Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Team Mates

Last Friday I was riding up Happy Valley Road (I call it Angry Valley) towards Lafayette. I flatted and was having a hell of a time getting the rear tire off the DT Swiss rim. It was not pretty. All of the sudden a white car comes racing down the hill towards me and stops. I was waiting for some inappropriate language and was not disappointed, it was Ken giving me a bad time. He was a real savior; he ripped the tire off the rim with his bare hands and then put a new tube in and got the tire back on! I had been trying to use a skewer to do it! That was real teamwork and I really appreciate it. I will do the same when the time comes. Of course the tire flatted again about 4 miles later and I had to use two skewers to get it off the rim; my follow vehicle never showed up! Thanks again Ken!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Mentor Profile: Rob Anderson

1. Place in your first race?
[Rob Anderson] It was a long time ago so my memory may be suspect but I think it was 58th place at a NORBA National in Mammoth in the late 1980's.

2. Ride alone or with friends?
[Rob Anderson] Always with friends!

3. Favorite subject in school?
[Rob Anderson] In grade school through high school it was PE. At University it was a finance class with a professor who later mentored me in the business world.

4. First bike ever?
[Rob Anderson] I think it was something like a Schwinn cruiser when I was about 8 years old.

5. Favorite post race meal?
[Rob Anderson] One of my wife's superb pasta dishes. I usually crave protein so it will likely include some seasoned tofu product.

6. Race you are most proud of and why?
[Rob Anderson] Winning the World Mountain Biking Championship in 2006 and not for the reason that might seem most obvious. What made me most proud was that my whole family was there to cheer me on and celebrate it with me. My mother, brothers, nieces, nephews and in-laws were there, but more importantly, my wife and daughters were at the finish line when I was the first to cross it.

7. Boxers or briefs?
[Rob Anderson] Have never worn boxers so it's briefs

8. What sport would you do if you weren't a cyclist?
[Rob Anderson] The injuries in hockey forced me off the ice otherwise I probably would never have taken up the sport of cycling. So if it wasn't cycling, I would still be playing hockey.

9. Biggest accomplishment ever?
[Rob Anderson] This one is real easy. I have two daughters, ages 12 and 9. They are kind, caring, loving, healthy and happy. I assume my wife and I contributed at least in some part to these characteristics and is therefore my biggest accomplishment ever.

10. Real food or the other stuff on rides?
[Rob Anderson] I am perhaps an anomaly on this front as I don't eat on rides (although I do when I race) only drink water. During races I eat energy blocks and drink energy drinks as opposed to real food like fruit or juices.

11. Razor, waxing, or electric?
[Rob Anderson] Hey, I am a old mountain biker so never have and never will shave my legs.

12. Green, polka dots, or the stage 20 TT?
[Rob Anderson] Climbing seems to be what I do best so definitely polka dots.

13. Celebrity you resemble the most?
[Rob Anderson] I've been told I look a little like Baryshinikov.

14. First job ever?
[Rob Anderson] When I was 11 years old I had a paper route, I was a paper boy.

15. Single most important piece of advice you give to your kids?
[Rob Anderson] Be a good person and be honest.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Overijse... that's a memory!

This coming Sunday I'll be logging onto www.cyclingnews.com to check out the cyclocross results from Vlaamse Druivenveldrit in Overijse, Belgium. Oh, how I wish I was there to see the action.

Back in 2001-2002 my family and I lived in Belgium for a year. It was a great experience. We found a Christian church within the first few days of arriving, it was close to where we lived and it was in Overijse. We felt welcomed and comfortable there and the locals talked about a big cycling event in town around Christmas.

I'm not much of a cyclocross racer but I had to give it a try. Dec. 23, 2001 ... it's not important how I did, but snow was falling when I raced and I had a smile on my face for 45 minutes! Fast forward to the Pro race and I was in awe that these guys were racing over terrain that I was walking only hours before. Amazing efforts. Amazing bike handling skills. Amazing camera work (he he) and a great memory.

Check out www.cyclingnews.com for details. You can bet that I will! Cheers, Larry