August 2017: Honoring Caitlin

Hey green team,

Amidst two of the most exciting triathlon months, I’ve been reminded by teammates to consider the “why” behind what we do - especially the morning of a race, when it’s 3:30AM and you’re trying to jam peanut butter banana toast down your throat while repeatedly questioning your sanity. In those moments, I invite everyone to call on the “spirit” of our sport. There’s no better way to do so than remembering the ones who fell in love with triathlon - and the ones we, as a Wheelworks family, loved right back.

So if you need a little motivation as we round out the season, I give you a story about Caitlin Clavette, a beloved teammate who was taken from us too soon in a tragic accident in the winter of 2016. Her family established the Caitlin Clavette Memorial Foundation (CCMF) with a vision to support a community where all people live healthy lives, preserve and appreciate the arts, respect and protect all living things, and live with passion. In 2017, the CCMF awarded 5 race entries to WWMS teammates who live the foundation's values. I couldn’t have written this story as eloquently as the authors: Louanne and Andrew Clavette.

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​You asked what inspired the CCMF to support Wheelworks Multisport athletes in their races this season. The answer is simple - yet the story is long. It involves a Tri- bike, a bird, a team and the unrelenting spirit of our beautiful girl.

While relaxing with her parents on a boat in Onset Bay this young woman was watching the Escape the Cape Triathlon. As the athletes stripped off their wetsuits from the ocean swim she thought, "I can do that..." after all she had been a swimmer for years - belonged to the local swim team, the breast stroke was her specialty. Next, the athletes jumped on the bikes, clipped in and raced ahead. "Well, she thought - no experience with cycling." Finally the last leg of the race got underway, running. She thought, "I can do that..." after all she was captain of her high school track team, the 200 meter was her specialty. Two out of three wasn't bad and she set her sights on mastering cycling to complete the third leg of her new Triathlon dream.

She purchased a bike - a Trek - and tagged along with her uncle, an accomplished cyclist, to learn the basics of cycling.

The Cranberry Tri-fest was her first Triathlon - she placed 2nd in her age group! There she was determined, invincible and on her way to join the Wheelworks Multisport Team.  It was the Wheelworks store in Belmont where she proudly purchased her tri-bike and found a team and a new tri-family. There is a wonderfully funny story about a bird that I'm sure only some of the WWMS Teammates can relate. She took pedal training classes at the Wheelworks store and bike repair classes (even got her dad involved). Her proudest accomplishment while with she was on the Wheelworks Multisport Team was her Ironman 70.3 Timberman challenge. She loved her team, she loved competing and she loved winning. She always strove to do better, get faster and did this with a laugh and a big smile.

This is Caitlin Clavette: daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend, athlete... our beautiful girl. Her dream would be for everyone to become involved with cycling and this is why the CCMF has supported, and will continue to support Wheelworks Multisport athletes,. Our dream is to continue her legacy.

Caitlin has inspired us in so many ways, foremost was her love for cycling. Her parents, brother, sister-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, fiance, and friends all ride with Caitlin in our hearts. Every turn of the pedal, every ounce of sweat, and every hill we climb is because of Caitlin. To this day Caitlin's mom rides Caitlin's Trek and her tri-bike hangs in the garage just waiting....

Wherever you swim, bike, and run this season, remember this is not just about podiums and incentive points (though those are terrific). It’s about growth, determination, overcoming fear, gaining strength, and most importantly: it’s about the people triathlon allows us to be. 
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To read more about Caitlin’s passion for triathlon, the arts, education, and life in general, please visit the Caitlin Clavette Memorial Foundation website - and if you’re inspired, consider donating. Our generosity allows Caitlin’s “spirit” to live on, through athletes just like us. (See below for evidence of their WWMS racer support this year.)

The Caitlin Clavette Foundation is having a Farm to Table dinner/fundraiser Sept 23rd at Wright Locke Farm in Winchester.  There is information about the event on their website and a Facebook event.

​Happy racing, and #gogreen!