And. . .that’s a wrap. Put a fork in it. Il Fine. My 2009 race season is over and I’m looking forward to some summer fun. This fun will involve family activities rooted in my youth, like watching CHiPs, eating chips, drinking orange drink, and playing video games.
Speaking of family, I’ve been impressing by how closely knit our family of Northeast Oregon cyclists is. It brings a tear to my eye to see how everyone has pulled together as a team. It’s not so much that we do this by choice but the rarity of cyclists in Northeast Oregon, particularly those that race, compels us to join forces. We share a common bond in traveling long distances to find races, enduring harsh winters, and being simple country people up against the big city folks. With this battle cry, we set aside any personal differences to focus on one task: the support of each other as cyclists.
We’ve rallied together for supporting one team, because we know that with our low cycling population we can’t afford to have several clubs with similar missions. We broadly encompass all forms of racing and riding. Triathletes happily get along with cyclists. Mountain bikers happily get along with roadies. Club riders happily get along with racers. It’s like a glimpse of cycling heaven in Northeast Oregon.
I also get choked up when I think about the overwhelming level of support for local events. We cherish these events because there are so few, so we make the most of each opportunity we have to participate locally. Every single person that rides a bike seems to show up to the MTB events, road races, charity rides, triathlons, and group rides.
There is an astounding display of local pride in Northeast Oregon, and because of it I’m proud to say I am a cyclist of Northeast Oregon. The only appropriate analogy I can think of for the level of group cohesion and decorum is that of a middle school girl’s club. Only because I’ve been emotionally moved by this, I’ve stayed loyal to Oregon Trail Racing because I love being part of this team and what it represents.
1 comment so far
I totally agree. It is a long cry for unparalleled commitment to each other as cyclists in NE Oregon! Just trying to start a conversation with others is like trying to blow air through a piece of glass. It ends up in vain, and I look like a fool from the observers’ side. But, heck! I’m just your local grocery guy. What do I know?!
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:15 am
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