Well, it's been a wild and crazy few weeks. I have been really busy playing "Sarah Nightengale" and not riding my bike as much as I should. But, I've pretty much written off the rest of the season anyway. I may make a swan song at San Ardo if everything aligns for that.
But, I've been giving some thought to the whole cycling thing - not sure where to go next in that aspect of my life. I like the whole racing thing, but not sure if I am willing to risk an injury as serious as the one Rick has (or an even worse injury). At the same time, I'm not interested in being a phobic who locks herself inside and misses out on life for fear. What is the level of risk I'm willing to accept? I just don't know the answer to that question.
I've had a blast racing on the track, but that is where I'm currently most petrified of riding due to a couple serious crashes of late. I love road racing, but am not particularly suited to it. I've never come to love the crit. Yeah, I can be more competitive there, but it's scary and kinda boring to me at the same time (and maybe that's just the W4 races with their general lack of tactics and inexperienced/dangerous riders). But, am I willing to put myself out there long enough to move to that next level. Am I willing to take the risk? I don't know.
So, I've got lots of pondering to do before next season. Maybe I focus on TT and hill climbs and enter Kern and a couple road races that I like and call it a season. Maybe focusing on TT and climbing will make me competitive in the road races. Maybe I'll go back to the evil triathlon land. I don't know.
Bottom line is: what kind of cyclist do I want to be?
11 comments:
ah, the never-ending question. it's a good thing there are so many wonderful options. I have a few more ideas for you that you didn't mention here.
and I can't, for the life of me, pronounce the title of this blog.
hugs to rick (and sarah, too).
ps -- if you're free Thursday night, come to the mtn bike ride @ Arastradero. we've been getting a fun, mellow group,
Very approriate questions given your experiences as of late. You neglected to mention weekend century rider, or better yet, tour de France junkie. Hang in there girl. The path to your next journey will eventually reveal itself. In these moments, I remind myself to hurry up and "wait". :)
I think the bigger danger in this situation is becoming too risk averse, and/or becoming too so concerned about the crash that one overcompensates and becomes a danger to oneself and others.
There is no way I want to see you go through this, or suffer any major injury, but I want to look on this as something that I can learn from and not something that causes me to become overprotective or overly averse to risk.
Ponder the options, listen for suggestions, but let what makes you happy and is fun be the major driving determinants. Have fun, and be safe as I always say (but apparently did not practice well enough).
A happy one! (Whatever that means...)
Don't over think it. I have had two bad wrecks in the last 6 months. One was during a race where I wrecked completely independent of everyone else and one was during training when I was the only one on the road for miles. If you throw your leg over the bike, you risk wrecking.
maybe try some cyclocross. there isn't as much speed and asphalt involved.
might be something to ponder.
i'm with lauren. come this way...
vg - would love to hear your ideas. I'll try to make Thursday.
kimmy - thanks.
rick - I'm prescribing more risk aversion for you, since you've been through about 13 of your 9 lives.
panda - yes, happy is the key!
chris - true, though there are some things with a higher statistical risk than others!
lauren and twinkie - CX is super-fun. Not sure it is spine-friendly. I have a chronic b-ball injury (the reason I no longer play b-ball) that seemed to respond adversely to CX, but I might need to go out and try again.
I think we all go through this now and then. I certainly had a few "what am I doing" moments this year, especially after Kern, when I was completely burned out. Usually I question why I ride when I'm completely tired, whether it be in life or on the bike.
Sure, cycling is a risky sport. But that risk is part of what makes it fun...the feeling of going that fast, of working that hard, of succeeding in something that many never try. No matter what you ultimately decide to do with it, there are many ways to enjoy it. Best of luck finding your way.
i've been asking myself these same questions off and on, like everyone must, but especially since Rick and then Paige's crash at the track
no easy answers but like everything, i figure it'll be clearer to me with time
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