Post by SeanWalsh on Sept 14, 2018 21:16:15 GMT
Hi all,
As many of you are aware by now, I have decided to move to another club. I had planned to come forward to you guys when it became official, but a lot happened meanwhile and I haven’t had the chance to sit down and do it properly, until now.
It won’t come as a surprise if I say I am not that much of a rider – I have, due to the circumstances, a fair bit more of time in my hands than most folks do. And what I chose to do with that spare time is have fun with my bike. Throughout this year I came across my many limitations, both physically and technically. But, believe it or not, that was not a bother because it is the process that makes me happy: you see yourself improving and you jump into something you never really though you would be able to do before. I haven’t accomplished everything I wanted, but that’s ok, I achieved more than I initially hoped for and there’s work to be done, so there’s fun in that - I am this tiny little bit better today than I was yesterday. I can do this new thing I couldn’t do before. And dream of things that could be…
Why do it? Maybe because I get the kicks out of it, makes the days easier to go by, takes me to roads I have never been, landscapes I’ve never seen, new people you meet. Makes me feel active, healthier, stronger. Keeps me going. Makes me happier. If you are reading this - in this forum! - I am sure you know what I am talking about. Couldn’t you get all that without the racing? You see, racing is just another new road , another unseen landscape. But most importantly, I believe, it is inherently part of it: cycling is a sport - racing is the spirit of cycling.
All this is just to try to explain how all that I did this year was so very special for me. But that didn’t start this year: it started last year when I arrived here in Ireland. When I looked for a cycling club, so that I could get to know the roads around and have people to ride with. And I was very, very lucky, because I found the Carrigdhoun CC and its good people. So I have a lot to thank you guys, because it was how you embraced me - how you received a total stranger in the club - that allowed me to continue to do something that I love.
You truly are amazing people.
Then why changing clubs? To make it clear, that decision had mostly to do with something that is implied in the racing but you don't really think much about – all the travelling around. Looks like a small detail, but it is a big deal. The trigger was some months ago, after my car accident, coming from a race, as some of you know.
I did thought about moving before (after I tried to convince some guys in the club to join me) as I know that it is important to have good training partners and team mates in the races – it is a team sport and it makes a big difference. But I was ok with it. I do my thing on training, and we have some good riders in the club, so I’ll be able to go out with them, right? Right?
But I won’t lie and say that I didn’t whished for some things to be different. At one point, I think that a “fitting” issue comes into play – what I want and get my kicks vs what other people in the club do. That’s on me, the club is mostly a social club and that is just fine. But after all that conversation regarding group colors and speeds in last year’s AGM, I really felt some of it had to do with me – it had to, I was the only Red that was out every single weekend, I think I only would miss a club spin if I was back home or ill… And I was aware that sometimes I got carried away and might have pushed things a bit too far, and cracked the spin spirit and so I really didn’t want it to become an issue anymore. did try to amend this but at one point there are only so many invites you will take to move up the field until you stop doing it - I know it is just a candid response, no intentions other than protecting the group, keeping the pace a certain way. But believe it or not, on some of those days, I just wanted some company. This resulted in a very small number of club spins, as opposed to last year. I am an outsider, it’s not on me to impose myself or my rules on how club spins should be. But even if you don’t agree with me, I do recommend you to discuss this more thoroughly within the club.
Of course it piles up and at one point, it stops making sense: you are training alone, traveling alone, racing alone. And I am not in a position to continuously do that. So when that accident happened I realized it was time to move, it was just a question of finding where to.
SO I moved mid season because I was hoping to have some company to hit the final races of the season strong, after some really unlucky months - just to break some bones in my holidays...
Other stuff that happened? Just minor stuff, mostly annoying more than anything else. Wouldn't leave the club for that because I don’t confuse the club with a few people. But neither should they, by the way.
I am sure that we will continue to see each other and ride out in the road – I have no plans of stop riding with the people I love and heck, the road is open for everybody. And those that don’t like it, well... they have good remedy!! 😉 (plenty of options there!)
Thank you for allowing me to proudly wear the Carrigdhoun Cycling Club jersey. It was a pleasure and a true honor and those colors will be forever engraved in some of my life’s most special memories. Be sure I did my very best for that jersey to be respected on the road every single time.
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Cheers!
Best of luck Dave, was always a pleasure to cycle with you, hopefully will meet you on the road some time