Mar 26, 2022

I IDENTIFY AS...

IT WAS A ROUGH ONE TODAY. While I led my class up the long opening climb and down the riproaring singletrack. It didn't last forever...

... and I was left questioning my identity.

Not because my legs felt dead, not because I was beaten by better men. But, because I just didn't have it.

I didn't have what it takes to ride all out at a legit mountain bike race.

Halfway through I started to day dream, and tire out.

It can happen out here.

The terrain is gorgeous and the views expansive. Due to the very twisty course you never really see anybody unless you're right on their wheel. I found myself digging the vibe of nature...

... rather than blasting every berm.

And, just like that the fellas passed me and disappeared.

Which left me time to consider what kind of a racer I am at this point:

Roadie
MTBr
Graveler

I'm not even sure because I'm spending 1-2 days each week on each bike.

Am I a triathlete then?

Say it ain't so!

After a pleasant rest of the day, talking to friends. Rehashing it all. Hatching plans for the next one I had an interesting conversation with Nic Beeschan.

Nic beat everybody today, by a lot.

He's a pro.
Lives in a small mountain community.
He only rides MTB.

And there it was.

To perform at my very best, to get those last percentages of performance, I'm going to have to specialize, go back to my roots...

... it's pretty clear.

If you don't have "it",
you've got to get "it".

Or, maybe I should stop identifying as a 20y/o punk...

... and go visit my grandson?

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/changing-ponchos

No, I don't have pics of what I'm about to share, you'll have to take my word.

There we were, chatting and eating some lunch and the ladies across the way roll in after their race.

Next thing we all know, much to our disbelief said ladies strip and change.