A Day in the Life with Walker and Luca Shaw
 |
2013 brought big things for Walker and Luca Shaw; the brothers from Hendersonville, North Carolina, took their first steps into the arena of World Cup racing. While Walker took the Junior US National Championship title, Luca took his first Jr. World Cup podium at Val Di Sole. Unfortunately, Walker broke his wrist in Andorra, effectively side-lining him for the remainder of the season after World Champs, “It was really frustrating breaking my wrist again in Andorra. The rest of the season was a struggle, but I still had a blast.”
Now, as fall weather moves in, the Shaws are at home reflecting on their experiences of the summer past, preparing for the summer that lies ahead, and having a little bit of fun while they’re at it. World Cup season will be here before we know it, and it’s best not to rest on one’s laurels.
 |
 It's ten of seven and the Shaws are up and at the table for breakfast before heading to school. |
 |
| It might not be fun, but it has to be done. School is out and it's time to ride. |
 |
| The race room. A season's worth of racing tires and all the gear needed for travel are put away, waiting until the start of spring. |
 |
| Strength training is a regular part of the Shaw's training regimen. The boys hit the gym a few times a week. |
 |
| Luca Shaw is perhaps the more introspective of the brothers. The gears are grinding in-between sets at the gym. |
 |
| Cycling is ingrained in the Shaw family. Doug Shaw works on his cyclocross bike in the kitchen, while Luca catches up on plans for the day. |
 |
| Luca does a little pump track maintenance, as the leaves are falling fast in North Carolina. |
 |
| The back yard pump track is a good outlet to let off steam, play, and keep skills sharp. |
 |
| Luca Shaw having a little afternoon backyard fun. |
 |
| "The Plan". Becoming a top World Cup rider is not something that happens overnight, and raw talent will only take one so far. Walker goes over his plan for the next year; rehab form injury, goals, and even fun time. |
 |
| The inner sanctum. So many bikes in the stable. Walker picks his weapon of choice for the day's training ride. |
 |
| Some creeks must be crossed on foot, it's all just part of the fun. |
 |
| Up early to ride. Watching the sunrise from a mountain top is just one of the rewards of getting a morning training ride in. |
 |
| Most of Walker and Luca's training is done on the trail bike. With hundreds of miles of trail in the immediate vicinity of their house, the options are endless. |
 |
| Luca getting steezy on the local trails. Yes, he can throw around 29 inch wheels just as well as he can 26 inch wheels. |
 |
| There is nothing like having a good friend, confidant, and brother to push you in your riding. Walker and Luca, while highly competitive, are always pushing each other and always stoked on what the other has achieved. |
 |
| That's right. 29r roost brought to you by Walker Shaw. |
 |
| Luca has found great success in his first year on the World Cup circuit. First steps are always the hardest, but now with a full season under his belt, he is looking to solidify his position as a top junior in the World Cup. |
 |
| Walker, just one month out of a cast from a broken wrist is back on the bike and slaying it on his home trails. While the injury may have put a damper on his World Cup season, he takes positive lessons from it, and will apply them to next season. |
 |
| Every ride is an adventure and serious training should not be without rewards. Stopping to take in the sights plays a role in keeping a sound mind. |
 |
| At the end of the day, the boys take time to work on their bikes, clean them up, and have them ready and waiting for tomorrow. |
 |
| Not a bad view at the end of the day. Walker and Luca would like to thank, SRAM, Specialized, Monster Energy, Troy Lee Designs, 100 Percent Goggles, Industry Nine Wheels, Sycamore Cycles and especially their parents and each other for all the help and support. |
Here's to seeing you do great things next year, guys.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
I sure hope the Shaw kids don't take it for granted, and by the looks of it, it does not look like they have.