Adventure

 Walking through a large shopping store the other day (ok, it was Target), I hear a young child clamouring to their parent in the sports section, "This one, Mom...I like this bike!!"  Ah, the sound of a young Paduwan cycling student anxious to take possession of their first velocipede steed---brings tears to me eyes (spoken in ol' Gaelic tones)!  The amused mom, however, deflated that moment for me--and most likely for the child as well--with the response, "Ok, we'll let Santa know you want that toy for Christmas."   Uh, wait....TOY ?  

One of the many awesome and beautiful characteristics of the bike is it's not just simply a toy and not just simply an exercise machine; the bike is also a transporting vehicle, one to take you from places of exploration and discovery to solitude and self-reflection.  Renown cycling author Bill Strickland writes, "When you're young, the bike helps you discover the world past the sidewalk, beyond the next block, and off onto the horizon; even after you're all grown up, the bike will still be young, begging you to find out what's around that next corner."  How inviting to consider my bike begs me to seek out adventure---what a great thought!  Nonetheless, as we age and become more accustomed to regularly "adulting" activities of attending to a job, establishing a residence and family, and finding a neighborhood to call "home", the bike also becomes a vehicle for exploring your own backyard, a potential wonderland filled with things you might miss in the quest of finding the horizon...

I've explored a few horizons in my cycling lifetime---have you?  I've ridden many of the by-ways of Northern Virginia through dense oak and ash tree-line backroads, paved and graveled, leading out into lush farm lands marked by wood railed fences or natural evergreen thickets clearly delineating property boundaries; I've ridden the cross-connecting pathways of Deal Island on the Maryland Eastern Shore, a stone's throw from the Virginia State line, venturing through the densely wooded areas of the broad, flatland marshes of an established state wildlife management area within a community holding a 400+year old heritage. 

 I've ridden the beautiful backroads of France, meandering down incredible valley paths no wider than a car's width and ascended notable Alps and Pyrennes by-ways climbing high into the sky, the spirits of past velo legends echoing the calls of "Allez! Allez! Allez!" with each turnover of the cranks.

  I've joined 10,000K+ other cyclists venturing across the state of Iowa for the annual RAGBRAI event, now in its 48th year of existence, where a collective community of cycling enthusiasts participate in daily dawn-till-dusk "rolling county fair" like ride adventures surrounded by thousands of cycling compatriots. 

I've ridden 150+ mile epic rides which started out simply as a 40 or 60 mi ride exploring a new route only to get lost along the way--sometimes intentionally--resulting in memorable reflections and noteworthy moments with dear friends.  I've ridden to the static noise generated by my rollers or static trainer while streaming a favorite film or viewing cycling races of yesteryear on YouTube, the white noise of the spinning wheels casting aside all awareness of time & space. 

And at times in the late evening when home activities have made their final turn for the day's closure, I'll take a quiet moment just to sit on my bike or stride the top-tube, resting my forearms on the hand bars and reminisce of ride adventures past and envision ciclista escapades of the future...

  I deeply treasure and am grateful for every cycling adventure, be them far-flung or short-drawn, throughout my life, even those which seemed boring---often, these become some of the best of all!  The bike has ushered me into introductions of warm experiences from foreign worlds which would otherwise be distant--if occurring at all--from behind the wheel or the seat of a car.  Nevertheless, the favorite rides of my route library originate right at my back door---the AF Academy loop or Woodmoor Hills circlet or Palmer Lake circle along the Rocky Mountain Front Range foothills in Colorado Springs, CO, each holding a vast mixture of juvenile rolling hills and leg-busting climbs, their twisting and interwoven paths teaching me just as much about myself as they do about efficient riding....as so many of these library entries do.  Cyclists will always desire new adventure, whether fresh routes & trails or strange and unknown destinations; but we also need a home, a course we know deeply well as much as we know ourselves, as if a friend waiting patiently who calls for us to come out to play...

I hope your next adventure--cycling or otherwise--proves to be rewarding, renewing, and remarkable...don't forget to share it with those you treasure and love. :-)   

#EnjoyTheRide #NowNotTomorrow #LifeShapings  

New

I got meet my new grandson this week, Robby; man, is he absolutely A-DOR-A-BLE!! Because of current pandemic constraint guidelines imposed by the hospital where Robby was delivered, my wife & I were not able to be present the day he was born, but once he was released to go home, Oma (my wife) and I were egar to hold this new addition to the family in our arms & close to our hearts...Opa is one happy Opa. 😊💕

During those moments of holding my grandson, gazing upon his face, watching him breathe, sometimes offering a slow stretch or a yawn, and soaking in his tender presence, nothing else mattered...nothing. Being "new" has that impact; "new" has no rules sets to follow, no guidelines under which to operate, pushing everything else aside and taking center stage of focus and attention---rightly so for a new born...not so much for other things.  Like the term "social distance", a new addition to our global lexicon, or wearing masks regularly, a new accoutrement to our daily wardrobes, or other similar new-nesses introduced to our lives this past year.  Even the term "new" has taken on a different meaning, where once filled with anticipation and charm is now seasoned with a greater sense of unknown and mystique, even fear...

From an athlete's perspective, things that are "new" bring opportunities for hope---hope for increased skills, hope for improved performance, hope for better results.  Yet often, "new" is met with resistance due to the introduction of change invariably accompanying anything "new".  As a coach, I often must push beyond my own bias towards "new" in order to experience and comprehend what is being introduced and its benefits---holding onto training methods and processes of the past considered to be "normal", though still valuable and proven resources, creates interference and friction, not only to me as an instructor & guide but to my clients who may potentially benefit from that which is "new".

Scripture reminds me how Jehovah Jira (a name of God in the Old Testament) instructed His people to "not dwell on the past" but to look forward to the "new springing up in wilderness" (Isaiah 43:18-19).  For many of us, this past year of 2020 has been a "wilderness", one which the "new" brought fear and doubt; as we move into the Holiday Season and into the NEW Year, may we all be mindful of former things but not dwell on them, may we be aware of the NEW and its presence, and may we earnestly seek to create ways for bringing "streams into the wastelands" within our circles of influence and impact, both personally and professionally.  

Holiday Blessings & Treasured Memories to you this Holiday Season & New Year!

Fatigued

I was tired...so very tired. Due to a legal loophole and lenient interpretation (and leverage) of the leasing agreement between the homeowners of the rental home we occupied in Virginia and the property management office "caring" for the property, our family was "asked" to vacate the home within 5 days time (including the July 4th weekend, it's actually 4 days). Translation: rent two moving trucks in 24 hrs, pack up EVERYTHING in the house yourselves (with assistance from several amazing friends 😌👍👏💕), load the trucks, and clean the house...all in 4 days time. Then, drive said vehicles to Colorado ahead of my new duty assignment...yeah, I was tired.

Life runs that way sometimes, doesn't it?  Orderly schedules and efficient routines suddenly get replaced with chaordic (chaos + order) activities, over and over and over---makes me tired just thinking about it! 😟  Fortunately, we were able to meet the mandated deadlines placed upon us and complete our family's relocation to our new home with little additional drama, though I had to return to Virginia due to work transition constraints, delaying my reunion with the family by 3 wks---compared to the earlier "adventures", I'll take it...🥴  

Scripture is a central component in life often serving as a compass for re-channeling wayward and distracted thoughts; throughout those stressfully pressure-filled hours over the pre-July 4th weekend and during the days & weeks that followed our family's expedited transition across country, the verses from the book of Psalms bathed my soul & spirit in waves of reassurance, just as they did their author, King David, on how the challenges & pains faced in life are temporary.  "Weeping may stay for the night," penned the young Hebrew king, "but rejoicing comes in the morning!" [Pslam 30:5]  In parallel, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah proclaims "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." [Isaiah 40:31]---spirit renewing counsel for my soul from stellar men of faith...

The arrival to our new home in Colorado has indeed brought elements of joy to our family, and though some challenges remain through this transition, our days are welcomed with joyful anticipation, for each other and for our individual selves.  And through this very physically-draining transition, I have come to realize that just as an athlete with deep conviction and desire can far exceed their boundaries of physical performance, so can people inspired by the deepest faith, hope, and love of family and friends overcome the spirit-draining weariness and fatigue the secular world presents in life regularly---the key lies within the bonds of community & fellowship with those who lift our very souls above the mediocrity standards of secular realm...

Fatigue---like weeping---is temporary; striving for and achieving joy---true joy---is worth the journey. 😊

Weary

During the current global environment of societal isolation, there's been a lot--A LOT--of movie and TV binge watching of favorite films and series from a variety of genres and subjects and characters, many of them fictional yet identifying and resonating to many.  And while many of those characters may be "other-worldly" in physical, mental, and/or character abilities, there are elements of their own "human" nature conveyed by the character which seemingly form "connections" to the viewer.  For me, I've always been a big fan of Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, not so much for his heroic physical endeavors but for his deeply abiding commitment to doing the RIGHT thing.  Recently, while watching various film segments on YouTube of Cap being Cap, I came across a scene from the ever-popular action adventure film, Avengers: Endgame where Cap has been battling Thanos the Titan alongside his trusted and ever supportive collegues Iron Man and Thor; nearly beaten and exhausted from the extensive effort to defeat the evil menace intent upon bringing an end to the universe, the expression in Cap's eyes conveys the description of being weary---drained of hope, completely spent and worn-out, and of shattered.  Being weary can disconnect one from the very essence of their core, leaving them isolated, fearful, and lost...

It goes without saying there is a present atmosphere of weariness these days as our communities, let alone the global community, continue to face the impacts and effects of the current pandemic, to the point of levying a seemingly ever-present spirit of sadness.  So what then do we do?  How do we face the tough times of the present day...how do we manage seeming dark days?  Sadly, there are many, many vices available to numb and distract one from what is important and necessary; hopefully--and prayerfully--the rise of building connections that matter within our living areas, our neighborhoods, and our communities mitigate those ill-willed vices from having a foothold, offering even the smallest glimmer of hope and assurance...

As an athlete and coach, I sometimes become deeply puzzled or confused when training sessions and planned activities executed over several weeks, even months, do not produce the desired intended results after painstakingly preparing and investing more than ample amounts of time & effort--true in other disciplined life commitments as well.  During these times of perplexity, I can be easily distracted by the "weariness" of my efforts which seem to produce little or no results regardless of what I do to "fix" it...

 It is in those shadowed, even dark at times, moments I'm reminded from Scripture to "press on to the prize to which I have been called." [Phil 3:13-14].  Being a committed athlete necessitates a committed work ethos; being a committed co-worker and employee requires dedicated loyalty & service; being a committed husband...father...friend...professional---name your role---entails being resolute towards achieving the desired destination...to press on...to STRIVE.  "The act of striving, " Madeleine Albright once remarked, "is in itself the only way to keep faith with life."--so true in the roles we select to pursue and to which we dedicate our time; truer still in the relationships in which we find ourselves and seek.  And it is in that striving of life I find relief from my own weariness, for I do so in the camaraderie and fellowship of family and friends, of mentors and ministers, of coaches and collaborators, all bathed and clothed in the spirit of living lives of service and passion---there can be no better way to keep faith in life!

Drained of hope, completely spent and worn-out, and shattered---we've all been there, we've all experience those shadows, we've all known the taste of weariness in various forms; yet, just as Captain America's countenance & spirit was  immediately strengthened when Sam Wilson (aka Falcon) called out "On your left" as he entered the battle through the time-portal (along with thousands of fellow warriors), so do you and I when a close friend or confidant enters the troubled arenas of our lives, essentially our own personal "on your left" moments.

So....who's your "Falcon"?  Who's called out "on your left" to you when you were weary and lost of hope?  Who is the one who encourages you to keep your faith with life?  Find them....and love them, now and always. 

14 Days

Two weeks....it's been two weeks since I've really been on my bike.  Seriously...14 days--336 hours....20,160 minutes...1,209,600 seconds since the last time I swung my leg over the top tube, clipped my feet into the pedals, and rolled out onto a favorite ride route or indoors on my rollers.  Had this been mid-cycling season and I needed to take a break, that would be one thing or to have had an injury requiring an interim recovery period, that would be another; to have been on an extended family vacation committing time with my loved ones or to have intentionally been away on a ministry-service trip would be an admirably responsible reason to have been off and away from my bike---I have none of these offerings...

The end of the calendar year not only ushers in the Holiday Season but affords opportunity for personal reflection---what has been accomplished, what has been learned, what moments were experienced, what openings were missed.  It also opens the vaults of memory to Season's past, of cherished reflections and treasured recollections, of flashbacks to events and ventures filled with joy, even some with tears.  I may have been off my bike for two weeks now, but during that time--particularly in light of the Holidays--I am gratefully mindful of the delightful elation riding a bike brings me and the library of treasured memories it holds.  Renown cycling author Bill Strickland once wrote, "There is no finer sport, few that are so close to the many moods of the human heart."  Indeed, riding a bike can be blur-your-eyes-speed partnered to casual recreational spin pendulum experiences; a contrast of the Mardi Gras rolling caravans of the Tour De France and an early morning Saturday training ride across whisper quiet roads through the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills of northern Virginia.  I recall with great fondness the many commuting rides with my dearest friend from Bolling AFB through Washington DC to the Pentagon where we were stationed nearly 20 years ago and how those rides shaped not only our physical and mental natures but also deepened our friendship and brotherhood...great recollection gifts this Holiday Season!

Fourteen days...the same amount of time sociologists and psychologists across the globe have declared and documented it takes to form life-long habits and disciplines; the same amount of time it takes for our weakend immune systems to successfully battle and overcome the common cold virus; the same amount of time it takes to---well, think about what takes YOU two weeks to accomplish?  In just a few days the calendar date will turn to the year 2020 (enter applicable Barbara Walters joke here) and with it the traditional formulation of "resolutions" as proverbial personal guidelines for the next 12 months. May I encourage you, Reader, to make ONE resolution---commit yourself to 14 days of life-shaping engagements in your world.  For 14 days, be intentionally kind & serving...for two weeks, give your co-workers and supervisors your B-E-S-T (Believe in them, Encourage them, Support them, Trust them)...for a fortnight, laugh deeply with friends and family---who knows what will happen in those 14 days! One thing's for sure; the first two weeks of 2020 holds life-long opportunity---here's to yours and to the journey ahead!

#LifeShapings  #NowNotTomorrow

Winding Down

The name of the month on the calendar took me aback---November. Really, it's November? As in the 11th month of 2019? As in we just finished Halloween, shortly we'll be carving the turkey, cranberry brisket, and pecan pie, and then posting Christmas decorations throughout the house November? Wow---I do enjoy the fall foliage, though...

I'd like to say I was able to sustain a regular training routine in my cycling activities during this past year, but I cannot---no excuses, though I could claim several...I simply didn't keep the focus to do what I needed to as an athlete.  Life events make that decision path easy; string several of those decisions together over the course of a season...or a career...or a relationship...or a lifetime...and you end up facing the shadowy figure of regret.  For many, this past year may have easily gone that way; graciously and thankfully for most of us (hopefully) it did not...

As 2019 begins its initial descent into the final quarter of the year, I am grateful for the opportunities this cycling season to ride with my fellow Pacers teammates, albeit limited; though my personal cycling fitness has been far from the desired performance level, the encouragement & fellowship of these dear Friends have been a solacing inspiration to my spirit again--a true and genuine treasure, indeed. :-) And though my cycling adventures this season have be minimal, the opportunities afforded to have coached other athletes in their pursuits of excellence and health and to rebuild a bike for a friend has brought their own measure of fulfillment and gratitude--again, treasures indeed...

Yeah, I'm already thinking about the 2020 cycling season ahead, but there's a few good rides still left in 2019...tighten up the Boa's & let's go!

Starting Over

There's a line from the movie "Forrest Gump" where the title character & his cohort, Lt Dan, are celebrating New Year's Eve with lady friends, one of whom remarks "It's like everyone gets another chance to start over"...

It goes without saying that life is full of the unexpected and the unexplained; I might  experience failure and personal struggle, may come across circumstances where I have to let something or some relationship go, albeit reluctantly, or be denied an achievement for which I have fervently and committedly striven.  As those seemingly dark moments draw to a close---and they will, I remind myself---I long to "start over" and get to "new arenas" and new ventures...

For our family, the dawn of 2019 is indeed a milestone opportunity to "start over"; our house of 12 years damaged by a lightning strike fire last year has finally been restored and returned to beautiful condition, my widowed father (Mom passed in late 2017) has found his "niche" with new friends and with a church fellowship who have warmly embraced him into their activities (rather appropriate for a retired pastor), and the adoption process for our daughter & son-in-law's foster child is closing in on the final stages of a very long process---bottom line, "starting over" brings a whole new meaning to our family more than just a New Year...

I'd like to say I was able to sustain a regular training routine in my cycling activities during this past year, but I cannot---no excuses, though I could claim several...I simply didn't keep the focus to do what I needed to as an athlete.  Life events make that decision path easy; string several of those decisions together over the course of a season...or a career...or a relationship...or a lifetime...and you end up facing the shadowy figure of regret.  Our family's 2018 could have easily gone that way; graciously and thankfully it did not...

2019 is, indeed, an opportunity to start over, particularly for me as an athlete and coach. I was fortunate to attend the annual National Cycling Coaches Summit in Colorado Springs, was asked again to coach a dear friend to achieve her second 162 kilometer charity bike ride (100 miles for those metrically challenged :-) ), and have returned to my own personal training schedule in the evenings using my stationary trainer & rollers.  Though I am far from the performance level desired, the encouragement & momentum is a solacing inspiration to my spirit, one I have missed for quite some time--nice to breathe in its presence again...

I get another chance to start over in 2019, and it will indeed be a good one...what are you going to do with your second chance?

#LifeShapings  #NowNotTomorrow  #BeBetter

Trees

In the parking lot of the office building where I work stands two small maple trees planted firmly in the earthen divider separating two large parking areas; other than the vibrant green grass, these two trees are the only living plants present on the divider separating the parking area.  Often when I arrive each morning, I will park in the space allocated directly between these two trees, my "default" parking space as it were...

Recently as I pulled into "my" parking space, I distinctly noticed each tree was position just outside the white demarcation lines of the parking slot, as if "standing guard" over a designated area of assignment.  It also reminded me of two trees referenced in Scripture, one tree in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, the other tree in the last book, Revelation; the Scripture informs the reader how both trees bring life, both are highly regarded and of eternal value, both are central to the faith walk of a Christian--indeed, an iconic image.

My mother loved trees, particularly redwoods & sequoias; she also loved the vibrant colors of the fall from merged blends of maple, ash, and oak trees throughout the mid-Atlantic region where I live and enjoyed her visits with our family not only to be showered in our love and affection but also to soak in the majesty of color by the trees.  Sadly, Mom passed away before Thanksgiving this year, leaving us precious and treasured memories of mountain drives & light excursions across the Virginia countryside from past visits and heart-ache desires for one more trek with her into the trees...

Today as I parked in "my" parking space, I'm reminded of life "between the trees", how Mom lived each day for her family & friends in loving and dedicated service & support, how she took time to marvel the stateliness of what reflected beauty and merited her admiration, and how her own life "between the trees" had been rich & precious...

Words are not enough to tell you of my love for you, Mom; for now, I'll keep parking between the trees with you close in heart. :`-)

Repairs

A close friend of mine brought me his old Peugeot bicycle (circa 1970) a while back asking if I could "give it a new chain & some tires for me to go ride"...

My first thought (as I'm sure was yours after seeing the picture above) was "No, you need a new bike", however, I could tell in my friend's demeanor with this near-obsolete velocipede this was something special.  When I asked about the bike's history, his response told the story: "This was a gift from my Dad--who knows, maybe someday I'll hand it down to one of my boys."  Right there in a single sentence the focus of my task became one of cementing a heritage connection versus a simple bike restoration...

After researching vintage bike parts, serial numbers, wheel specifications, and various other data points, I began the repair & restoration process to my friend's beloved bike, which from my research turned out to be a vintage 1970 Peugeot PX-10 built in Marseilles, France--a highly popular bike ridden by professional cyclists during the Eddie Merckx era (if you don't know about Eddie, click here--now you know Eddie :-) )  Five weeks later and a bit of elbow grease & great tool-assists from my friends at Arrow Bicycle, the bike of my friend's heritage returned...needless to say, he was pretty pleased--so was I :-)

Repairs take time--time to plan, time to gather resources, time to execute, time to finish, time to appreciate; they're investments of self, labors of love, symphonies of commitment.  Repairs bring restoration, renewal, and revival. Indeed, I was so very pleased by the outcome of this "repair"--part of my friend's heritage had been restored, joyful & cherished memories of that gift renewed, the hope of extending that heritage to his own children revived...Bikes are very much the friend with whom private & confidential conversations are levied where hopes and dreams are shared and deepest fears and anxieties are held in secret; if this "repaired" bike could speak, I'm sure it would have much to say, yet would only do so ever so quietly and unobtrusively with its rider, my friend, for whom this bike meant so much, as did the results of the repair and restoration.  Beyond a cyclist's context of recreation or sport, of travel or commuting, our bikes mean something--it meant something equally to the likes of Picasso and Duchamp (famous artists) and to Paul Newman's & Katherine Ross's characters in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"....it meant something to my friend as well--thanks for letting me be part of that heritage story "something". :-)
 

#EnjoyTheRide

Reflection

Gaze into a clear pool of water or a perfectly smooth pane of glass what do you see--a reflecting image, of course...a "copy" or dopple-ganger, if you will. Though a specific and direct representation of its origin, the reflection is only an image without substance, form, or function other than representing its originating source.  Its purpose is to exemplify and represent...

Now over a month into the new year, spending time "reflecting" on my life's image from the past year is akin to a silver smith examining their product through a refiner's fire--I've discovered these self-reflections are more revealing than I assumed or intended; I've learned the training efforts in which I've previously engaged do not correlate to the level of work required to achieve desired objectives; I've perceived my tolerance for adjusting the bar of quality occurs with less resistance than in the past (insert frowning emojie here); I've recognized the things which drive me are not always the things which give me cause to sing...

"So, what do you plan to do?", 

may ask...

Simple...just as the silver smith continues kindling fire assaying ore beads until they see their own reflection in the precious metal, so must I continue to refine and be reminded of three core tenants of life: never sacrifice what you want most for what you want in the moment, to train like you work, and to do the work--true as an athlete, even moreso in life...

(Please excuse me--the road is calling... :-) )

Expectation

I was born to a ministering set of parents; my father a career pastor (55+yrs now), my mother a nursing professional for more than 30 yrs--quite remarkable by today's standards of occupational longevity.  Being the senior of their three children, many extended family members and friends speculated to my parents which career path I would follow--pastoral or medical--as I grew older, unintentionally no doubt broadcasting an expectation upon my future, assumed or otherwise.  To their credit and my mentoring, Mom & Dad attended very little merit to those specific expectations over the years, opting instead to encourage the pursuit of my own career path desires & fostering the growth of my own "expectations"...

So, what then are MY expectations?  During this "Chasing Yellow" adventure, I've held several--committing to a solid training discipline, completing 3000+ annual training miles, participating in 5 time trial races, eating better, stretching every morning & evening, going to bed earlier...nothing extraordinary, but expectations nonetheless.  But there are other expectations for myself as well--pray everyday, communicate love & appreciation to family & friends everyday, show kindness to others everyday, give my best to co-workers & supervisors everyday, to seek excellence everyday--EVERYDAY holds expectations...

It's been said the expectations of life depend upon diligence; the expectation of "Chasing Yellow", then, is not about achieving success, but rather an expectation of diligence in commitment & effort...

To quote Todd Beamer, "Let's Roll"

Essence

It's been awhile...oh, I've been on my bike often since the first showering of spring arrived back in March, even a bit before back in February as winter wrestled its seasonal spring sibling for climate real estate.  But the rides occurring then are definitely not the riding of present-day ventures--these days, my velo sessions take place at night in the quiet confines of my garage, bike mounted firmly in the Cyclops trainer and the latest training video from Sufferfest (www.sufferfest.com) or a selection from my own personal training slideshow running on the laptop, a small oscillating fan drifting side-to-side as if shaking its head warning me "This isn't going to be easy"--focused training never is.  It's been awhile...

It's also been awhile since I've spent time with my father-in-law, up  from Texas for a visit and joining in the family festivities of celebrating my youngest daughter's collegiate graduation.

  An admirable man of faith & compassion, "Pops" (as my father-in-law is known) personifies the essence of joy as he interacts with all of us, being playfully ornery at various moments throughout the day, enjoying any board or card game placed before him with the fervor of a child a Christmas or taking in masterful soundtracks on the stereo like a dry sponge immersed in a wash-basin.  Pops is also the essence of thoughtful ponderings, often offering inquiries without any intention of getting an answer ("I wonder if Abraham Lincoln had a photographic memory?"), his very questions tilling my own cerebral soil inviting ponderings of my own ("I wonder if Pops does this on purpose?" :-) )  An ever-infectious smile and deeply abiding faith reflect his essence as a cherished father, mentor, and friend.  It's been awhile...

As I consider the notion and significance of the term "essence", I'm reminded exposure to that which transforms body, mind, heart, and soul mandates the disciplined art of presence--to be a better time-trial cyclist I need to be present & focused on training; to become an admirable and humble man of faith & devotion, I need to spend time with men like Pops...

"Essence", then, requires exposure & presence... Thanks for the visit, Pops--may it not be so long 'til the next one :-)

Change

Things change---seasons...jobs...relationships...life itself is a petri dish for change. "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you."..."The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new."..."Sometimes the things we can't change end up changing us."...

The arrival of spring is accompanied by opportunities for personal change, too:

- Your diet
- Your living conditions
- Your personal training
(physical, mental, emotional, spiritual...all the above)
- Your _______ (pick one :-)

Personally, I look forward to changes the 2016 cycling season will bring...

- Training sessions (open road or indoor trainer)
- Long weekend rides across familiar training routes--like greeting an ol' friend - Coffee stops in places where we didn't know a coffee shop existed - New cycling clothes :-) - Losing the rest of the lingering pounds from Thanksgiving dinner - Participating in charity events like the Tour De Cure, Bike MS, Eat-A-Peach Ride, Salisbury Century, Lakes & Grapes, Cannonball Run, and others
- Obtaining a professional cycle mechanic certification - Racing....watching and participating 
- Meeting new friends who share my passion for cycling - Being with friends & family - Being on the bike

 Hope the changes of your season are welcoming and rewarding...Enjoy!

Long Over Due

Wow, has it really been January since my last post here--say it isn't so!  Ok...so it is.
This season's Chasing Yellow ventures have turned out to less about cycling & more about life events than anything--daughter's senior recital, attending to aging parents needs on the West Cost, filling in as the interim division chief at work while the boss is out for 7 weeks on convalescent leave...ah, the ever-present rhythm of life! 

 

 

 

Though my cycling ventures have been somewhat curtailed this season, I still hold motivation to train & to ride--cyclists are just that way. :-P  I've also discovered new training materials to incorporate into my regular routine like the Sufferfest series (http://www.sufferlandria.com/) ,The Col Collective (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheColCollective

), and Zwift Island (www.zwift.com) which some may find rather "intense" considering session names like "The Wretched", "Hell Hath No Fury", and "A Very Dark Place"---call me demented, but they're nothing short of a dump truck full of awesome...

As the fall season settles continues to settle into its own rhythm, my cyclocross pals are eagerly readying themselves for their next muddied outings & ventures across the CX landscape;

someday, I just might join them, but for now I'll stick with Lenny & Gino as my velocipede partners in my continued pursuit of quality training and hopefully solid results.  To be a cyclist is to be a student of endurance, of motivation, and sometimes pain.  This sport is, indeed, filled with seamless pace lines & group-ride fun, of secret single-track routes, post-ride culinary dives, and soft muscle tissue transformed to wonderfully firm stature; but at cycling's core lies pain & work, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach.
It doesn't matter if you're sprinting for Olympic gold, a local criterium finish line, the trailhead terminus, or the next rest stop on a century ride for homemade brownies--if you never confront the associated pain, you miss the essence & work ethos of sport.

When once asked about what he considered best training practices, cycling legend Eddy Merckx responded, "Ride...ride lots."  Sounds reasonable...I hear my trainer calling, time to head to the garage.

Need for Speed

Bike racing is such a small part of cycling; of the approximately 50+ million people ride bikes in the U.S., nearly 35,000 possess a mountain bike racing license, another 35,000+ have road bike racing licenses, and almost 12, 000 obsessive "freaks" hold both licenses, meaning out of some 50+ million bike riders, less than 1% (0.114 to be exact) actually race their bike.  Even from the origins of bike racing in Europe, racers are significantly outnumbered by commuters and recreational riders...



 

 

 

And yet, racing remains a significant part of cycling; get on your bike and it begs you to go somewhere--fast! Cycling is racing, whether it's a friend, a chasing dog, a leaf blown by the wind, a time mark from one telephone pole to another, an approaching storm (been there!), another rider in the distance, or even our own mortality; racing can be many things--brutal, beautiful, destructive, redemptive, awful, and awe-filled.  Every rider who has lined up on a start line knows the taste of razored pain--many event like it--that afterward leaves the participant feeling sharpened and razored, as if the protective coating against the barbs of life has been excised away, leaving one open to thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and sensations otherwise filtered out any other day. Soulful reasons aside, most riders pay entry fees to race to be recognized as warriors or even winners, or to test themselves or see where they compare amongst their peers; but there are so many more riders who for the same reasons choose not to dance with razored-pain, yet their races aren't less important, just more private...

And when you think about it---that might just be an even tougher place to seek victory...

 

 

 

Here's to the cycling season ahead... #feelinginspired

Pauses

Life is busy; the work commute, hours at work, volunteer activities, attending to the house, paying bills, taking care of responsibilities--all the things we "do" throughout our routines.  And in the busyness of things, our inherent nature is to "manage" that busyness, to control as much of that activity as possible.  Sometimes, managing that busyness is good, achievable, and necessary; sometimes, it's better to let things come to a pause...

This past week brought me an enjoyable pause of my own as I traveled to Nebraska to be with my youngest daughter & her husband as she underwent shoulder surgery to repair a rotator cuff injury.

I'm pleased to report the surgery went well & the patient recovering nicely, though she is a bit stubborn and returned to classes after only a week of rest (the doctor told her two weeks)--apparently she takes after her father, or so I'm told :-P  Nonetheless, all is progressing well. But the best part of this pause came not in the form of being away from work or the craziness of the metropolis of Northern Virginia or even the quietness of small-town Nebraska; the pleasure & joy of this pause came in just getting to be with my daughter.  We watched episodes of favorite TV shows streamed on Apple TV (whenever she was awake), talked about school plans and the remaining  semesters (when she was awake), imagined our futures  (when she was awake), and critiqued Food Network recipes (whenever she was awake...pain mess are funny that way!).  All in all, a cherished memory for Dad in spite of the circumstances...

Pauses are good things and necessary...chose to MAKE them instead of having to TAKE them. :-)