I thought about cycling some, but not much. I endured summer thunder and winter snow…. Nobody bothered me much, and I wrote a column in a local news paper about my life in the woods.
Fifteen years consulting as a geologist and geophysicist; from California to New York, year after year…. Feeling as if my efforts were just a “stage act” – corporate obligations fulfilled…. I desperately needed meaning. I needed the stillness of the woods. And I did that three years.
I was done with the deprived life after three years and I settled into a place with cable TV and lights that came on with the flick of a switch. Not long after, It occurred to me to start riding bicycles again. And I did.
I raced in the 1980’s, but as a young man, I was hyper competitive. After 15 years consulting as a geologist, then three years in the woods, alone – cycling came back to me as a purity – a life-philosophy; a way of life.
I’ve been back racing five years now. And I have not won very many races. I will probably never win many more. And that doesn’t matter to me. I feel strong, and I feel qualified to race in my field.
There are many things that I love in my life. I love my Son most of all. I love the woods, and the memories of my life at the cabin. But my heart and soul belong to the men and women who share a passion with me for cycling.
Cycling and racing is as much a sanctuary as the woods were, those years at the cabin. I probably will never win another race. But I will train my heart out. I do this, because my brothers and sisters on wheels do the same…. They ride, sometimes with me, sometimes on their own…
While I may not be a good enough cyclist to Win the big races, I am fulfilled sharing a love with you, who ever you are.
In so far as I will do well with a pack finish, I race for all of my cycling friends – Jack most of all.
MY BIKE SHOP IS CUMBERLAND CYCLES…. Marc Travis is one of the most knowledgeable bike geeks I know. I will ride for this club, this shop and this club for as long as I can turn a crank.
Let make 2011 a great year!
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