahhhh over that rock…that is the start of the trail?"

Rayno was all in and ready.

I asked Mark if he could give us a quick tutorial because it was Rayno’s first time. Reality was, I needed some coaching as it was my first time as well;-) But, I think Rayno was ready and could have just sent it.

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

I was pumped to learn what the best body position was, to have even pressure on both brakes, and turn with my hips and not the handlebars. Basically, look ahead through the berms/ turns and not use the handle bars for turning. "Turn with your body". Rayno knew all of this of course, from his BMX days... but I was a true 'green horn'. I had ridden bikes all my life, but not on trials like this.

Rayno’s favorite run/ trail was called Wildcat, on which he rode behind Mark like a champ. When he saddles up on his bike ready to hit the trail, I can see this radical focus come upon Rayno. For me, it's pure magic to watch. He fully tunes in and just sends it. As a Papa, it’s special to find activities like this that allow your kids to fully unleash their inner wild-man! Combining his love for biking with his love for being outside in nature, for doing hard things and his love for balance and going fast made this the perfect fit.

It’s hard to describe watching Rayno so full of joy while riding his bike on these trails with Mark. He simply couldn’t get enough of it! He even crashed on the second to last turn of the run, shed a few tears, dusted himself off and got back on his bike ready for more. As a Papa, I think this is my favorite thing in the world to do; to help your kid find their passion and execute it to the fullest. Rayno is forever discovering new passions in life, but I have a feeling that Rayno’s passion for mountain biking will be one he and I will continue to pursue together.

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

The coolest part of all of this was how amazing Mark was while showing Rayno the ropes. He took time to connect with him, teach him, cheer him on and he was super patient with him. I couldn’t be more pumped that a guy like Marky Math is representing KAVU, and is a part of our team. He loves mountain biking more that anyone I know and is fired up to help share that passion with anyone out there who's stoked on riding.

So, ride on! There are many more trails that need exploring!!!

KAVU Days ahead!!

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

During our trip over on the ferry, Rayno put his excitement and energy in drawing Marky Math a thank you card. He loves drawing.... as much as biking. He was so excited to meet mark and give him his drawing, which left my heart full.

This trip left Rayno and I filled with stoke and gratitude, one that he and I will remember forever.

Thanks Mark!!

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

Light the Torch

One Favorite KAVU item

Jarrett Lindal Media

Light the Torch

Footnotes

Tyler Lee is the Team's guiding light and shot caller; truly the definition of core KAVU. He's also a dedicated husband and father of two rad boys who will, no doubt, outdo us all some day!

FootNotes

Tyler Lee is the Team's guiding light and shot caller; truly the definition of core KAVU. He's also a dedicated husband and father of two rad boys who will, no doubt, outdo us all some day!

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