Reflecting on the season, at its end

So, the revelation I had this weekend while racing the Green Mountain Stage Race was this: While I always want to do well at races, I'm increasingly not bothered when I don't do well.

Here's the thing, I really like riding bikes. I suppose that goes without saying at this point. I also like racing bikes, a lot, and have dedicated a tremendous amount of time to racing over the past eight years. Mostly, I'm in it for the awesome lifestyle, the great people you get to meet, the physical challenge, and the occasional satisfaction of a good race. Sometimes it's all much more than awesome, especially when I have fun friends to hang out with at the races, as was the case this weekend, when I spent a thoroughly relaxing race weekend with my friend Emma Bast and her wonderful family, and Evan Cooper, who we somehow picked up along the way. Among our little microcosm of racers, Evan was the most results-oriented, talking at length about this climb and that wattage. Emma was just quietly fast, winning the green jersey in the women's Pro/1/2. While I, with my nose stuck in a pulpy Michael Crichton novel (I was taking a break from reading about the Holocaust), was quietly slower.

But, I had a great weekend: I relaxed in Vermont, leaked sweat in the humidity, raced in the (brief) rain on Sunday, and thoroughly loved it. Although I was never in contention for the GC, and didn't have much of a chance for any of the stage results I was seeking, I was able to be a part of the race. I chased for a team mate, I spent some time off the front.

This attitude will probably never net me the cat 1 license that so many of my racing peers are clamoring for, but that's alright with me. At the beginning of the season I set out with the goal of being competitive in races. I happily achieved that, and was having a good season, until I broke my wrist. It's been a slow return to fitness since then. Now that the season's all but over (with Fall Bear canceled this weekend, and me heading to Interbike in Vegas the week after, it'll be hard to keep my fitness up, though I do have one race remaining), I think I'll do it again next year.

After all, I don't know if I'll win any races, but I'd hate to miss out on the fun.

Now, on to Spa:CX!