Why We Race
“Hey Coach! There are only 2 riders in my child’s event, why do they even bother racing?”
That’s a good question, but surely it can only come from someone who doesn’t race. We all know why we race, but how do we explain it to family, friends and casual spectators?
Hmmm… I know! let’s go and ask Dawn what she thinks about that:
Hey Dawn, just why do we bother?
“If there are only two people, you race because you trained for this day; you got out there and got a finish time when everyone else didn't.”
“You race because you can always learn something, some new technique, something new about yourself you didn't know before and that you can use the next time, something that you realized in the last race to help you do better this time.”
“You race because if you didn't who would be the competition? If you are the 2nd rider, then you ARE the competition!”
You race because of your love for the sport, the fun of cycling, the challenge to your body, the success of accomplishing your goals.”
“The first year that I raced the NJ State ITT there were two women in my category, but as Barrie put it, I beat everyone that didn't show up. The second year, there were just 3 women - I came in 3rd. This year, there were 5 women and a real possibility that I would not medal. But I came in 2nd – a real tribute to my coach, my determined training and my perseverance.”
“In a time trial, the only control you have is what you bring to the race. How well you prepared, how strong you feel, how hard you push, how fast you can beat that clock. That is why you race.”
“Points, medals, money, best time, 1st place: these are all just numbers and in time perhaps no one will remember them... but you...you will remember the first race you entered, the first one you finished.”
“You will always know who it was that helped you get to the finish line as you worked together, wheel to wheel, to finish that race, even if you were not on the same team, and maybe you never caught their name.”
“You will remember all the little kids cheering for you on the corners of a town criterium, the racing buddies shouting your name as they pass in the other direction on a time trial.”
“You will remember that pukey feeling before each race and the rush of adrenalin that took over with the very first pedal stroke from the start line.”
“You will remember the clapping, the shouting, and the people that watched you and wanted you to go faster, work harder, and because they were there...you did!”
“You will remember the first time you crashed, the second time you crashed, the last time you crashed and still you got back on the bike.”
“You will remember at least ‘one moment’ of each race that defined that day for you, why you woke up early, why you warmed up your engine, why you gave it everything you had if only for that one moment.”
“You will remember the family members that supported you through it all even if they didn't understand what you were doing.”
“You will remember the coaches that believed in you and did whatever it took to help you to reach for your goals and grab them when they were in sight.”
“You will remember your teammates that made you feel like you were the best rider on the course, even if you came in last. And the other racers, ‘The Competition’ , the ones that were there to try to snatch your dreams away. The racers that were your enemies on the line and your best friends at the end that you hugged or shook hands but surely congratulated because you know exactly what it took for them to do what they just did. The ones that you saw at each race, every season, year after year, those riders, those athletes; all like yourself ... you will remember.”
“So at the end of the day, when everyone is huddled in groups, peering over shoulders, trying to get a glimpse of the results, where they placed, what was their time, who were the winners....and the losers.........even if there are only two riders in your category...... You know why you race!”
Wow! Thanks Dawn for explaining that so well.
