Fruit Loops

 

 

 

You join a group ride and as you climb you hear their breathing more than yours.  You aren’t the first to the top of the climb but as you crest the top you hear that the one that got there first “has been racing for years”.  Friends are complimenting you on how strong of a rider you are and some start to encourage you to race.

 

Bicycle racing is an Olympic sport. The IOC has selected USA Cycling as its governing body.  USA Cycling has “categories” for its riders, which helps to keep the sport challenging and fun.  Racers have options to compete against riders with similar years of experience or age graded peers.  Newly licensed male racers start out with other category 5 athletes, gaining experience and getting comfortable in various racing conditions over a variety of distances including open roads, in the corners, in the hills and in a sprint.  After ten events and (hopefully) a few skills clinics and good experiences racers “upgrade” to a category 4.  To upgrade from a 4 to 3, 3 to 2 or 2 to 1 racers must do well in races to “earn their upgrade”.  While this adds to the excitement of events, as racers fight for better placings, it also discourages teamwork. 

 

Yesterday, 13 year old Team Specialized Junior Sean McElroy sprinted to the win in both his 13-14 race AND in his category 3 race at the Cherry Pie Criterium in Napa.  An incredible feat for a rider so young!

 

Immediately after his win Sean was interviewed by the announcer who said “I just have one question – what did you have for breakfast” to which Sean answered “Fruit Loops”

 

Oh, to be 13 again!

 

But, the truth to the nutritional side of the story goes a bit deeper.  While Sean had Fruit Loops for breakfast, he had a 8:25am start for his 13-14 race.  Since the event was only 15 minutes long, one could argue that Fruit Loops fueled him to victory.  Sadly, in the 15-16/ 17-18 race at 8:40am Sean “was too tired”.  That realization gave him time to refuel in time for his 11am category 3 win.  That’s how the “Fruit Loops” story goes down.

 

Cheers, Larry Nolan, Team Specialized Junior Director