Greeting People
Please enjoy yourself with another tale of my time on a bike....
Elephant Rock 2004
June 6, 2004
Introduction
This is the fourth week into my official biking season and so far I am kicking ass all over the Rocky Mountain Region. No one can tell me otherwise. I will not hear of it nor listen to such negativity. You might as well be talking to a brick wall. As one my co-workers said this evening “It’s all about Mr. Charley” I can not argue with that statement for I am the one to first to utter those immortal words this year and basically at the beginning of each year when I embark on my biking season.
I joke with my friends, co-workers and others whom I meet in my journey about “its all about me”, but deep down inside I really do believe “It’s all about me” Conceited? Yes. Stuck up? No. All that and a bag of potato chips? Yes. I have a very tight circle of close friends that I have come to known through out my travels. Some know more a little more than the other, but when my biking season begins - It’s something I take serious, yet bold enough to have fun.
Since the beginning of my biking career - I have grown wise.
Okay readers you can quit your uncontrolled laughing. Yes, hard to believe I have grown much more wiser. One might say too wise for my own good. I would disagree. I was so “green” behind my ears when I began in 1996, then I became serious biker for a small time, and then I was humbled. I have emerged from a cocoon and I now know how to do what I do best, yet at the same time - To have fun. I absolutely believe in what I am doing, but I believe there is one or two more steps ahead for me left to climb.
For the readers who do not wish to continue on with me into my world - this is the time we best part company until the next time.
Sunday, June 6, 2004 Castle Rock, Colorado - Elevation 6,989
"If I hadn’t tried the cost of would of been my soul"
Star Trek III - The Search for Spock
Note: This here story is about my bike riding and nothing else. Maybe some surprises other than that strictly all about me. Me, me, and me. If this is not your cup of tea then read no further. Remember, if you do not like what you are reading you do not have to read any further.
Listening to the silence. The silence was very defeaning this morning. Yet, as the song on one of Daryl’s favorite Depeche Mode Album - Enjoy the Silence.
Mile 0 - Castle Rock, Colorado - 6:59 A.M. - This was the start of the Elephant Rock, but for Daryl and Andrea they had already clocked in 21 miles since they elected to bike down to Castle Rock from Denver.The morning was so beautiful. Witnessing the sun rise over the area that was used to be known as Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is located between CastleRock and Denver. The day was promised to be nice, according to the weather forecasters. Although some scattered rain showers were forecast for the late afternoon. How vague can you get on pin-point weather?!
On this particular ride speed was going to be the second most important factor. The most momentous thing on Daryl’s mind was to complete the day intact. His body and soul were on the pedestal for everyone to observe and if they wish, to analyze. Today he is going to attempt to make history in his cycling career and go for a century and a half. To the folks who can not convert the words “century and a half” - that means 150 miles.
Daryl knows his physical base of himself is ready for the day, however his mental part of himself has some doubt. This mission is laced with many obstacles and tasks. Doubt. That is hardly a word Daryl uses at all. Yet, on this journey doubt was in the spotlight. What Daryl means is that going 150 miles ahe has doubt whether or not he is going to finish. Daryl is afraid of “bonking”. Bonking is basically the point where you have nothing else to give and you are done regardless of your mental state. To “bonk” is your body telling you can not go on, your body is drained of all available energy.
The Douglas County Fairgrounds was the start and finish of the Elephant Rock Century ride. Daryl and the other riders were going to head southeast from CastleRock and ride on Lake Gulch Road.
Mile 3 - (Approx.) - There are many, many riders out on the road. Daryl has already started counting the riders that he has rode pass so far, but it is actually getting tough to count and keep track of how many riders he has passed. Too many riders and Daryl is counting and minding himself on where he is riding and that is alot of concentrating to do.
The first ascend of the ride. Daryl has gotten off his seat and basically rode pretty steadily up the hill climb.
No trash-talking for today. Daryl considers that might be extra energy wasted on talking when he should be conserving his energy for the long road ahead.. He also runs the risk of the trash talking backfiring in his face. No one forgets “cruel” words. Especially from a biker who clearly looks all business and would appear to take no shit from no one. No one.
Mile 10.3 - (Aid Station) - The junction of Lake Gulch Road and Hwy. 83 - Daryl makes a pit stop here. He does not have to, but he wants to see what sort of snacks are available to eat.
He sees nothing that he wants to eat, so he heads back to Andrea and they continue on their destiny.
“That’s a pretty nice jersey you’re wearing”
“Thanks. I got it at the Santa Fe Century last month - 5 hours and 48 minutes”
“Pretty good. You earned that pretty cool jersey and earned the right to wear it. By the way, what does your bike odometer say?”
“Mine can not talk, but it does indicate 10.28 miles”
Daryl has a huge grin on his face, after saying this. Luckily the other rider can not see his eyes. He probably would not of liked those eyes and grin together.
After leaving this aid station the heart of the century ride has begun. The route south on Highway 83 is long and boring. Nothing to look at and nothing to look forward to. Only the open fields, farm houses and the barb wire fence lining both sides of the highway. On top of that the wind is blowing pretty strong and steadily blowing from the South towards the North.
Mile 12 - (Approx.) - Picture taking time. Daryl once again distances himself from other riders around him, but the course is still pretty packed with other riders. He only hopes the picture is a good one. A good one that is worthy to purchase.
The wind seemed to have picked up in strength. Not a bad head wind to bike into, but shit this is going to bad for him in the long run. More energy to exert on his Destiny ride of his life.
Mile 14 - (Approx.) - Daryl has been passing single riders and groups of riders since the beginning of the ride.
However, he too has been passed by a few single riders, but on this particular stretch of highway he is being past by a group of riders that must be on a team together. About six riders pass him on the left and Daryl thought that was it. Nope, more riders were behind.
After all has been told - the paceline that had past Daryl was over thirty riders long. This was by far the largest and longest paceline that Daryl has seen on a bike tour. The paceline was made up of strong riders and not just everyday wanna-be riders. With a strong pace line evident Daryl decided to fall into the very back of the pack for a mile or so.
Daryl was in awe of being in back of the paceline, but slightly uneasy. All the riders were using a pace of about 19 mph and passing other riders on the right of them while heading south to Colorado Springs.
Daryl dislikes pacelines for many reasons. Yet, you readers probably want to know what is the number one reason is - years and years ago Daryl had an experience in a paceline that he does not want to happen again. A terrible crash had happened to him.
Pacelines are great and fantastic, but not without extreme risks. The only paceline Daryl likes is the one he is leading. He literally holds them in the palm of his hands and also sets the pace for the other riders trying to make it the best to keep up with him.
Mile 16 - (Approx.) - The long paceline was broken in half due to some heavy road traffic and some group of riders that rode down the paceline. The front half of the paceline made it past the traffic jam so to speak and they were pretty much off on their own. Daryl was in the second half of the paceline and he decided it was time abandon the paceline and go on his own as he is accustom to. A few other riders also decided to abandoned the paceline.
Daryl was once again riding into the head winds by himself and then he recognized another rider who was in the same paceline earlier just ahead of him. She was riding about the same speed into head wind and he decided to use her as a “pace setter”. A Pace-setter for Daryl means that he can accurately gauge himself against another rider without really relying on his odometer.
Mile 18 - (Approx.) - Since the start of the Elephant Rock, the course has been flat, a few hills here and there. Yet, the scenery has not changed since the beginning of the bike tour. Basically farm land as far as the eye can see and basically nothing to look at except the grass and weeds swaying the wind.
Daryl then thinks he is seeing things that people in vehicles do not see and perhaps take for granted. Trash. There is a lot of trash along the roads of America. Daryl always sees the beer cans, beers bottles, water bottles, cigarette butts, potato chip bags, newspapers, scratched CD’s, cellular phone remains, all sorts of discards fast food items and those damn plastic grocery/Walmart bags.
Mile 22.4 - (Aid Station) - An aid station in the middle of nowhere located on the Douglas and El Paso County line. Riders were everywhere. Using the porta-potties, getting water, Gatorade, and some snacks.
Daryl once again did not have to stop, but he did for the sakes of getting some food. The food so far as not been what Daryl would even consider to eat. Time is getting short and pretty soon he will have to eat what is available.
Why? Daryl for the worse, had decided to drink Accelerade at the Starting line this morning. Basically, a sports drink. However, that was not a good decision on his part. From that point forward his body will start to burn the sugar and whatever nutrients were in the sport drinks for the rest of his day. His body will still take the water, but his body has now been forced to convert the sugar and if none is available the body will start to breakdown what sugar can be found in the body. For Daryl, this is not a very good thing. Especially on a journey he has started and has yet to even pass the halfway mark.
Mile 24.4 - (Hwy. 83 / Walker Road) - This is the point of no return. The century mile riders have to turn east, while the 65 mile riders get to continue south on Highway 83 until they reach the junction of Highway 83 and North Gate Road. Readers, we have once again reached the point where the course separates the men from the boys and the women from the girls. Or to be more blunt, the weak from the strong.
Mile 24.6 (Approx.) - Now, Daryl can only guess what he is really made of. The Black Forest. Daryl has not been back to the Black Forest since the ride of the MS 150 in 2000. The Black Forest is very hilly and as the name implies - a forest of trees everywhere you look. You can not see the entire forest, but she is there.
Mile 30 - (Approx.) - Riders have become very sparse along the country roads in the Black Forest. Daryl has not seen a paceline that was larger than four riders. Just two or three riders together, with solo riders littered along on the route.
Daryl also noticed for the first time the Courtesy Riders and the Medical Riders. Daryl surmises as the name implies to help a rider, if needed.
Mile 36.9 - Aid Station - Daryl stops to replenish his liquids, but also to start eating. Not as many bikers were here like the first two aid stops. Obviously, the hard core riders have chosen the century route and the “wanna-bes” most likely took either the 50 or 65 mile route, which does not include this aid station.
Daryl decides to use the porta-potty. The next aid station is at mile 48.3 and he has not used the restroom yet. Better safe than sorry. Well, not sorry,but better than taking a leak behind a tree or in the weeds.
While waiting for his turn, he notices half the bikers were passing this aid station up. Yet, this aid station is far from empty. Looking around him he see other bikers like him that might match his ability. Most of these riders are not your average Sunday riding bike rider. These riders have “the look” in their eyes. Daryl can not describe the look, but when you see another bike rider you can almost tell one hundred percent of the time if they have “the look”
Mile 38.6 - (Approx.) - Daryl has arrived to the aftermath of a serious bike crash from the scene of the accident. There are blood trails splattered here and there over the road. A bike rider is laying in the middle of the intersection while his bike is just barely off the road. Meanwhile, people are there helping direct traffic around him and also looking after him while an ambulance is hopefully on the way.
Quickly looking around, Daryl thinks that this rider was making his turn, when maybe his tires slipped in some dirt/sand on the road which caused him to have an accident.
This is the first accident Daryl has seen this year. His heart goes out every time he sees someone laying on the road unconscious surrounded by other people.
Mile 39 - (Approx.) - The wind is still blowing in from the South, but currently not a factor in this part of Daryl’s ride. All the riders are currently riding East. Pretty flat terrain from what he can see. Daryl can see many farm abodes along the road, which is actually okay to look at since there is nothing else to look at on the route.
Mile 44 - (Approx.) - The bike route finally ends its Easterly direction and all riders will head due South. Straight into the God-forgiven wind that has plagued the riders since the start of the Elephant Rock this morning.
Mile 46 - (Approx.) - The route now turns West. The Aid station is up ahead two or three miles Daryl surmises.
A few riders were catching up and passing Daryl on this little stretch of road. He guesses that he is starting to fatigue, but he is not sure. It also could be the wind that has been blowing ever since 4:30 this morning.
Even though he is at Mile 46, actually he is at mile 67. So, getting passed by a few riders might be the stronger riders, but Daryl is still able to pass other riders. That is a good indication he is still up to the task. Daryl knows that if he can still have the strength to ride other riders down, he still has the mind set. The determination. The drive. The passion. The fucking obsession he thrives on.
Mile 48 - (Approx.) - Daryl looks to the North and can only imagine that the fallen biker is still at the site of his accident. He gets a bit emotional thinking about this. Why he knows not. Maybe it is the Destiny that he is on and certain emotions are starting to manifest on this long journey of his. Who knows. He hopes this rider will be okay. He probably will not know, but never-the-less he nods his head in awareness of the possible site of the accident to the North of him.
Mile 48.3 - (Aid Station) - Daryl decides to stop and get some more food and drink.
This was also the first time he saw two riders wearing the same exact bike jersey he is sporting. The Santa Fe Century 2004 bike Jersey. And Daryl thought it would be all about him today. Shit. So much for being unique, yet wearing this jersey has already singled him out as a serious rider among the cyclist. To tackle the Santa Fe Century is a bit of a feat. Daryl did think about going over to these two riders, but decides not to. Pride might have played a factor in his decision. Also, these two riders were pretty darn old and Daryl did not want to be grouped into their group. Yeah, pride played a factor at this aid station.
Daryl pulls out the course map and noticed that the route continues west for a mile or so then turns South again. Yet, this will be final stretch of the route that includes a southern direction into the wind.
Mile 50 - (Approx.) - The road south does not look too intimating to Daryl. Straight and from the looks of it pretty much a downhill descentA rider passed Daryl by and for some reason Daryl decides to use him as a pacer. Daryl feels it is time for him to get ready for the rest of the ride. As if he has not been doing that since the beginning of the century ride, or more to the point, the beginning of his morning at 5:00 AM
What is a “pacer”? To Daryl that is someone Daryl can gauge his speed against without worrying about going to slow or too fast when riding alone. Daryl most of the time is able to pick out a good pacer to measure against. Whether Daryl takes the lead or not that depends on the other rider and how he or she is doing and acting.
Yes, readers there is a difference in a “Pace setter” and a “Pacer”
Mile 57 - (Approx.) - Behold. Truly the biking gods are with him.
On the top of his biking bag, which is resting on the front of his handlebars, is a Ladybug. Any orange ladybug you might see in a garden. Wow! This is the first of the year that Daryl has seen a Ladybug. Daryl knows this is a nice omen from the biking gods. The biking gods can deal out the unfortunate as we readers read in the Santa Fe Century 2004, but on the opposite end of the spectrum the biking gods can give inspiration and hope. Yet, as some of you readers know, Daryl thinks of “hope” as a very dangerous thing to believe in.
You may be saying to yourself that this omen is just superstitious. Perhaps. And you may be wondering why would Daryl believe in such a thing. Who knows? Yet, this sign from the biking gods gives a boost to Daryl’s mind. Not ego, but mind. This Ladybug looked comfortable sitting on his bag, while Daryl was pedaling down Burgess Road
Mile 59 - (Approx.) - “Hey. Looks like you have a lot of gears there?”
Daryl glances to the left and behind him and notices a rider pedaling along with him.
“Yeah, she’s got a few.”
Daryl and this rider held a nice conversation for a couple of miles. Talking about previous bike rides and rides that were ahead for the both of them. Also, Daryl did mention that he is attempting to ride over 150 miles today. This rider says wow and offers him supportive words.
Daryl then starts to get a bit edgy with another rider riding along him. He decides to pick up the pace and slowly leaves the rider behind him.
An opportunity to ditch this rider he was talking to came at a perfect time. Now, all Daryl had to do was watch the approaching intersection with the stoplight. Behold, Daryl saw that he was okay for the green and when he started to cross the intersection the stoplight changed to that all to familiar “amber” color we think of running all the time. When in fact you need to slow down.
Mile 60 - (Approx.) - Finally. Finally, finally and finally. Daryl has been looking forward to this part of the course. The first time the bike route will head North. North back to CastleRock, to the Start/Finish Line. So far in the Elephant Rock Daryl has officially ridden 60 miles, but overall he has rode 81 miles today. He hates going to Colorado Springs the hard way. Hah hah. Well, he would not be riding if it was not something to write about. Anyway, time to head North and he can literally feel the wind behind his back finally. He can also feel victory, his victory at hand, his triumph, his destiny.
Mile 61.2 (Aid Station) - Another crossroads, but this is a “T” junction intersection. The aid station is at the head of the junction and many bike riders are relaxing in the shade of the Black Forest Trees lining the road. The day has heated up nicely, but looking to the West Daryl can see the Clouds are building into what will most likely become rain clouds.
After spending about 15 minutes at this particular aid station the time to go was here. Daryl had used the restroom, got some more liquids and some oranges.
The route was due West and basically all downhill until the riders reach Highway 83 once again.
Mile 64 - (Approx.) - Highway 83/Shoup Road - Traffic has certainly increased from this morning. Traffic was heavy going South and North on Highway 83. Daryl had been riding pretty much alone since leaving the aid station.
There was about a half mile climb on Highway 83 going North and there was no road shoulder at all. Some construction off the Highway had eliminated the shoulder and with the heavy traffic going up this little hill is going to be a little tough with the traffic only about a foot of space.
After reaching the top of the hill the shoulder once again appeared and in the distance Daryl could see where the bike route turns West.
Mile 66.50 - (Approx.) - Highway 83/North Gate Road - Well another junction has been reached, but this junction is also the route of the 65-mile course joining the 100-mile route.
Just North of this junction there is an ambulance on the side of the road and most likely another biker who was involved in an accident. Daryl can not tell this far out from where he has turn west onto North Gate Road.
Mile 67 - (Approx.) - The route again changes to the North on Roller Coaster Road. Daryl saw that name on the route miles back and knew from the names that particular road is going to be up and down and if he was not careful about his strength he could see himself struggling with the climbs on the hills yet to come.
The beginning looked okay, but there were some pretty damn steep hill climbs before the next aid station.
Mile 68 (Approx.) - Daryl sees off to the right side of the road a “stand” . Some entrepreneur decided to make some money off some of the bike riders by offering some “ice cold” drinks. At a price of course.
Daryl was a bit peeved at seeing this, but then again since leaving CastleRock there has not been one convenience store that a rider could stop at and buy anything. So buying something at this “stand” would of been justifiable.
Mile 68.2 (Aid Station) - Daryl can see the rest stop off to the left on this particular hill climb and that meant some fresh refreshments.
Not. Damn those 65-mile bike riders. Daryl curses and Damns those 65-mile riders. They all but drank all the gatorade and other sports drinks that were available. All we had left to drink was water. Yes, that was okay for them, but not the fuck for him. Well, he had emptied his water bottle of water before going to the supposedly “Gatorade” table. Well, Daryl filled up with water once again. He then headed over to the food table and his eyes fell upon an open bag of Doritos. Yes Doritos. Not just Doritos, but Cheesier Doritos. Funny how some things appear like gold to some people’s eyes. All he could see was replenishing his salt in his body with those tasty Doritos. All in all, he grabbed about three handfuls of chips.
Mile 72 - (Approx.) - Daryl has reached the county line again of El Paso/Douglas County. This is also where the 50-mile course bike riders join the 100/65 mile route riders. Daryl definitely knows that the aid stations ahead will be operating at a minimum choices available. He is betting that the aid stations have already been plundered for the goodies. So much the better. The more Daryl gets worked up the better he gets. Well, getting “worked up” is better than saying Daryl getting fucking pissed off.
Mile 75 - (Approx.) - I-25/County Line Road - Seeing I-25 for the second time today he knows that the end is almost here, but more important Daryl is about to reach 100 miles on his journey.
After crossing the Interstate there is a short hill to climb before descending down to Palmer Lake and to the next to the last Aid Station of the Elephant Rock.
Oh, this short climb had an effect on Daryl. He is not sure where his strength left him, but this short climb was a bit tough. He guesses after the numerous hills starting when he got onto Roller Coaster Road has taken a lot of the strength out of him.
No way that he was going to get off his bike and walk to the top. No way. He actually stood up in the pedals and pushed his crank down with authority.
If you readers are new to Daryl’s journal, Daryl, at all costs, avoids walking his bike up a hill/mountain. For him to get off his bike and walk - that is defeat. He will find the strength, drop bike gears, do whatever it takes to stay on that bike of his and ride to the zenith.
Mile 76 - (Approx.) - After cresting the hill, he was relieved. He hated to admit that little climb took a bit from him. The next aid station was going to call for some actual rest. Granted, his strength was fairly tapped at 97 miles for him.
Mile 77.6 (Aid Station - Palmer Lake) - Daryl looked at his bike odometer and saw he officially reached 100.00 miles. His other bike odometer read 79.8 for the Elephant Rock. I guess that the bike route mileage is a bit off, but never-the-less 100 miles down and 50 to go for Daryl. Total time 6:53.46, 14.5 mph. average speed & 38.0 mph maximum
This Aid Station was basically nestled in near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Unfortunately, those white clouds that Daryl saw from the Black Forest were now gray and black and the sky was overcast with them everywhere. Mother Nature also decided to change the Southern wind that was blowing to an Easterly Wind. That was so unfair to Daryl. He should of been able to enjoy the wind at his back, since he had ridden so many miles into the wind. I guess someone had once said that life was not fair.
Mile 83 - (Approx.) - The only good thing for the past six miles or so and another six miles ahead of him the bike route is heading North and the elevation change is in his favor - going down.
Daryl was able to gather his strength and will back at the last aid station and now the end approached for him. More importantly was the weather and the wind. The weather is threatening rain and Daryl does not want for Andrea to get rained on.
Daryl and Andrea are riding with such urgency. Riding along the Rocky Mountain Foothills on Route 105.
Mile 88.8 - (Aid Station) - Daryl gives the aid Station barely a glance, but rides past without giving a thought of stopping for some fluids and food. Or even to rest. He is on a mission - to get ahead of the rain clouds that were making the sky dark.
Mile 90 - (Approx.) - Daryl has never been on this paved road in Douglas County. Actually he did not even know this road connected to I-25 from Route 105. He does know that the road will come out to the KOA Campground that is located right off I-25/Tomah Road.
The only bad thing when he turned onto Tomah Road is that the road was going up in Elevation. The next bad thing was he could not see where the road might reach the top. Daryl was wondering how long and how tough of a climb is this going to be for him. This portion of the course could spell disaster for him. Given that he has ridden over a hundred miles and fatigue has begun to take effect on him.
Mile 92 - (Approx.) - Daryl passed Andrea’s twin on the way to the top of the hill. She looked just as pretty as Andrea, but does not even match Andrea’s beauty.
Mile 93 - (Approx.) - The top of the hill. The first raindrops begin to fall.
Mile 94 - (Approx.) - I-25/Tomah Road - The Elephant Rock Bike Ride is about to come to a close and every rider can see CastleRock in the distance. The rain has yet to start, but sprinkles can be felt here and there.
Mile 95 - (Approx.) - The Northbound traffic on I-25 is very heavy. That could be in part to the graduating class at the Air Force Academy down in the Springs and most likely is over and everyone that came from Denver is heading back to Denver.
Mile 99 - (Approx.) - Exit 181 - CastleRock. The rain clouds blew right by and Daryl thanked the biking gods for sparing him and Andrea from the rain. Yes, another nods to the biking gods.
Mile 100 - Finish Line - According to Daryl’s bike odometers the official mileage is 101.58 for Elephant Rock or 123.62 miles total for him. Not too shabby. The other numbers are okay - 8:17:00 total time, 14.6 mph. average speed & 43.0 mph. maximum
Epilogue
The Elephant Rock was much more than the name. The third bike tour ride of 2004 and I was feeling very good about finishing the Elephant Rock. More important about finishing this bike ride of the day I only had another twenty-six miles to ride. Also, 26 miles to reach 150 miles. After parking my bike along one of the buildings at the Fairgrounds I needed to recoup some, if not all, nutrients I burned on the bike ride. The building was packed with riders and there seemed to be a lot or riders even though it was pretty late in the day for this many riders to be present.
I grabbed two lunches - yes two lunches. I earned those two lunches and I also needed to replenish my strength for the last leg of the journey.
After my nice so-so meal, I headed outside and found a spot on the grass and plopped down and relaxed while listening to the music playing in the background. I felt really good about myself for completing the Elephant Rock. I did not like paying money to bike where I train, but I saw this expense as justifiable for going the distance on this historic day of my life.
Will I do this ride again? Readers, we can almost assume no, but who knows - I might want to try another 150 mile bike ride next year. But then again.... I might be retired
Author’s Note
Okay - Final numbers of the 150.75 mile journey - total time 10:07.41, 14.9 mph average speed & 43.0 mph maximum.
I am going to tell you another part of my life.
If you really have read and followed my journals so far, I hopefully have entertained you to some extent. These journal are for me, but yet also for the people I meet in my lifetime. I may describe how much I enjoy what I do, but there is a another side I rarely touch upon.
Sacrifices. I have made many sacrifices on a lot of things in the past eight years for what I “love” to do. Yes - “Love”. I love being on my bike more than anything else in the world. Or if I can quote a line from a song
“Forever trusting who we are, and nothing else matters”
Love for me is the white line of the road, the endless concrete road into the unknown is what I embrace every day. Not a day goes by that I am reminded on what I have given up so far.
Women, driving, friendships, expensive hobby collecting and TV shows - just to name a few things items. In the beginning, giving up on what I thought was important in my life was... well hard. Dedication you wonder? Maybe in the beginning, but then to become a better cyclist. To be the best you might be asking? Yes and no. No, because I know that I am basically past the “prime age” for a serious cyclist and near the retiring age of a pro bike racer. Yes, because I wanted something to keep me trying harder and harder.
However, I still do enjoy junk food, I drink and date in my off-season (which for some unknown fucking reason gets fucking shorter and shorter each year!). I get up early and go to bed late. I literally push myself until I feel my body and mind are to the point of shutting down. I have been known to eat Reeses Peanut Butter cups in excess. I am not perfect. I am not the best. I am not an immortal. Yet, I yearn to be. Yearn. Webster’s definition - “to feel tenderness or compassion”.
The rewards so far have been tremendous for me. And my ego! I have pictures, medals, jerseys, a couple of trophies, bib numbers, brochures, my web site and bragging rights. Some are displayed, but I have to admit most of these items are in a xerox paper size box. I am very single and most of the time I have to share my accomplishments with the people I know. I do not think this is bragging from my point of view, but I do see how it could be.
I would have to say I have accomplished more, much more, than I ever imagined myself doing. If I were to say good bye - I would not think twice about looking back at what I have attained.
There is still one important, VERY important, goal in my life. That is to be an IronMan athlete. I want to be in the Ironman Hawaii Triathlon - 2.4 mile swim, 114 mile bike, 26.2 run. A destiny I hope to fulfill in the next few years.
Until the next time, remember
“Nothing else Matters”
w-i-t-h-u-t-m-o-s-t-s-i-n-c-e-r-i-t-y
Daryl
aka CalSeti
June 19, 2004
Englewood, Colorado
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
