One of the things that I LOVE about bike-packing/endurance racing is the community. Through riding I've met so many wonderful people, angels, that have supported my crazy dreams that it positively blows my mind. I wouldn't be able to do what I get to do without them, so in no particular order, a small portion of the people who I feel forever indebted to for helping me follow my dreams, as silly and outrageous as they may be.
From left to right:
Carey - Thank you for the Chamois Butt'r. My rear end thanks you! The water bottle you gave me accompanied me on the CTR and the tee-shirt will make an excellent addition to a costume someday. ;)
LW - Back in November when I committed to getting coaching help from LW, I was skeptical. I'm not terribly good at being told what to do, so I was afraid that I'd miss out on skiing, miss out on big rides in the summer, and be slow on top of it all. During Camp Lynda, I got my rear handed to me day after day and I started to worry that my early winter worries were coming true. Then I rode pretty fast at 24-hours of Old Pueblo and when it came time to hit the dirt for real at the end of April, I felt better on a bike than I ever had. I recovered from a smashed face in June, had a glorious July riding in my home, never feeling like I was missing out, and then put together a solid CTR that I'm incredibly proud of. I couldn't have done it without LW's guidance. I'm eternally grateful. (Thank you for talking me out of trying the Tour Divide/CTR double, a winter triathlon, singlespeed nationals, and racing while on antibiotics and my teeth being held in by a wire. All excellent suggestions.)
Cat - Cat and I carpooled to Camp Lynda back in January after having never really met other than at the startline of the CTR in 2010. It's rare that you can spend 5 hours with a person and know that you'll become lifelong friends and when it happens, you learn to cherish it. Thank you for for the nights I've spent on your floor, for all the chats, and for pushing me every mile of this year's CTR. You are an amazing athlete, person, soul.
Jeny (in spirit) - Your unicorns and ponies kept me going through the darkest parts of my CTR. Those who don't believe that humans can transfer energy over space and time have obviously never met Jj. I loved turning my phone on and getting 17 new text messages about where I was during earlier parts of the day. Thank you for all the love.
Also pictured:
Walt - You build amazing bikes. I'm sure by now you highly regret ever building me my hardtail way back when because I know you've tried to kick me off the Dream Team at least a dozen times now without success. Sorry. I'm probably far more of a pain in the ass than I'm worth.
Ergon - Ergon hooks it up when it comes to grips. The best part is, when they send me the newest pair, I get to give my old pair to a friend to continue to enjoy. Sharing the love, spreading the gospel. I think they're great.
As most of you know, I'm not the world's greatest bike mechanic. There's an understatement for ya! So to keep my rolling, I frequent three shops who all treat me like family. I never had a shop I loved in the Front Range, so to have three nearby that I love and trust is a blessing.
The Alpineer - Cram is the single most sought after mechanic in the valley, yet somehow he always seems to find time to help my poor bicycle out on short notice. He also dispenses sage advice, such as, 'Eszter, get new handle bars before these break, please.' Or 'You're fork is blown. You need a new one.' Doh!
Rock N' Roll Sports - Dave Moe has been an amazing supporter of mine since the day I wandered into his shop last year. He was instrumental in acquiring CTR gear and is always good for a word of encouragement and support. Plus, he has the best trail at Hartmans named after him.
Absolute Bikes is a legendary shop in Salida. Scot Banks is a legendary mechanic. When I took my bike by on the Saturday before CTR with the sheepish admission that I'd touched my brakes, he dropped everything, ignoring the ever-lengthening line of broken carbon road bikes from the Salida Omnium race, to bleed my brakes, scoff at my pedals, and put a new pro-looking cable guide on for my front brake. I have never had my bike work as well as it did during this years CTR.
Dr. Sites of Salida Family Dentistry. This may seem like a weird one, but 2 months ago when I tried my hardest to knock my teeth out and break my jaw, Dr. Sites came in to work on my mouth on a Sunday afternoon. He shoved my teeth back into place, splinted them, fit me into his schedule to give me two root canals two days later, and told me to keep my fingers crossed. Apparently, had they not gone back in as quick as they did or the root canals happen as quick as they did, the chances of being able keep my teeth would have dramatically decreased. As it stands right now, my jaw is healed, the splint is off, and things are looking good. This could have turned into a giant ordeal, but it didn't. I was off the bike for exactly two days.
American Classic Wheels - I first got into contact with Clay at AC through the Waltworks Dream Team. When that team fell apart, I gave Clay a call to inquire about a new set of wheels. A week later, they arrived and AC have been rock-solid supporters of me ever since. There's nothing better than solid equipment, especially when it weighs next to nothing.
My family - When I was younger, my parents instilled great dreams into my head. M.D./Ph.D's, success and fortune, and they got me, still racing my bike at nearly 30. While at first, they were luke-warm about my high ambitions as an athlete and relatively low ambitions in any field that makes money, they seem to have increased their excitement about it, especially if I send them a newspaper clipping about me every now and then. It didn't even seem to phase them this year that I was headed out on a 500 mile trek across Colorado by myself.
Chris - I don't even need to write anything here. Those who understand, understand.
Thank you Universe, for surrounding me with angels. I feel truly blessed.
U rock E!
Posted by: Plesko | August 11, 2011 at 06:50 PM
There are those who inspire you and those you inspire. I fall into the latter. I hope to do as well as you have in my first foray in this multi day self supported racing scene.
Posted by: carey lowery | August 11, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Yeah! So delightful to read, so delightful to know you.
Posted by: Cat Morrison | August 11, 2011 at 10:55 PM
It's kind of a funny thing to call these "self supported" when we draw so much from others, especially in the inspiration department. Great post, great community. We're lucky.
Posted by: Scott Morris | August 15, 2011 at 03:20 PM