I'm torn...I can't decide if I should race this, this, or this.
Help me out.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Dybo Memoirs
If you roll up to virtually any cycling venue in the United States and mention the name Ray Dybowski, there is almost always a good chance that someone will comment, “Yeah, I know that guy, man have I got some stories about him”. After 25+ years of Wolverine racing, Ray has justifiably earned the name “The Godfather of Michigan Cycling”. It is pretty difficult to find another individual with as much credentials, sincerity, knowledge, loyalty, and passion for the sport than Raymond. He is one of those guys that not only bring out the best in racers, but also in people’s everyday traits. As a teammate of mine he has been a teacher to me as well as a great friend and source of motivation.
After several years of road tripping to races and training camps with Ray I have developed quite a mental Rolodex of stories he has told. I guess when you have as many notches in your experience belt as Ray, you have a lot to say and share. The greatest component of Ray’s stories in their similarity to fine wine, they get better with time and the more exposure to them the better you feel. Recently, I was riding with Ray and I proposed the idea to compile his stories together in book format titled “The Dybo Memoirs: Tales from one of Michigan’s finest” as retold by the Finkelstein. In an effort to take the first step in this endeavor I have decided to dedicate a post a week to retelling the rich and compelling stories of The Godfather.
These memoirs will be broken down into themes. The first edition of these inspirational tales will focus on the theme of food. As a warning, all stories are true and based on actual events. However, as time passes and the frequency of the retellings increase so does the exaggeration and grandeur of them.
Stay tuned for the first Vol. 1 Ed.1 of the Dybo Memoirs…guaranteed to warm and inspire the hearts of those who share a passion for cycling and racing.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The Dolpinator vs. Finkelstein 2008
The Dolpinator aka G.P.S. aka Mr. Duuulop…aka FUPA hunter extraordinaire has been my W.R.C.S. nemesis for several years now after always finishing behind him by minuscule points. Last year I lost to him by a mere 6 points after committing a tactful error and riding a geared bike rather than an SS one of the weekend rides.
After a full season of training and racing in preparation for a good finish in the W.R.C.S., I decided to make my main objective to humiliate the arrogant German by total point domination. So far, it seems I have a healthy lead on him. In a few weeks I am heading to Austin, TX for an early season training camp. However, I believe that my early established lead will ride out the rest of the season and I can finally say, “I beat the German”. I am quite confident that when this happens he will be crying himself to sleep while listening to his favorite album: The Best of Hassseholf’s Slow Jams.
Despite our rivalry, difference in musical preference, and desired female proportions we have recently conceived a plan and teamed together for an ultra super secret spring training goal. However, until two weeks before the implementation of this monumental plan there will be a media embargo that prohibits us to discuss it with the general public. Keep an ear and eye open for the details to follow.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sympathy from Motorists
It seems that even after several seasons of braving the cold on my two-wheeled apparatus, I NEVER get tired of the peculiar looks I get when I roll out on a day when the wind chill is in the single digits.
If any of you have ridden in this weather, you know the look…at first people stare in confusion as if you were a space alien riding the Easter Bunny...but the look quickly turns to assumption as if to come to the realization that I must have been busted for drunk driving one too many times and was mandated to lowering myself to this primitive method of transportation. People often seem to be very perplexed at the thought that someone would voluntarily ride in this weather…I still sometimes perplex myself at the thought. There was even one instance a few years back, when an older lady rolled the window down in her car and asked if I wanted a ride home.
All in all I have to admit, the looks do provide as motivation.
If any of you have ridden in this weather, you know the look…at first people stare in confusion as if you were a space alien riding the Easter Bunny...but the look quickly turns to assumption as if to come to the realization that I must have been busted for drunk driving one too many times and was mandated to lowering myself to this primitive method of transportation. People often seem to be very perplexed at the thought that someone would voluntarily ride in this weather…I still sometimes perplex myself at the thought. There was even one instance a few years back, when an older lady rolled the window down in her car and asked if I wanted a ride home.
All in all I have to admit, the looks do provide as motivation.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
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
Saturday, January 19, 2008
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.
-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.
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.
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