Larry Keel, the problem with Competetive Cycling

Three hours on the cross bike this afternoon, in the rain. Almost forgot how much I love that bike. 39x18 and knobby tires are the perfect combo so far as I'm concerned. No one out on the greenway today, guess it had something to do with the rain. Literally saw one lady out there. Almost felt like cross season again. Did I mention I love that bike (the one pictured at the top).

Read an interesting quote the other day, made me stop and think a little. Actually a lot. "When you try to beat the other guy, you test the other man's weaknesses and not your own." Heavy stuff. Pretty much ruined my mountain bike season. It's pretty profound, though, if you think about it. I mean, I started mountain biking for the speed, the thrill, the risk, the skill, the dirt, the spills, and because I grew up in a perfect place for it. I didn't start out doing it so I could prove that I was better than someone else. Mountain Bike Racing really doesn't serve much purpose for me anymore. I know I can ride a bike through the woods pretty fast, faster than most people actually, but what does that really matter. I still get tired, I still often bag a ride after 2 hours instead of pushing to 3. There are ways to push myself, to push my own limits that I haven't tried, in part because I'm satisfied to show up at some local race and ride faster than a few guys. It's pretty much a waste of time and money. With the money I spent driving to N.C. for a race a few weeks ago, I could have driven to Colorado and camped and ridden for days.

Of course, this does not apply to Cyclocross. I still plan to show up at the local race and race the locals, on a single speed, then try not to puke and hopefully pat myself on the back at the end of the day. There's something about that that I just won't be able to shake. Long live Cross. The CX1's are going to have their hands full with this tights wearing, beer schwillin' single speed rider come fall. If I give up on my Cross dreams now I'll just get fat...