Collegiate Track Nationals

I was told by a very important person that if I wanted to be great at one thing then I needed to be great at everything that I do. This is a philosophy that I live by and it has brought me great opportunities from my accomplishments on and off the bike.

Through the USA Cycling Federation, bike riding has given me the opportunity to grow as a cyclist and experience new places that I never dreamed of going. Bike racing has taken me to Europe, into the heart of Mexico, and to the sweeping Cape of South Africa, and Europe. My present adventure is taking place in the Blue Ridge Mountains where I am attending and racing for Lees McRae College, Banner Elk, NC. I have moved from one coast to another; a whole, 2,659 miles away from home. I now have a new "family", so to say, with my team. Lees McRae cycling team is not only a bunch of people that all love to race their bikes, but full of people that welcome you into the team; a comradery that is not easily found.

College life is full of new experiences such as being away from home, dorms, cafeteria food, new friends, new roads to train on, and to my surprise track bikes; silly, fixed geared bikes. I had not figured that one into my college experience. But before I knew it I was signed up for the 500M TT, 3KM pursuit and the 3KM team pursuit with three weeks to prepare for Collegiate Nationals with not track bike.

I was in need of my old Croll track bike that has been collecting dust hiding out in my shed back home for the last five years. My track bike was a fashion disaster with a personality. An old yellow frame paired with a hideous blue saddle that didn’t seem too happy about being neglected. But with some work, the old bike was cleaned up ready for its first adventure in track racing. With the final touches of areo wheels and clip-on bars it was set to go. What's a better time to get out the old Croll than for Collegiate Track Nationals?

Collegiate Track Nationals was an amazing experience from the drive to Indianapolis (we broke down three times), to racing, to being with my team. My favorite event at Nationals was the Team Pursuit. We had little time to prepare for this event and yet we were pretty awesome scoring second in our fist official ride together. After that success it seemed like things started falling into place for the rest of the team. We finished fourth in the team omnium.

It is now time for the old, yellow track bike to head back home to the shed, but you can expect to see me next year at Collegiate Nationals racing my bike.