We all watch our heros destroy climbs, effortlessly bomb through descents, and seemingly never fatigue as the kilometres stretch behind them. But sadly for many of us dreams of the podium seem out of reach.
But what’s wrong with that?
When I ran across this tweet from Bikeridr friend and contributor @hydec, I thought that it was time to plead a case for the middle of the pack.
You don’t race to win,
you race because you love it.
Not every push is a push for the podium,
but always a push for improvment.You chase wheels, and defend yours,
and find victories in the small things:
Dropping a wheel, cleaning a section,
feeling the rush, or just going fast.You love feeling exhausted, but invigorated
as the race comes to and end.
You might round out the back of the pack,
until one day you don’t.You like not taking thing too seriously,
and thrive on mid-pack rivalries.
Or, you use those rivalries to slowly grow stronger
and leave the middle of the pack behind you.You race to see what you’re made of,
and make yourself better.
So why do you race? Why isn’t the Sunday ride enough for you? What inspiration can you give friends to keep them motivated and enjoying the race scene, even if they’re not topping the podium?
Photo courtesy of Michael (a.k.a. moik) McCullough
Clearly, I can identify with this, as I tend to sit somewhere mid pack more often than not. Sure, I always train and push to break into the top ten, and even the podium. But something I’ve noticed about when I do crack the top ten, or even the few times I’ve stood on the podium, is that it doesn’t really matter. At the end of the race I still feel exhausted and exhilarated, no matter where I finished. I really noticed this last weekend at the Red Cross CX race when I came in 27/42. My battle in the mid pack was just as hard fought as it would have been anywhere in the field. I pushed myself as far and as hard as I could, and for that day and that race, that was all I could do. I still got to stand around after and regale the other racers with exciting moments from my race, just like they could with theirs. No one cares that my moments happened somewhere behind them, or in front of them. Sure it would be nice to stand on the podium more often, but everyone at the races are so chill about it all. The podium just isn’t that big a deal, which leads me to agree with the idea that we’re all just out there racing, to race, to push ourselves and have some fun doing it. You can’t beat that.
That was a bit of a ramble, so to answer the question more succinctly, I’ll borrow words from my buddy, Waleed, in saying that when you race and want to race well, you sleep well, you eat well, and you want to take better care of yourself. Sure the racing itself is fun, but for me it’s more about the community and the lifestyle that racing fosters. Speaking of, I need to go get another glass of water down before lunch.
What a great topic for discussion Ken!
I agree with everything Sheldon has to say.
Why do I race? Because I love riding my bike, challenging myself and meeting new people.
I’ve been pretty much everywhere on the spectrum and like Sheldon my favorite races weren’t always my best results or podiums. Results say so little about a race.
My motivational advice is to always have fun and to always have a goal going into the race whether it’s to beat that one person or to not get lapped or go for the hole shot…having a goal will make you feel like you’ve accomplished something and I think that’s what makes racing fun.
– Kyle
I agree with all of the above, for those of us not being paid to race, but rather those who pay to race we do it because we love the push, it’s all about personal improvement to many of us. It’s also as stated by you guys about the wicked community the fun after a race and the chance to get away from a grind. I’ve also noticed this summer, that even the guys who get paid to ride bikes are very chill and there never seems to be any animosity, the rivalry for even them stays on the racecourse. Truly the best sport ever in every way that a sport could be great, the people, the competition the scenery and the physical push!
I’ve had some good results at the tuesday night races that i didn’t feel good about, and I’ve finished at the back and felt happy with my race afterward. For me it isn’t about the result (although good results are a bonus). I race as a challenge to myself. If i won and I knew i didn’t race as hard as I could, i’d be disappointed. If I finish mid-pack, but raced the best race that I had in me and left every ounce of energy i had out on the course, then i’d be really happy.
I like the scene, and I like the people. But really it’s all about me. It’s about pushing myself, and the internal struggle. I love looking back at the moments i have in every race (some races more than once) where I realize how stupid it is and how I should just quit and end the suffering, but then I keep pushing hard.
My sentiments are similar to those who have commented before me. My personal achievements are much more important that my finishing position. I have been on the podium and it was cool, but I didn’t feel like I earned it that day as it wasn’t my best effort. My proudest moments were the races where I felt like no matter how much more preperation I had put in, there wasn’t any way I could have performed better that I did that day. That is an awesome feeling to have inside. Having a group of friends to race with and share those moments with makes the experiences even better.
I’ve been lapped in 2 out of 3 cross races I’ve done this year. And oddly – I’m okay with that (mostly because I’m racing against Pepper, Katy, Bridget, Shantel etc).
I like racing for the endorphins after the race. I’m always proud that I showed up at the start line, even knowing that my lack of fitness is going to make me suffer & suffer lots.
I’m with Sheldon on being able to stand around & talk to the other racers after the race and that no one cares where you finished. Those who didn’t race are just impressed that you were out there going hard.
I love standing on the podium though – no denying that. But if I were only in it for that, I’d get very little satisfaction from racing. :P
No doubt, the funnest races are the ones where I feel like I am in a good battle with one or more other competitors, whether it is for a podium spot or somewhere down the results list. It’s fun do do big races like Canada Cups, Nationals, etc., but I have had just as much fun battling friends and fellow racers at the Dark Knight or a Tuesday ‘cross race. More often than not, I would rather finish mid pack in a good race with a lot of good competition than podium in a race with a starting field of 8 or 10 people.