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I've been cycling for as long as I can remember. I clocked in my first Century (100 miles in a day) at age 11 during a Diabetes fund raising event. But it was during my University years that I was introduced to competitive events.
I saw that UCLA had a cycling club for both recreational and competitive cycling. I joined with the group for the recreational aspect but my competitive nature quickly had me training for racing events. I had a great time competing in the California collegiate division against Berkeley, Stanford, SLO and a slew of other Universities. Having enjoyed the collegiate race scene so much I spent my summers racing for a club team (Rio Strada) based out of a local shop in Sacramento, The Bicycle Business. Although my success as a competitive cyclist was modest at best, I did enjoy my share of victories and an amazing athletic sub-culture that I will never forget. I raced mostly on the road but did dabble in track, cyclo-cross and mountain bike events. I even once competed in an event called the Ultimate Kamikaze. This was a downhill mountain bike race from 11,000 feet to 4,000 feet in the course of only 12 miles! The countryside ridden, road trips and friends have made this an enjoyable part of my life. I still ride for recreation and when the competitive fires flare I do attempt an occasional triathalon or cycling race. |
