Proud to be an American!

(C'mon)
Oh won't you take me home tonight?
Oh down beside your red firelight,
Oh and you give it all you got
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round

-Queen

This past Friday I had my top two wisdom teeth extracted. Prior to the procedure, my doctor muttered the dreaded words, “Tim, you cannot ride your bike for at least three days if you do not want to get dry sockets”. Knowing that dry sockets could potentially halt my training for several weeks, I decided to heed her advice and commit to a sedentary lifestyle for three days. At first, I thought a little R and R would be fun and relaxing. However, by the second day I was already itching and twitching like a heroine addict quitting cold turkey. I was seriously bumming, and for no apparent reason. My body was simply in withdrawal from its daily shot of cycling-induced serotonin. All of this couch dwelling got me thinking, so I decided to research some statistics on the lifestyles of Americans.



Some statistics I already was aware of:

1. The U.S.A. is the FATTEST country in the world.
2. Detroit is the FATTEST city in the U.S.A.
3. Obesity is quickly on its way to overtaking smoking as the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S.A.




Some new statistics I discovered:
1. According to the American Heart association, surveys from 2002 show that 24 percent of Americans age 18 or older live a sedentary lifestyle.
2. Also, about 400,000 deaths per year in the United States are due to poor diet and physical inactivity.
3. According to a study by CNN Health, seven out of 10 American adults don't exercise regularly despite the proven health benefits.
4. In the United States, two thirds of the population is overweight and one third obese.
5. In 2004, among people ages 18 and older, an estimated 14.8 percent (31.6 million adults) had experienced at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime, and an estimated 8 percent (17.1 million adults) reported having experienced a major depressive episode in the past year.



So let me get this straight. America is the most financially well off country in the world, but we are the fattest and the most depressed. Is there a link between our couch dwelling and our depressive states of well-being?




I guess the immortal words of the Notorious B.I.G. (who was also coincidentally obese) holds true today, “Mo Money, Mo Problems”.





“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
-Mahatma Ghandi

62 Years. I cannot comprehend.

"The average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. He is not actually happy when free; he is uncomfortable, a bit alarmed, and intolerably lonely. Liberty is not a thing for the great masses of men. It is the exclusive possession of a small and disreputable minority, like knowledge, courage and honor. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty -- and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies. It is, indeed, only the exceptional man who can even stand it. The average man doesn't want to be free. He simply wants to be safe."
-H.L. Mencken

Today I had lunch with my grandparents in honor of their 62nd year of marriage. After a few hours of talking politics and how confusing technology is for them, I began to try and really wrap my head around what 62 years of marriage meant. I pondered the concept in complete awe and came to the conclusion that it is impossible for me to comprehend. Rather, it is only plausible for me to aspire.

In a new era and arguably a new world…can we ever be like our parents or grandparents? Although, growing statistics say no, the romantic and passionate side of me says yes.

Focus

Where have I been? Lately, I have been too busy riding to blog.

Every season I end up putting in the bulk of my base mileage during this time of year. I ride slowly, with one gear, and for hours on end. Last week I rode over 25 hours. All this time in the saddle provides for great opportunity for thought. As a result, every season I end up attaining this burning focus for the start of the season. Typically, if I do not get satisfactory results in March when the season starts, my focus tends to fade.



However, this year something feels different…my focus is stronger and more intense than seasons of the past. I had been toying with the notion of racing a 24 hour solo MTB race for several seasons now, it has always been something I’ve felt I need to accomplish. Recently, I watched the newest documentary from Gripped Films (those who brought you Off Road to Athens) titled 24 Hour Solo. The movie focuses on Chris Etough and his pursuit at a 7th world championship. In the first scene Chris says, “There is something that happens in a 24 hour solo race that is indescribable…in a 24 hour race there is no place to hide…at one point you will come face to face with your soul”.

There have been several races in my career that have evoked a great deal of emotion. This is one of the components of any type of sport that creates addictions and burning passion. The races that have required more than just endurance and strength have always been the most memorable to me and have served as the most meaningful learning experiences. Every person I have talked to that has experienced a 24-hour solo MTB race has tried to describe this emotional experience to me. This season its time I find out what this indescribable feeling is all about. I feel like I have been in the same room with this feeling in the past…however, I do not think we have formally met yet.

In the past, I have always avoided committing to a race of this caliber for fear that it would ruin the rest of my season in terms of training and the toll it would take on my body. However, I cannot fight the urge anymore. I have not yet committed to a specific event, but I am debating on a few events in August to choose from.

Since my decision to focus on a 24-hour race, my priorities have seemed to shift. My lifestyle has been built around my cycling for sometime now, but like the title of this blog, there are many distractions in between. I accept that in order to go into this event competitively I am going to have to make sacrifices. Recently, I have decided to give up my winter employment as a snowboard instructor in order to dedicate more time to training and proper rest. This may be a decision I regret in the future but it currently seems necessary in order to attain my desired fitness level for this season.

I intend to continue to race a full road schedule with a mix of a few select MTB races as well. My logic with selecting an event in August is the hopes that it will lead to keeping good focus and dedication for the majority of the season.

Pretty in Pink Eye

Conjunctivitis (con·junc·ti·vi·tis) (commonly called "Pink Eye" or bloodshot eyes in the USA, "Red Eye" in the UK, and "Madras Eye" in India, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually bacterial or viral)

After a pink eye epidemic scare, I took the day off of work today with suspicion that I contracted it from a student and was now a carrier.

Negatives of having Conjunctivitis:
1. Your eye is red and you are contagious, so you can't go to work.

Positives of having Conjunctivitis:
1. You can’t go to work because of the high probability of your contribution to an outbreak.
2. You can ride your bike until 10:15pm the night before and get 60 miles in on a Monday night in January because you don’t need to worry about getting to bed early because you can’t go to work.
3. Ironically, Pretty in Pink was playing on Cinemax this morning and I watched it.
4. Back to Back episodes of Saved by the Bell as well, also watched.
5. After a day of doing nothing significant whatsoever, you still have the rest of the evening to ride your bike.
6. You can’t go near people so no one can bother you.

I was beginning to feel that my contraction of Pink Eye was the best thing that has happened to me so far in 2008. However, all of my hopes of further missed work days were crushed when I visited the ophthalmologist today and she informed me that I simply had a bacterial infection in my eye caused by wearing my disposable contact lenses past their manufacturer recommended use.

This was the first time I contracted pseudo conjunctivitis and it made a notable impact on my life. So much so, that I began to aspire of ways I could give back to the Pink Eye community. Be on the look out for Royal Oak’s First Annual Spring Classic Non-Sanctioned, Unofficial Conjunctivitis Awareness Criterium Race coming this year. My objective is to spread awareness everywhere of this wonderfully debilitating ailment. I also intend to start a non-profit charity entitled “SEE STRONG”. As an individual who survived a Conjunctivitis scare, it is time I start giving back. Details to follow…

W.C.I.F.A. of the Year

It’s ironic that this year’s recipient of the “Who Cares I’m Flying” award goes to an individual who was present during the conception of the W.C.I.F. mentality. Long before any professional contracts, before any athletic scholarships, and before any National Titles, Kacey Manderfield, Raymond Dybowski and myself waxed philosophical one late night on a drive home from Leland. Kacey was younger and in fact was fresh off recently becoming aware that you aren’t supposed to wear your underwear under your bike shorts.

Fast-forward to three years later, and we all could not be more proud of this extremely accomplished rider. Kacey has been racing for Lees McRae in N. Carolina for two seasons now and has been nothing short of a 5ft podium spot grabbing velo-juggernaut. I am proud to claim that I was the first person to drive her down to Lees McRae to meet the coach and ride with the team. As I watched Kacey’s focus sharpen that season, I knew she was destined for greater things than our Michigan scene had to offer.

I asked Kacey to email me her race resume from this season prior to me sitting down to write this. It was quite an overwhelming site to behold. I think her race resume contains more 1’s than the binary code required to write this! In addition to the numerous podium finishes Kacey snagged this year, she also claimed 5 National Jerseys of her own (3 individual and 2 team). Did I mention that Kacey got her start as a Wolverine? Kacey may have moved onto bigger and better things but once a Wolverine, always a Wolverine.

So lets all raise a fresh batch of Kacey’s homemade chocolate chip cookies to her, She is the recipient of this year’s and the first ever “Who Cares I’m Flying” Award of the Year. Congrats! We are all proud of you.

W.C.I.F.A. Year in Review

Award Origin: Posted April 17th
I obtained this quote from the great Ray D. on a road trip about three years back. It refers to the attitude one takes when he/she negates all responsibility and all other priorities to go focus on nothing but riding and racing. We were in the car driving back from previewing the Tour de Leelanau course, it was about 1:30am, and I had my first day back to work from summer vacation the next day. I should have been concerned with getting proper rest for the physical shock of going back to work the next day after 2.5 months of vacation. But Ray justified everything with a few simple words…”Who cares? I’m flying”.

Award Recipients:

Kelly Paterson: Awarded April 23rd

Obtained by winning the Ann Arbor Training race in true dominative fashion.




Cone Azalia: Awarded May 7th to Greg Christenson

The “Who cares, I’m flying Award” goes to Greg Christenson of West Coast Riders, for beating three pros on his wheel and taking the win.












Gaslight Crit: Awarded May 28th to the Godfather of MI cycling

This weekend’s recipient of the “Who Cares, I’m Flying Award” goes to Raymond Dybowski. Ray completed the tri-fecta (pro 1-2, Masters 35+, Masters 45+) and won money in every race!




Ciaciaro: Awarded June 9th-Two way tie between The Flying Jew and Charlie Brown


This Weeks Recipient of the “Who Cares. I’m flying Award” is a Two-Way Tie!
1. Dan Klein for exhibiting that he is finally firing on all cylinders again.
2. Scott Kroske for realizing that he can ride a break, and make moves; not just follow wheels and sprint.
Congrats!






Who Cares? I’m Falling Award- Honorary Insult Awarded June 29th to Alan Smith for struggling to keep the rubber side down.

Allen’s cycling career thus far, has a hefty resume of not to keeping the rubber side down, yesterday was no exception.
As I arrived at Allen’s, he proceeded to inform me that he got hit by a car on his vintage 50lb Schwinn earlier this morning while on a innocent 3 block jaunt to a local bakery to score some donuts. Although he seemed to be a bit shaken up mentally, he was able to forge onto the WSC/Dybowski skills drills session in the B-Ham Cemetery, then the Beverly ride at 6:00. However, it seems that somehow (Kroske), Allen was taken out on one of the turns in the cemetery and landed ass up/shoulder down on top of mangled mountain of carbon fiber in front of a tombstone. One passerby asked, “Is he ok?”…Dybowski replied, “He’s fine, we just need a shovel and we’ll be all set”. Allen soon rose to his feet again, relatively unscathed and was able to finish the ride complete with some fresh new skid marks on his shoulder.

Robbie McEwen: Awarded July 9th for being the Pocket Rocket


Superweek Podium and 1st Place Cherry Popper: Awarded July 30th-Brent Delrosario

By far Superweek’s most notable finish goes to Brent Delrosario! After much discouragement from not even finishing any races something clicked in Green Bay and Brent discovered his “ness”. At the bell lap in the Cat. 4 race, Brent decided he was going to sneak away from everyone and win this race in true champion form. This was Brent’s first win! What a place to do it! Helmets off to Brent!




Jeff Gray: Awarded August 12th, 2007

For kicking Leukemia’s Ass!






The Dolpenator: Awarded October 10th 2007

Driven by the age-old heartbreak and devastation of the opposite sex, Alex single handedly conquered all 500+ miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway last week in an impressive 5 days.



Mike Croy: Awarded October 23rd 2007

Awarded for crushing his previous Marathon P.R. by 11 minutes and serving as my main source of coaching and motivation during my marathon de-virginizing process.




Stay tuned for the most prestigious award that can be given to any cyclist…This year’s 2007 W.C.I.F.A. of the Year!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

and to the Hermit-man.