Evolution of the Revolution

Cycling is a sport that draws much from inspirators and conspirators. Sure, there are the heros we have watched on TV or read about, eg, Lance, Floyd, Marco, Eddie, Sean and so many others...sometimes we don't even know whether those riders are somebody we can relate to.

I don't think I am alone to say that I have heros among the everyday common bike racing folks; I draw my inspiration from the past, much as a well that always keeps yielding refreshing drinks of water. I started riding at Stanford University when I became an injured runner who was desperately trying to make it as a walk-on scrub on the Stanford University track team. I started riding around on a beat-up old 10-speed, Nishiki or something like that - hey it had some light parts on it for its day. I saw the Stanford team on the road and I must say it looked enticing - all these serious & determined lycra-clad riders in apparent exclusion of the would-be challengers/wankers - inviting from a competitive point of view and also to be part of a very driven, knowledgeable group. Plus they knew where all the awesome rides were - Old LaHonda, Skyline, Hwy 9, Big Basin, Alpine Rd, Tunitas Creek, Hwy 84, and so many other beautiful places to ride in the Santa Cruz mountains area.

My good friend Rowen Bensch really introduced me to the sport of cycling; he and I resided in the French House at Stanford, my sophomore year. Rowen always had a way with "liberating" people's spirit - he convinced me to part with my educational loan money and purchase a $500 Bianchi. A very nice bike for its day, with Ofmega, Zeus and a few Campy components (6-speed cluster). Also, Vittoria shoes. Plus, he really thought he could kick my ass up Page Mill Road. I proved him wrong, much to his surprise. Seriously, I am indebted to Rowen to opening up my mind to a whole world of culture (mostly Euro-centric), and the fantastic universe of cycling.

The Stanford Cycling Team was awesome. There was a sufficient amount of ridicule and sheer talent to humiliate me but leave me coming back for more. I was soundly beaten at one point or another by nearly all women and pimply, coke-bottled glasses grad students. I think even "Cadaver-man" beat me (never mind that story). Brian Bauer was one of the gifted ones, one of the established riding stars, but I must say that he was too goofy and non-intense to ever want to clobber. Art Walker, on the other hand was another story. He was a PhD grad student in physics who had an ego almost as enormous as his intellect. Plus, he was just damn funny. Man, he was intense, he didn't miss a single detail. He was simply a great bike racer who knew how to make others around him great. He dangled the carrot in front of me, soundly dropping me on both climbs, descents, and at first, time trial riding (He told me early on in my career I would never beat him in a TT - it took me 2 years but not only did I beat him, but I shattered the school record he had held for the Arastradero TT that the Stanford team would do to establish TT hierarchy). Art turned out to be a great friend, and coach. He really is responsible for the spirit of compulsive and aggressive riding style I have; he gave me the base I needed to achieve an edge in any cycling discipline. I always felt confident that after Art advised me, I had all the advantages. So no wonder that I have turned to him for advice on RAAM!

Years later, having gotten back into competition as a Masters category bike racer, I have run into some individuals who showed me what fight and determination were all about. I have surrounded myself whenever possible with these people. One friend and local Masters rider, Randall Smith, established a nearly legendary work ethic in his rain-or-shine loops on Joe Miller Road and Badger Mtn. It is mostly because of him and his riding prowess that I am inspired to ride repeated tough loops and series of climbs that have a tendency to shatter one's legs after only one of them; 9,000 vertical feet or 40 miles of headwind, pick your poison! I feel that I am ready!

I am fortunate to see the next generation of riders emerging from our examples - Tyler Farrar, who is excelling on the Slipstream professional team, and Jake McArthur, a young emerging star, who I feel is capable of world class results.