Five Things People Don't Know

Gary B tagged me and asked that I disclose five things that people don't know about me. However, since I am a simple person and have had this blog since October of 2005, it may be tough, but here goes:

1. I competed in wrestling beginning at age 7 and continued through high school. In high school I cut a lot of weight, despite my wrestling coach (who was also my physics teacher) advising otherwise. He told me to wrestle my natural weight and do more push ups....how pragmatic! I did not listen and was dieting all the time during the season and as a result was bitter and moody. Because of this and various other character flaws, once a match started, I liked hurting people, not in a broken bone kind of way, but in total domination kind of way. Don't be alarmed, I don't like hurting people anymore, except, when I can, on a bike.

2. During 100 mile races and 12/24 hour races, I am constantly doing math in my head. All sorts of things, number of laps, pace, estimating miles per hour, calculating finish time, etc. Sometimes it amazes me that I am actually able to ride the trails/race while my mind is bogged down with various calculations.

3. I have been a lot of places here in the USA over the years, but have never been to Colorado. I am a serious mountain biker who has never ridden in the Rocky Mountains. Is this strange? I am going this summer for sure.

4. This one is stupid, but I wear contact lenses as I am near sighted (can't see distance). I also wear them while training/racing and in the 7 years of racing, have only had them come out once during a race.

5. For my 8th birthday, my parents bought me a Honda SL 70 dirtbike. If you were into dirt bikes, you know this bike, it was the predeccesor to the Honda XR 75. My dad had bought it used (in a basket) months before my birthday and told me he was fixing it up for a local kid. He operated a motorcycle repair shop out of our house, so this did not seem strange. So for several weeks, I was riding this bike that eventually would be my b-day present. I would occasionally get to "test ride" the other bikes he fixed before the owners picked them up so I fell for it hook line and sinker. I was so surprised on my birthday when he presented the bike to me, in fact I did not believe him at first. Over the years, I rode that bike after school just about EVERY day!

That's it. A renaissance man, I am not. No hidden or remarkable talents, skills, etc. As I said before, I am a simple man...family, work and cycling. That's about it but it works for me.

Later,
BRD