Without Further Ado…The Dybo Memiors #1

Awhile back I conceived this idea , it’s now time for it to come into fruition. For all those that know Ray, the man can tell a story and has plenty to tell. Here is one that is the first of many I will share with you as we take a quiet walk with The Godfather through the world of cycling, relationships, food, and more cycling.

Quite often Ray makes mention of “the glory days”. This was a developmental time for Ray in which he spent about 7 years racing full-time, riding 20,000-25,000 miles a year, hoping from town to town, and essentially living, eating, and breathing all things bike-racing.

All bike racers love food but unfortunately when you are “living the dream” you are forced to count every penny and calculate every expense all in the name of your personal labor of love. Below is my narrative from the perspective of Ray written with the most accurate recollection as possible.


I tell you what, maaaaaan…you know what my favorite meal was when I was racing full-time? I mean this was the meal I made everyday! I would take some ramen noodles, crack two eggs in it, throw in a few carrots and onions, let it simmer and….ahhhhh maaaaaaaan…I tell you what. That meal would keep me fueled all day and it costs less than a buck. But the best part is, if I would win that week, I would treat myself. This is what I would do, when I would win I would put tuna fish in it and you know what? That was the best! Niiiiiiiiice, I tell you what, it didn’t get better than that.

I would say I heard that story retold from the mouth of the Godfather more than I can count on two hands and it never gets old. This past Friday I met up with Ray to carpool out to our hotel for the weekends race. I called him on the way and let him know I was going to need to eat tonight before we got on the road. He replied, “don’t worry buddy, I got something waiting for you when you get here”. Can you guess what the meal was? I tell you what, it didn't get better than that.

The Slot Machine Theory

I don’t care what sport you are into, one of the main components of athletic endeavors that drives its participants and spectators is the ever-present spectrum of emotions one feels. A person who is addicted to gambling does not continue this behavior because he/she thinks every time they gamble they will win. They do it because just 1 win in 100 attempts is enough to reinforce the behavior again and again. Without suffering, there is no pleasure and vice versa. Bike racing has brought me to my highest of highs and lowest of lows.

Sparing the details of the Gaslight crit, I can simply chalk up this weekend to one that causes me to question why I even race a bike…what’s the point? I’m not sure if its lack of sleep or distractions caused by the end of the school year around the corner, but my head simply was not in the game this weekend. Gaslight was a blur. Post-race I came down with something that felt much like food poisoning, there was a very bad situation going on in the posterior area. On a positive note, the WSC is in second place overall for the State Team Challenge and thanks to Danny(10th place) and Ray yesterday(13th place) we were still able to secure a few more points.

I did not yield any results, and even worse I went into both these races lacking any plan and focus; perhaps a case of minor early season burn out. Whatever the case, I’ve had my lows…that’s in the past. Cedar Creek State Road Championships here we come. Time to redeem myself.

My Personal Vision Quest

Last week during a rain induced trainer session I watched the film Vision Quest. I’m not sure how this classic ever slipped by me, but this was the first time I had the privilege to watch this inspirational masterpiece.

A lot of people have criticized my choice to focus my season around a 24-hour solo race. However, after watching this movie I realized this race and its entire concept is my vision quest.

In the film, Matthew Modine’s character plays a high school wrestler who decided to do the perceived as impossible mission of moving from the 190 weight class to 168 in order to match “The Schute”, an unbeatable horse of a person.

The 24 hours is my “Shute”. I’m on a vision quest.

Vision Quest-Quest and journey for vision, your gifts, purpose and path of heart.

Not exactly sure how to put this...but kind of a big deal!

Who can guess who these two chaps are?

Tour of Frankenmuth

I don’t have too much to say about this race that was held on the Dolpinators native soil. This was not much of a notable event on my calendar, more or less one of the races just to do to maintain the race engine.

However, I would like to note one thing in particular. In the past, I have always associated Rite Aid as a warm therapeutic, pharmaceutical outlet where I would venture to cure any physical ailments I had. However, after the second lap yesterday when the Rite Aid Pro Cycling Team decided we were all going to suffer, I have lost my warm associative feeling. I now link the Rite Aid logo to pain, suffering and agony. It’s funny how the human brain works, on my drive home yesterday I drove by a Rite Aid establishment and my legs started cramping just seeing the logo!

Anyway, the WSC still managed to make a presence in a sea of high caliber teams in town for TDL. Danny, poised in great position as usual, was able to finish 7th in an agonizing breakaway effort and Luke Cavender snagged the field sprint for 12th (the last money position). I rolled in on a non-noteworthy 25th place tired and defeated.