Kiddos
Last night was the second to last Exeter Cycles Wednesday night ride of the year and I'm told whenever I show up, the pace ticks even faster. I've never been there to experience what it's like when I'm not there, so I can't easily confirm nor deny that.So picture this: our group of nearly 30 takes a left hand corner and quickly gets back up to full speed. Seconds later, we zip past a father and son out for an evening ride. From of the corner of my eye, I see recognize the father son pair as Tom and Luca. Luca, the younger, especially stands out because he's dressed as mini-me. Namely, he's aboard a Cannondale, is in Cannondale green jersey, sports a matching POC helmet, not to mention has a RoadID decorating his wrist. He and his father have taken part in a handful of King Challenge events over the years, with the more memorable occasion being when he rode the entire 100km distance of the long ride... while on a stationary trainer set up in the parking lot next to the Cannondale Team bus parked at the expo because he had a cast that spanned from his hand past his elbow!Moments later as we're shuffling between 27 and 32mph, and you can just catch it in the clip below, I'm surprised to hear:Luca: Hi Ted!Me: ...uhh, hi Luca. (I'm so shocked, I literally laugh out loud.) Oh that's priceless. Luca just turned 14 years old. I believe the last time and perhaps only time I've seen him ride, he was aboard a trainer with an ear to ear smile next to that aforementioned team bus wrapped up in a cast. Here's that ear to ear grin again once he's worked his way into the rotation. At 6'2" tall, I have a tall build. I probably have a towering foot over Luca, so he's stoked with this draft I'm putting off.
I remember the first time I did the Exeter Cycles Wednesday night ride. I got my doors blown off and spat out the back. But that's what cycling is about. It's about challenges, achieving them and not, and then putting your head down, doing the work, and surprising even yourself. It's about setting goals. It's about camaraderie. It's about getting together with your buddies on a Wednesday evening (or Monday morning!) and screaming down the road at mach 10 with a big toothy smile. Impressive ride Luca.And equally impressive ride by Sebastian. It occurred to me as I was stepping in the door last night that Sebastian, who was tearing legs off on the front of the group the entire evening, is literally half my age. I'll be turning 34 soon and he's about to reach 17. Just like age, it felt like he was doing twice as many watts as I was, since even being in his draft I was often sitting at 500+w. He's stepping into his second full year racing cyclocross and I know he's going to put together an awesome year.The future is bright. Well done guys. Keep it up. Keep having fun.