Andrew Talansky: A new year brings new opportunity

The New Year means so many different things to people. Despite the actual date being nearly three weeks behind us, I have always found the month of January as a whole really serves to set the tone for what the year might be like. For some, it is the chance to continue the success of the past twelve months. For others, it is a chance at a blank slate, an opportunity to start anew, to forget the struggles of a year gone by. New Year’s resolutions are made and, often times, just as quickly forgotten, as the holidays become a distant memory. People seem to forget their goals when “normal” life begins again and it is time to put their nose back to the grindstone. Making goals is easy, it’s having the courage and dedication to follow through and achieve them that is hard.

Every year, as I get back on the bike after a month or so of spending time with friends and family, I fall in love with my bike all over again. You see, some people describe the off-season as a time to live “normally.” For me, it is change from the norm and, while I appreciate that time of year and would not ever give it up, I simply love riding my bike. For me, there is no time that things feel more right than when I am out on the open road with nothing but the sound of a whirring chain and my thoughts to keep me company.

A side effect of all that time spent alone is plenty of time for reflection, in this case reflecting on my 2011 season as a whole. Here is what I came up with: Last year, I made mistakes. Of course, there was success as well and to many outsiders it looked as if things were a dream for me. I was on one of the best teams in the world, I had signed a three-year contract, everything was falling into place. All this and more were true. However, I was (and still am) young. I was new to this level of the sport and with that comes inevitable growing pains. I had done things on my own for so long that I didn’t completely know how to be part of a team, didn’t fully understand what it meant. Now, a year later, a year wiser, and thanks to the help and mentoring of the older more experienced riders, I can say that I do.

I have learned from my struggles, grown stronger from them, honestly much more than I would have learned from any success I may have had during the season. This year I have numerous goals but the only one that I am going to share with all of you (for now at least) is: Get the most out of myself at every race by never letting an opportunity pass by without fighting for all I am worth.

Sounds simple, right? In theory, it is. However, just like those New Year’s resolutions that fade away, it is easy to lose track of yourself sometimes. As the racing season wears on and fatigue sets in, or on a rainy and freezing day at Paris Nice when you can barely think straight, it is easy to forget the mantra that I have promised to hold myself too. This year, I will not forget. I am going to remember it every day of the season. Whether the goal is to succeed on a personal level or turn myself inside out helping a teammate cross the line first, I will not let anything stand in my way.

Famed American distance runner Steve Prefontaine once said, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” He did not mean this in any religious sense (he was famously not religious) in fact he once said the only thing he believed in was himself. However, he was right. “Pre,” as he was called by the adoring masses, knew that every race was an opportunity to create something special, to inspire people and help them discover their own gift, help them find the courage to pursue it, whatever it might be. This year, I will do all I can in my own way to inspire and encourage people to pursue their dreams. A long time ago, I realized that no one is going to come and knock on your door, offering you what you want on a silver platter. It is up to you to go out into the world make your dreams come true.

So with the new year ahead of us, and the season fast approaching, I hope that every one of you finds the time to get out on the bike, and to pursue your goals not just in cycling, but in life as a whole. Whether that means being the best father you can, getting the promotion you wanted, or winning your local cat 5 race, it really doesn’t matter. The goals are yours and yours alone, and that is what makes them so special.

I’ll be sharing my goals and experiences with all of you throughout the season, so I hope you enjoy and follow along.

— Andrew

FILED UNDER: Rider Diaries TAGS: Andrew Talansky