Coasting into summer vacation!

I usually don’t use this blog as a forum to showcase any other aspects of my life outside of cycling. However, in tune with Kelley P’s latest post, most recently I so was proud of what my students and I created as an end of the year Physics project that I was compelled to share.

As the school year ends, many teachers are struggling to stay focused and motivated to do anything of academic benefit short of a final exam. Our year-end wrap up has manifested into designing and constructing a fully functional roller coaster. This task elicited students to apply the laws and principles of forces and motion they learned throughout the year. I must say, I was quite pleased with the final product. Most importantly, this project gave me motivation to drag myself out of bed at 5:30 every morning with vacation right around the corner.

Kickball Eve

It's hard to believe we are already on the eve of the 2008 kickball season. I’m going to have to take a strong dosage of Nyquil tonight or there is no way I will get any sleep! This year the Sex Panthers have retired the one hit wonder title and adopted the fervent Road House-Swayze inspired name of Double Deuce. However, I will not be covering the game reports this season. For all things Double Deuce and kickball related, consult here.

The pressure is on! Who will crack?

The best part of the 10,000 mile challenge is that every time you pedal your machine, you're participating in the stage of a race...so essentially, I'm always racing. How will it all end? The tension is so thick you can't even slice it with a ginzu!

Epic Adventure

“Goonies never die!” Ever since I was a kid, when I rolled out my door on my trusty two-wheeler, I dreamed of embarking on an epic adventure. Aspirations of pirate ships, hidden treasure, catching frogs and other creatures, and the possibility of discovering Al Capones hideouts were always on my mind.

As an adult, I still aspire for these epic adventures. I love riding my bike. My girlfriend recently said that every time she watches me roll away for a ride it reminds her of a puppy that is so excited to get out of the house and go outside to play/run/walk. I thought that analogy was quite appropriate.

Racing has always simply been a bi-product of my intense propensity for riding my bike. Most of all rides are based around preparation for races. However, what do you do on a weekend that is absent of any races on the schedule? The answer is S.L.M.R (Stupid Long Mile Rides). S.L.M.R.=Epic Adventure=Fun!

So as the sun rose Saturday morning I looked out the window with that “puppy” look in my eye as I anticipated a day of uninterrupted MTB fun.

The usual suspects met at Einstein in Troy for some pre-ride fuel. In attendance; DK, Cruise, Alanso Smith, and The German.
Although the weather was sketchy at times, we seemed to avoid any inclement situations. As the day rolled on and the miles piled up, so did the chemical shot of endorphins making us feel the extreme elation that only a S.L.M.R. ride can make you feel.

The route- Royal Oak to Einstein in Troy to Pontiac Lake Trails to Milford Trails to Island Lake Trails to back home with a God sent tailwind as a reward.

Total Mileage: 138
Total Ride Time: 9hrs 5min.

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.