I was thinking about why most of us bother to race when we obviously aren't going to win anything and even if we do it doesn't mean much more than a pat on the back and maybe the admiration of a few friends. Obviously there's the fun of it, but a lot of us even get to that point that we would admit that we would have more pure fun just going and riding and not dealing with all the racing hoopla. I decided that for me, it's about what racing teaches you. It teaches you about yourself, your limits, conquering fear and pain, and any other number of things related to the competitive aspect of it. For me, I think the biggest thing I have learned is perspective. When I started, like a lot of people, I tended to judge my competitors based on performance. I looked up to the fast guys and down on the slower guys. After 7 years of racing, I have realized what a mistake that is. Speed on a bicycle is a very poor measurement of character, and now when I look at a results sheet I care a lot more about seeing someone who I know has worked hard show some improvement than I do about just seeing who went fastest. No one did anything to deserve the amount talent they we're born with, it's just about making the most with what you've got.
So seeing as how we're all buried in snow right now, what life lesson gems have you gleaned from bike racing?
So seeing as how we're all buried in snow right now, what life lesson gems have you gleaned from bike racing?