An Excerpt

This evening I sent a quick note to Mark Stevenson (Guitar Ted).  It felt as if I was telling coach that I wouldn't be playing ball again this season...


"I am heading to AZ to race in the AZT 300 the weekend before TI this year.  By the somber tone, this of course means I am withdrawing my name from the roster for TI this year. 


Believe me when I say that this was a tough choice to make.  I hold you responsible in a large way for my endurance addiction!  I mean that in the best of ways.  TI was the first endurance event that I ever participated in.  When I finished it my mind was blown.  I discovered things about my ability that I never knew and it sent me in a completely new direction.  So I toiled, raced 100 mile MTB events, gravel, Divide, and TI three more times.  These experiences are why I started Cheq 100 and TW.  I will continue to come back to them and I will be back to TI.  For this year though, I'm heading west.


When it comes down to it there are a dozen other riders out there who can set a TI course record and win the event.  Gorilla, Ek, Godfrey, Krause, Andre, Doom, and several others are all working hard for it.  It will be exciting to sit on the sidelines and listen in.  I'll want to be there physically on race day I'm sure.


Thank you too you and D.P. for continuing to develop the cycling scene here in the upper Midwest.  I will be forever indebted to you for it."

-- 

A lot of time, physical and emotional energy over the last four years have gone into my spring preparation for the TransIowa over the last four years.


Photo Credit: Captain Bob


I'll miss riding with competitors and comrades that I enjoy spending time with.  Have fun out there on the roads of Iowa!