Thank you.
As of last weekend, my bike racing season is over. I've had a great season racing on a great team and I owe thanks to Trek for keeping me on board after last year. I can spend more time with friends and spend time exploring the creative world without having to 'sneak in' a 3 hour ride. Not much 'sneakin' going on there if you know what I'm sayin'. I hear a lot about 'missing out' on the greater things in life when you are a committed athlete. Well, at least for me, I feel like I'm living plenty of life, and a great life.
Gearing up for a 24 hour mountain bike race requires a ton of training, but also a healthy dose of relaxation. Welcome to 'Baker's Acres'.
Ward and Heidi were top-tier hosts and wanted to try out their new Empanada recipe that Ward picked up on his latest surf trip to Mexico. I arrived to to see the couple in mid-baking, from scratch! If I were to rate the food, ambiance, and conversation - of course it's a 10 out of 10! A quality night of friends, veggies, and Empanadas was a perfect way to relax before the big weekend. Thanks Ward, Heidi, Rob, Melissa, Bergs and Fin Man!
24 Hour National Championships
I've written about the race HERE, so I'll spare the recycled words and focus a little more on the aspects that made this race such a great experience. Well, the people make the difference! A couple people who were in Moab in spirit:
Nick - you are a man of absolute generosity and your undying commitment to helping others, (myself being a benefactor!) has inspired many to prosper. Thanks for taking so much time to help me and push me to be better for all these years.
A great example of Nick's passion in what he does can be found HERE. (this is a good read)
George - You're in the same category brother. Thanks for the years of morale and confidence-boosting conversations. (Not to mention the 24-Hour tested bike fits...)
And then there is the crew...
Ryan - you're a great cousin and support man. Thanks for flying out just for this and taking care of me! I still can't believe you drove us home straight after the race.
Bethany - Another year and another adventure. You were amazing as usual and although this gets said too much, it rings truer than ever here: I could not have done this without you.
Chris - Even though you own a bike company that's not called Trek, you were a staple in keeping me runnin' - and runnin' fast! I appreciate that you brought the Maverick rig out to the desert and set up camp for me. I learned a lot about you over the weekend and let's just say I wouldn't have done as well without you there. Thanks for busting my chops when I was there for more than 30 seconds...
Tracey (and Carla) - You're the best brother. It meant a lot seeing you out there and finally getting a chance to share this side of my life with ya. Thank you both for being there.
And Libby! - I speak for many men when I say some of the best inspiration comes from trying to impress your girlfriend. (However, I'm not sure how impressive it is when your boyfriend is wearing spandex, is covered in sweat and has food all over his face...) You were clutch in my success and I can't thank you enough for staying with me for 24 hours in the hot/cold and windy desert.
I had one of the best races of my career. I came into this event being the fittest I've ever been, having all the inspiration an athlete could ask for, being surrounded by the best crew, and being challenged by a guy with the nickname, 'Toast'.
Josh Tostado and I battled it out for the duration, exchanging 1st/2nd, keeping each other on our toes. Josh is a great guy who was a tough competitor, but one I respected. I know this guy is a fast, mentally strong athlete who knows very well how to win. He and I would exchange friendly words right from the beginning. I enjoy racing when I race against classy competitors and Josh was one of the classiest I've raced.
Throughout the race I would see a lot of friends out there. Some I would pass, and some would pass me. Some even drug me along in their slipstream for a mile or two in hopes of giving me a slight break. A guy who I really only heard of, Greg Martin (also single speed solo world champ) rode near me when my lights went out to help me get through a technical section, that I would otherwise be navigating in the pitch-black night. I saw Chelsea McGowen out there on her singlespeed as she was soloing - and I thought I had it rough!
I would come in for my pitstop after each lap and see my crew eagerly waiting to shove food in my mouth, tell me encouraging things - tell me I had 10 seconds left to drink that ensure - tell me my mom says great job, and then shove me off. I'd hear Libby tell me she loved me and then I'd disappear into the night.
Winning and losing becomes less important - at times - when you've reached a limit. You go on auto pilot and think about random things. I'd see people that were on their 2nd lap and hurting. I'd see people on their 4th lap and in the lead of their team's category just flying! Then I'd see Eszter H (eventual solo national champ) with dirt all over her face just pedaling away with a smile or my friends from North Dakota who were on a 4 person team. Whoever it was, they pretty much always said something encouraging.
I'd worked harder on my fitness this year than ever before. I came to this race to win, to wear a national champion's jersey, to frame it and give it to my parents. This would not be the case, and I would finish 2nd again in one of the biggest 24 hour races. Josh Tostado raced an incredible race and he was too strong to beat. I gave it all I could and I'm proud of that.
At the end of the day, we want to do things we love. For me, it's working towards having experiences that will last a lifetime. I consider myself lucky to have so much love in my life. I was fortunate enough this last weekend to be included in the plans of the people around me. For you, I kept pedaling in the darkest moments.
Thanks for reading,
km
