cmur-@obra.org

-----Original Message-----

From: ton-@sellwoodcycle.com [mailto:ton-@sellwoodcycle.com]

Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 6:26 AM

To: cmur-@obra.org

Subject: worlds







Candy, please feel free to post this on OBRA's email list. I'm writing to

not only thank those of you who were generous enough to contribute money for

the trip Rhonda and I made to Zeddam, but, more importnant, I'm writing to

thank everybody here at home for the support. We could feel it from afar,

whether via the nascent fund-raising effort, the in-the-flesh OBRA

contingent actaully at the race, or the phone calls, emails, and visits.

I'm sorry to say that I raced very poorly, and I'm overwhelmingly

disappointed by it. I was well-prepared and on top form, but I had bad legs

for the race, and the bad legs led to a poor head and poor racing. However,

I refused to quit, and I sucked it up. Yes, I was embarrassed, but I would

never forgive myself if I had quit. Rhonda, on the other hand, rode a

brilliant race, beautifully playing the hand she was dealt. Anybody who saw

her race would agree that she is absolutely exciting to watch--she came from

behind, moving up all day. She was easily one of the strongest riders

there, so with a better start posiiton and a little bit more racing savvy,

she would have easily placed in the top-20 and perhaps higher. Barry also

raced well, but had difficult luck. Indded, Rhonda and Barry both rode the

races that I had in me. I also want to comment on how well OBRA makes

riders their own. Young Adam McGrath was treated like a life-long OBRA

member, and that's excellent. He's lucky to have you, but trust me, we're

lucky to have him as well. He starts at U of OR this fall, so we'll be

seeing more of him. Thanks again. --Erik