These are the words which Herodutus used in writing about the war between the Greeks and Persians. And now I apply it to myself. I have told my self that I would not race any more for the past three years. It has only been in the past year that not racing has become a reality. It had become a self civil war between time on the bike and time with my family and other important issues. Striking the balance was a tough task and so I surrendered and chose time with my family.
Almost 4 months ago with agreement of Lenor my wife, we moved our family to Southern Oregon to take a new job. I joined Zedsport Inc. as the Titus face. With their recent move to Portland and my decline to move with them, I have accepted a position within Zedsport to be the Sales and Marketing Manager of their Grammo brand products. The product line is amazing and offers high level product at a great price. Everything from road, MTB frames to high performance carbon wheels and components it has rejuvenated my desire to ride.
With this new position I found myself motivated to get back on the bike to promote the products. What better way to say you should, than by saying I do. So far so good. I have been really back on the bike for a couple weeks and I am starting to feel the fatigue of the early mornings and the miles of steep hills around the Rogue Valley. I must say that I have not seen a more beautiful place than what is here in Southern Oregon.
Never get sick of this view. Mt Mcloughlin
I am also starting to look at the landscape as only a biker does. Silently I question "I wonder what the gradient is on that road?" and excitedly pronounce "That would be a sweet road to ride up". Other traditions that bike riders celebrate such as shaving legs and counting calories may have to be recognized and celebrated once more.
The next step is to incorporate proper rest and nutrition to accommodate the miles and time and gain the necessary fitness needed to be at some competitive level again. All this while of course striking the balance that bike riders often have a hard time finding. Hopefully the past year has given me valuable perspective that will ultimately help me find what Aristotle called the 'Golden Mean', the fine balance on which happiness hangs. I will be doing some local MTB races over the next few months as I try to ramp up for a full Oregon Cyclocross season.
New disc specific CX bike
With a new cross bike coming from Grammo this summer and the already great line of carbon wheels, I want to be out testing and promoting the product while hopefully having a great time racing. I should rephrase that. Racing is never fun but being fit, feeling like I can compete at a high level, and being an example of being goal orientated for my boys, are the reasons that motivates me to get up at 5, dress up like a mummy in lycra, and brave the still cold temperatures of early June. My goal for writing will be some valuable product review, good training ride stories, and any decent race results to keep it interesting.
Toa race ready
