FLCC> A Balloon Fest Recap, sort of

[Matt Plumb]

In short; I got shelled.  However, I can't say that I'm disappointed by this result.  For many of you who know me well, hanging for 60 miles with the likes of cyclocross national champions and professional bike racers isn't bad for my first outing considering where I was 5-6 months ago.  Yes, we all have moments of weakness even those of us dubbed "fast guys" who have been at it for years.  Last year I had a great season on paper, but an overly ambitious schedule of team/race obligations, I was left floored.  My legs had dropped out from under me and I was perpetually tired in spite of whatever I tried to do.  I become frustrated, disillusioned and finally unmotivated.  I quit and decided to live the life I'd largely skipped out due to my many years of athletic endeavors.  I drank too much beer, stayed out late and even took up a job out in Colorado Springs for the summer to do trail maintenance at altitude (a long time dream of mine that I'm still going to get done, hopefully).  



     During my prolonged, deep foray into the abyss of Ithaca College nightlife, I stayed somewhat fit by doing some running and way, way too much rockclimbing (there's the 15 pound problem that I'm dealing with now... Apart from the tan-lines I guess I can go to the beach and not be embarrassed....). I did well in a few 5k runs (won a free hot tub rental and some t-shirts. yay!), got to see new things and go out with friends more than I had in the past and was truly content.  Much better than feeling run down and anxious and undergoing serious training to meet commitments designed by some sponsor. If I'd said I felt like something was missing, like cycling, I'd be a liar.  I was happy and having a great time....  And then the sun came out.  




It wasn't until March that I hoped on my bike after 2 full months of letting it collect dust in the basement.  A couple spins here and there between days where I'd go run, or skateboard, or cram for biochemistry exams.   After a week or two, I saw a post on the listserve for a little opportunistic hammer ride.  45 degrees is tropical that time of year in Ithaca after all.  Naturally, literally, I did not put another into "I've ridden four times.Hmm dirt climbs.  Sounds like fun...screw it I'm going."  About two hours later, after many, many months if not a year of struggle, I was finally back where I belonged; staring at the back of some skinny kid's wheel, seeing stars and wishing I had a 25 on to get over the muddy, rain soaked climb to the top of Bald Hill.  It took a while for intention to fully germinate but on the decent after that climb I realized a few things. (1) I hadn't gotten dropped.  These guys are good.  I don't suck. and (2) Over the prior months, I hadn't ridden or done much of anything for any other reason that I really wanted to.  Those points circulated clearly in my head as I looked down and realised why I was on my bike at that moment. I crawled home in my little ring and knew what had just begun. It was and still is going to be a long, long road back. 




   I suppose the lesson here, at least for me, is that to be dedicated to something, especially something as demanding as endurance sports, you truly have to enjoy it.  And to truly enjoy something, you have to be doing it for the right reasons; the ones that intrinsically meaningful to you.  It's taken my 3-4 years of experience to reach the point of knowing that the reasons I enjoy my bike are not primarily the outward signs of success like results, free fancy kits and equipment from sponsors or any of that and certainly not anxiety and pressure that come with obtaining such things.  I simply like riding/racing/traveling with my friends, putting pins on my giant blow up map of central NY and occasionally going so hard up Blakeslee rd. that my face turns purple and I want to vomit on the descent.   So, in short, I'm glad to be back and, moreover, representing the area and racing with some of the best dudes I know on Chris Cookies/FLCC/Swan cycles.  I'm sure that this information doesn't apply to many of you and that some will think I'm just a confused kid and boob for saying all of this in what is supposed to be a race report but I hope that some will find something useful from my experiences.  In closing, go out, ride for yourself and remember to always have fun with it.  Then you won't care if you get dropped and DNF at your first race in half a year because you realize that it's just all part of the process. 




:)




Cyclonauts RR (MA) and Housatonic Hills (CT) for the Cookie's crew this weekend. I'm glad to say that I've once have the chance to procrastinate and cram in a ride, shower/eat and pack all in the three hours before Lawney, Don, Cameron, etc. get here to hit the road! 




AHHHHHH, no time for editing.  Enjoy! 




Matt 
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