Every year about this time I really begin to reflect (see also: stress) on my life as a bike racer and as an individual, and try to position these realities in the context of "what comes next." Of course, since 2007, what comes next is usually a ridiculously long bicycle race in June that I'll never shy away from, the Race Across America and the Race Across the West.
The audacity of an individual or a group of individuals racing their bikes across our great country comes to a head this time of year. Just getting to the starting line is a major act of faith, both on the part of those who race their bikes and those who support those brave women and men, echoing out from the follow vehicle in the middle of the night and out across the world, really.
World Champion Graeme Obree writes, "Despite the fact that I had been gifted with an almost arrogant belief that I could do anything I set out to do, I would feel like a cornered animal that had to fight tooth and claw to survive...I had stumbled upon the most powerful of training aids: the intertwined emotions of total belief and total fear."
Eric and I would add that because of your support, love, friendship and patience, we will be able to show you something wonderful in June and fulfill our promise that individuals can effect a real, positive and lasting change in our world.
It starts with us. We are Team Switchback.
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