rond..@spiritone.com
Yeah some people get grouchy and there are many reasons why...including (1) immediate sense of unhappiness or (2) plain old self importance being the usual reasons with regard to bike races........old age may play into that, but there sure are some grouchy 20-30 something racers. For the most part, the 50+ /60+ group are pretty upbeat. I mean look at that glow of enlightenment around Einar! Anyway that is not really the reason for this note to OBRA list.
This is...
We just had a weekend with two of the best Cross races on the calendar!
Not taking away from other venues or promoters, but Ninkrossi and Battle at Barlow are always fantastic events for those taking part. My thanks to all who worked to make these two races take place. Putting on cross races takes so much work which goes on long before and after the racers show up. No venue is perfect, but I hope most of the OBRA racers are thankful for what an amazing number of races we have. Thanks to the people who make the effort to put them on inside the supportive infrastructure of OBRA.
I also came away with two very inspiring experiences on each day.
Saturday (Ninkrossi) I got my lazy butt out of my cozy little van to go watch some of the Clyde race. I happened to witness (right near the finish area) the three leaders climbing the toward the line and the one lap bell. Dave Rosen was leading by about a bike when Nikolas Heagy and Tyson Hart tangled into the tape. Dave took this in, slowed down for them as they untangled, then continued. Instead of entering the last lap with an even larger lead, he showed me an amazing respect for the other two racers. Just the best sportsmanship I can imagine. All three of them had been making each other do their best and creating an experience to remember. I do not know how the three of them feel about that race, but I saw that as one of the best things I have ever witnessed at at cross race. Thanks you heavyweights.
Sunday (Barlow) I again got my even more lazy butt out to the start line for my 60+ race. As is the norm, I left the start mid pack and just tried to get into a physical zone I could maintain for the time allotted (without getting too grouchy of course). By the end of the 2nd lap, Craig Mavis was out there in front of me almost within reach. My recent racing performance was telling me I was NOT going to be able to keep him within reach, but some way his rabbit ears managed to keep my brain fooling my body into pushing those pedals. He rode a very nice strong race and held me off by a comfortable margin, but both of us were so happy afterward for the experience of such a fun positive race.
I know others have had similar experiences. I also hope there are many more coming up for people this season and in years to come. Once these type of good experiences happen, they stay with us until the mind is gone or we are bone.
Each time we have the choice to figure out how to make it fun.
ron