Beast Racing - I Shaved My Legs For This: Why We Do the Things We Do

So, are you still humming the magnificent tune "Some Say I Shaved My Legs"? How did that go for you? I see it got me one more follower. Hey, baby steps. Even though I know there are few of you enjoying my thoughts and ramblings. Well, I hope that's the case. I have a couple goals for this entry. I may venture into some new territory here. I'm still gunning for laughs and smiles. I like to think of myself as a versatile guy, kinda like an all rounder on the bike. You may be able to dance your way up any climb but if you can't time trial.............well, just ask the Schlecks. How about Thomas Voeckler? I don't think I can ever cheer for a French guy but hats off, the dude is tough. Most people that follow cycling have heard the phrase "dancing on the pedals." Alberto Contador would be like Michael Jackson. The man can straight moonwalk up a mountain. Watching Thomas Voeckler climb up a mountain is kinda like watching this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xi4O1yi6b0

Sweet fancy Moses! On the bike let's just say, I'm an aspiring all-rounder, a work in progress. Ok, back to my intentions for this entry. I'm gonna get a little deeper, a little philosophical. You may get goose bumps or even shed a tear. I want to compare cycling to life as we know it. Take you inside the mind of an endurance athlete. So let's go beyond the spandex and behind the music.

If you are a cyclist in any capacity you probably have been asked: "Why do you ride a bike?" I do get this question quite a bit. It would probably be in my Top 10 questions Will gets asked. Probably towards the bottom of the list. Number one is: "Your name is really Will Smith?! Can you get jiggy wit it? I bet you get that question alot. I can't believe your name is Will Smith!" To combat this, I have several responses. Try me. Ok, back to the first question. "Why do you ride a bike? Why would anyone want to ride for hours on the bike? I don't see the point." The same reason you sit in a tree stand for 8 hours waiting on Bambi. The same reason you watch fast cars go around the same circle for 500 laps. The same reason you go to the mall just to go the mall. The same reason you go to hip hop dance class. The same reason you work on your antique car for hours. It makes you feel good. It is a since of accomplishment. It is human nature. The want and need to feel good that is. I'm not trying to speak for all cyclists and endurance athletes but I think we have one thing in common. We push ourselves to the limit yearning for that natural high. We embrace challenges and usually have a goal in front of us. Calvin Coolidge once said "Persistence and Determination alone are omnipotent." I have the complete quote hanging on my wall. Thanks Mom and Dad. I read it all the time. I relate it to life, work, relationships and cycling. At least President Coolidge left us with some inspirational words to hang on our wall. He's probably on down the list to make his way on to Mt. Rushmore but hey, maybe he rode a bike? Google it.

Cycling and music go hand in hand for me. They both give me peace of mind. When I'm on my bike by my lonesome I don't need music though. It clears my head better than anything else. To be honest with you riding outside while listening is really not safe. Just my opinion though. From a little joy ride to a competitive race, it's all therapy. Push yourself up that hill, feel a little pain. It will wash away all the worries away for a little while. Because sometimes being uncomfortable actually brings comfort. Just like a mountain century life brings peaks and valleys. If you want to be successful as an endurance athlete, mental toughness is a must. With individual sports it may be the most important asset, especially endurance sports. No pain..........I'm not one to be to cliche. A swell music friend of mine recently introduced me to a song that sums up cycling pretty well. I will put my touch into it because that's what I do.

And sometimes I feel six feet under

And sometimes I wanna scream loud as thunder

Sometimes I know your legs are crampin' and shakin'

I'm crawling up this climb and the hot sun is bakin'

Finishing on my mind

Just fight through the distance and the time baby

Persistence and determination will always overcome suffering. One's hopes and dreams will always push away pain and regret. If you find yourself in a valley, it's only temporary. Just take each switchback one by one. It may take time, but time you have. Certain peaks take longer to climb and some are able to make the climb faster. If your climb takes longer, it doesn't make it any less significant. It could take six months, a year, or even five years. Perseverance and patience will smooth out the road. This is why I believe cyclists are well suited to face the obstacles and challenges that life throws at us. Suffering teaches us to persevere. Your dream may be race, career or maybe even relationship related. That finish line might be 100 miles or five years away. A steady cyclist will conquer each hill, curve and descent. They know how to focus the entire ride and also keep their eyes on the prize. Speaking of the prize. I kinda dig a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket, a yellow one at that. Has a mind like a diamond, fingernails that shine like justice, and of course good dividends. As far as myself I like sunsets and long walks on the beach. Wait a minute. Damn, am I still blogging? I was listening to Cake "Short Skirt Long Jacket" thinking I was writing my online dating profile. My tab button must be stuck. Be careful when it comes to juggling cycling and dating. Well to late now. Maybe someone reading might appreciate it.

Each ride brings something new and sometimes you have to take a chance and turn down a new road. For your sake I hope it's full of beautiful climbs and fast descents. A straight flat road is no fun. It may seem safer but it's definitely not as fulfilling. You must be willing to be uncomfortable to make the climb. If you always stay within your comfort zone, you will never win. Whether it's moving far away or deciding to go on a attack, it's all about chances. Chances are what you make of them. There will be certain peaks that will be harder to climb and you don't always know the outcome. Ever turn down a road and wonder why you did it? It's human nature. Odds are you are heading down that path for a reason. Leave doubt behind and commit to it. In life there are no dead ends, just switchbacks. Sometimes steep, but they are all achievable. Just like life as we know it. I always like to think, there's hope for me yet.

Ok, pep talk time is over. On to Beast racing news. The team has had quite a first year of racing. Each and everyone of our teammates has found success this year. The biggest week of the season is almost upon us. Yes that's right, Crossroads my friend. The Blue and Gold will be there, rolling in the deep. All the other teams with the different kits, better ride, better ride, out ride our bikes. It's been quite a year for me and yes I finally found some success in Asheville. It was a great feeling. It was almost the perfect ending. If I had wrote the script I probably would have made a couple changes. Here goes:

As soon as I crossed the finish line cue some music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl_F74xBvkk

The team would line up and we would break it in a dance. You know kinda like one of those corny sappy eighties movies. Of course there would be some women in there. No Canadians though, I doubt they have rhythm. Of course there has to be a romantic interest. So make it a lady I've been chasing for a while. You can even cast me as an overachieving nerd, anything to add drama. She gives me my medal and then well you know.......

We have been extremely busy racing this summer. I have many results to post.

RBC Tour De Moore RR Cat 4/5   4/30/2011

Carlos Pinate         6th
Mitchell Moody     13th
Chris Haid             25th
Danger Dave         29th
Brian Canadian      47th (Flatted but still finished)

Huge field of 75+ riders.

Brick City Criterium Cat 4/5  5/01/11

Carlos Pinate        2nd
Ryan Phillips         9th
Brian Canadian    10th
Mitchell Moody   26th

Field of 50+ riders.

Dilworth Criterium   5/07/11

Cat 3/4

Carlos Pinate    4th

Cat 5 Old Guy Division

Chris Haid       1st      (even more impressive is that he just finished filming Captain America!)
Danger            5th
Brian K.          6th
Tory B.          16th

Cat 5 In Our Prime Division

Mitchell Moody     1st
Will Smith              7th
Ryan Phillips          11th

Cat 2/3

John Patterson      7th

Women Cat 3/4

Sonja Van Holderbeke   5th

Two big wins and lots of top tens for the Beast that day!

High Point Crits/NC State Criterium Championships 5/27/11

Cat 4/5

Carlos Pinate       1st
Mitchell Moody     7th
Tory Barbisan      25th

Cat 3/4

Carlos Pinate         1st

Los Cadence had a good day, wouldn't you say?

High Point 5/28/11

Cat 4

Carlos Pinate    2nd

Cat 5

Tory Barbisan    2nd
Chris Haid         14th
Mitch                 15th
BK                    18th

Tory was due, great race for him. The tough Canadian was wrecked and still came in to beat half the field.

NC State Road Race Championships 6/05/2011

Cat 4

Carlos Pinate      4th

Cat 5

Mitchell Moody      2nd
Tory Barbisan         3rd
Brian Kennedy      12th
Danger                  15th

Another great day with some high finishes. From what I hear both BK and Danger were pretty good domestiques that day as well.

Piedmont Triad Omnium 7/8/11 - 7/10/11

Masters 50+ Time Trial

John Patterson          1st

Masters 50+ Criterium

John Patterson          1st

Cat 4/5 Crit

Ryan Phillips         4th

Masters 50+ Road Race

John Patterson      2nd

Cat 4/5 Road Race

Chris Haid        10th
Ryan Phillips     25th
Will Smith         49th

That day, lets just say, I'm glad it's out of the way.

Overall Omnium

Masters 50+

John Patterson 1st

French Broad Omnium 7/16-7/18

Cat 4 Time Trial

Mitchell Moody 15th

Masters 50+

John Patterson 1st

Cat 4 Road Race

Mitchell Moody 2nd

Carlos Pinate 3rd

Ryan Phillips 18th

Perfect course for these Mountain Goats

Masters 50+ Road Race