Wednesday’s Mailbag: Boulder, sportsmanship, a real champ, photo galleries and Jaw-juh
The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
Wilcockson revives fond memories
Editor:
Kudos to John Wilcockson for his delightful column about his 62nd birthday road ride around Boulder. As a 28-year-old Colorado native, an avid mountain biker, and the son of a former recreational road racer, I grew up watching the Coors Classic. It’s fun to think back to the days of the 7-Eleven team – Davis Phinney, Raúl Alcalá, Andy Hampsten, Ron Kiefel. … I remember my dad ushering my brother and me up to Bernard Hinault to get his autograph. The Coors Classic is a great part of Colorado history, and those memories will always be fond ones.
J.B. Green
Englewood, Colorado
Flatlander misses the Flatirons
Editor:
It has been 20 years since my days of Category IV racing in and around Boulder. The most recent article by Mr. Wilcockson brought back incredible memories, especially the ride up to Ward and the Peak to Peak. I have no amazing anecdotes about the twice-weekly trek up to 10,000 feet, but I sure had fun doing it. I just wanted you to know that it brought a smile to my face after a busy day at work here in the flatlands of North Carolina. Thanks.
Mike Valenti
Clinton, North Carolina
Boulder ain’t what it used to be
Editor:
I’ve done the same ride or variations of John Wilcockson’s birthday ride many times, and I appreciated his illustration of the beauty of the area.
The problem is that his list of all the cycling luminaries who have or did appear in Boulder made me realize that Boulder ain’t what it used to be as a hotbed of cycling. The riders ain’t what they used to be, and the riding ain’t what it used to be either, especially on the plains.
Many of the good rides east and north of Boulder have been choked by the sheer volume of traffic, combined with Colorado’s inability to maintain the roads in the conditions they should be, let alone improve them to keep pace with growth. Some rides in the foothills are crapshoots fraught with danger from bad road conditions and inhospitable mountain dwellers who think their two years of residence gives them the right to attempt to kill cyclists who have been riding the roads in the area for 20 years.
Add to that the insanely lame mountain-biking situation in Boulder (headquarters of IMBA!) when compared to other nearby areas, and it is clear that Boulder as a cycling mecca has gone down, down, down.
R.I.P., Boulder. Durango, anyone?
Scott Ledbetter
Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado
Letter reminds us there is hope in sport
Editor:
Dear Mr. Selden: Thank you for bringing to light something that is good and noble back into our sport. Your letter (see Monday’s Mailbag: “And now, some good news: Sportsmanship survives”) brought a smile to my face because I can see very clearly the two situations that you mentioned and I had the opportunity to watch them both.
They were incredible gestures between two men who have fought their entire career to get to that point to win such an important event. Yet they did not overlook the fact that they had that opportunity because of teamwork and sacrifice by both riders, even though only one could win.
Every day we have the choice of the importance that we give to situations. Are we giving the right ones priority? Which ones do we want to pass on and tell our children about? Think about it. I know I have already made my decision.
Thanks to the riders who have given me hope for our sport and mankind. And thank you, Mr. Selden.
Brian Zeuli
Hudson, Wisconsin
Now that’s what we call a champion
Editor:
I’m an avid cyclist and racing fan as well as a father of two lovely little girls (Madeline, 5, and Samantha, 7). We were giving mom some time off on Saturday afternoon and proceeded to check out the Cat’s Hill road race in Los Gatos.
After one of our many trips to the porta-potties, I noticed one of the Webcor pro women warming up in the shade near the course. I thought it would be cool for my little girls to see what is possible for them. As we strolled over to the rider I started to notice the U.S. championship bands on the jersey. Hmmm – is that Christine T., national champion and Olympian?
I had intentions of just watching from a distance and not making too much of a fuss. However, my girls had other intentions and walked up right next to her trainer. It was probably only about 20-30 minutes before her race and Christine could have blown us off and told us to get lost. However, she was great! She fielded a few questions from each one of us. Both the girls and I were in awe! What a nice person and great champion!
Oh yeah – then she went on to crush everyone and win going away.
I just want to say thanks. As any parent knows, those images stick with kids and I’m sure Christine had a very positive effect on my two little (future bike racer) girls.
Thanks, Christine!
Craig Baker
Keep the photo galleries coming
Editor:
Thanks for the photo galleries from the people out here. The shots are all great. I love looking at them all. It’s cool to see so many wonderful photos of so many aspects of cycling. I hope you keep this contest up as a regular feature. For current races, there are probably even people armed with digital cameras and wi-fi who can send photos the same day, giving a different angle on cycling, the scenery, the fans and every other detail of a scene.
Tom Benson
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Of Dawgs and Jaw-juh
Editor:
Thanks to Fred for the coverage of the Athens and Atlanta crits and of “critters.” But, speaking of critters, his piece and accompanying picture refer to the UGA mascot as a Bulldog. Whatever you may see at the university or its website, that particular critter is a “Bulldawg” or “Dawg” for short. (And, by the way, it’s “Jaw-juh”, not “Jo-Ja.”)
Now, you’ll be ready when you come back next year. See you then!
Drew Kelly
Atlanta, Jaw-juh
The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.