As a cycling coach I strive to put myself in the shoes of those I coach to help them reach their personal best. 

The better I can understand their emotional state, physical abilities, and life obstacles the better I can help propel them towards desired goals.  Most get into recreational and competitive bicycling in their adult years, which I believe helps us to relate to the growth process more easily.  Our shared experiences tie us closer together and provides hope to those we know, and even some we do not know.  When we have others to learn from and to look up to it gives us motivation to clip in and pedal. 

I recall with vividness the difficulties I endured when I first decided to race competitively.  The struggles were equally mental and physical, balanced with a lot of ignorance; not stupidity, but rather I did not know what I did not know!  You watch races and hear stories from friends, and it can sound very overwhelming and impossible.  I am here to tell you it is manageable and doable!  One of my favorite sayings is, “Fear is a lie.”  Remember that one and repeat it often.

If you want hard evidence then come watch the Wednesday night criterium races at LP Field.  Every race from Category 5 to Women to Pro/1/2/3 are all littered with riders who not long ago had zero understanding of bicycle racing.  Watch closely and you will see everyone greatly enjoying themselves, regardless of where they finish the race.  I believe athletics provide the golden opportunity to learn not what we are capable of athletically, but rather what we are capable of as people desiring to become our best in all we do.  There is a gap between where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow, and as you close that gap you will learn things about yourself you have never even imagined.  The real joy in bicycling is found in what you will learn about yourself and others while you are bridging that gap.

Now back to those shoes….

I took the route most bicyclists take; I imagined myself having fun on a bicycle, but then I went into sticker shock at the cost!  Not to be deterred I saved for four months and finally bought one during the Spring of 1998.  I ended up with CAAD 4 Cannondale that set me back a little over $1,600.  I began riding with the good people of Pro Cycles in Stuart, Florida, whose help and encouragement in those initial months were invaluable.  I joined their club rides with the Treasure Coast Cycling Association, and soon found myself going to bed early on Friday night so I could join their early Saturday club ride.  This was a daunting 37 mile challenge out to the power plant and back, and I remember thinking there is no way I can ride that far!  Not only did I do it but I was riding alongside some of their stronger riders towards the front.  Many of their club riders were complimenting and encouraging me, which is something every bicyclist needs to hear.  I will never forget turning down a Friday night date with a cute girl because I was getting up early for the club ride the next morning.  I remember thinking to myself, “Dear God, what is going on here!  How am I more excited about a bike ride?”

Going from a beginner bicyclist to club rider to Cat 1 racer is a long drawn out odyssey, a trial in patience also filled with an unexpected shrinking process.  It may shock you to know I weighed just under 235 pounds when I began bicycling, but now I weigh between 172 to 180 depending on the time of year.  It is still hard to believe I am 25% less of who I was in 1998.  I have gone from battling century riding buddies up hills (begging to avoid them actually) to now regularly racing amongst America’s fastest professional cyclists.  I was 28 years old when I started bicycling and am now 41 years young.  Never allow your age to prevent you from aiming high and going for it! 

Every step and pedal stroke along the way have been tough.  If this sport had come easy I would have quit a long time ago.  Deep down I believe we all truly enjoy the suffering this sport provides, whether it is tackling a ride like 3 State 3 Mountain or toeing the line at an NRC level event.  For me personally, finishing the Athens Twilight Pro/1 race was no more difficult than my first 37 mile club ride down in Florida.  Athens is the fastest race I have ever completed (30+ mph average), but in my personal history book both were equally difficult milestones.

Have you considered what you want to achieve or accomplish through bicycling?  I believe it is important to have a vision of where you want to see yourself in the short-term future as a bicyclist, and as that develops you will begin to desire long-term goals.  Your goal may not be to race at the highest levels in the sport, but you should at least aspire to be the best you can be in the moment.  As time passes your experiences will compound themselves into positive outcomes, and with patience the cumulative effect of your hard work will result in a life well lived.

In future writings I will share more about my personal development from a novice bicyclist to Cat 1 racer.  I will take you through my experiences of climbing the ladder at each level, and I will share the subtle differences I went through along the way.  I realize our paths are unique and that my way is certainly not “the” way.  However, I do want to light a spark to help you to reach your personal best; because I assure you – at this very moment someone is looking up to you.