Why We Need A Beech Mountain
Beech Mountain near Boone, North Carolina was made famous in Lance Armstrong’s book It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life. His bicycle ride up that mountain was the culmination of his recovery from cancer and the re-launch of his cycling career. He flipped a switch on that mountain and faced down some demons that were holding him back. We all the know the story that unfolds afterward.
I think we all have, or need, a Beech Mountain.
Whether it’s life, weight loss plans, or cycling goals each of us has either had, are experiencing, or will experience a Beech Mountain.
Why We Need A Beech Mountain
A Beech Mountain is nothing more than symbolism for an event in our lives in which our actions will define us. Perhaps it was an ascent or group ride that we struggled with. The loss of a relative or close friend due to illness. Or the loss of a job.
How we react to those situations will shape our lives.
We need a Beech Mountain because it rips off the scabs in our life and exposes the bleeding sores that reside at our core. It can put our faults on center stage and test our morals, ethics, and values. It shows us what we’re capable of and what we’re willing to do in order to achieve what’s right in our lives whether it’s family, career, or health. A Beech Mountain reveals the man or woman we truly are.
Cycling Is My Answer
I can remember three distinct Beech Mountains in my life. The loss of a 16-year military career in 2006, the loss of my job in October 2008, followed by the loss of my dad in November 2008. For the most part I think I’ve reacted to those situations well but know I have a long, long way to go in one particular area in order to summit my Beech Mountains.
I’ve ridden a bicycle ever since I was a little kid. I took many years to off due to the military but returned to it again in 2008 because I needed help. It was going to be my tool to overcome significant health issues I have. It works but there are days when I feel like I need a reminder of why I’m cycling. A workout or ride that will re-awaken the drive and determination to ride hard, watch what I eat, and train. Train like there’s no tomorrow. To follow through with plans that have only made it as far as a thought but need to come to fruition in order to achieve success.
I need a ride. A reminder. I think we all do from time to time.
Are You On Beech Mountain?
I invite you to share your thoughts or experiences below. What was it that got you over the summit or reminded you why you’re doing it?
Read MoreFeature image courtesy of Frenchy.
What Do You Think About The Prototype Team RadioShack Jersey?
All the buzz lately, at least with the folks I follow on Twitter, has been Team RadioShack’s first team camp in Tucson this week and then yesterday they release pics of an early version of their new jerseys. I’ve been waiting to see what they look like and am glad to finally see it.
Team Radioshack Prototype Jersey
If you’re signed up to the Team RadioShack email list you would have gotten this yesterday (I took the liberty of bolding some key points):
If you are receiving this email, you’ve either followed the team from the glory days of the Blue Train or are a new and excited fan for what will be the next great American cycling team: Team RadioShack. Either way, we wanted to say thank you for your support and give you a sneak preview of a working prototype of the jersey the guys will be riding in in 2010. While the final Jersey is expected to look very similar, it will be officially unveiled in Australia in January during the Tour Down Under. It was our goal this year to create something visually distinctive and a look that was symbolic of what we feel Team RadioShack is all about: cutting edge technology, speed, strength, determination and a global message to LIVESTRONG. The experts at Nike and our partners at RadioShack helped to create this fast form-fitting design using various textures and patterns symbolizing the themes of new technology, global connectivity and community. We think it looks pretty damn cool.
Some early Twitter feedback I saw was that some folks don’t like it. @ultrarob says:
“Think new Team RadioShack jerseys look old and out dated just like Radio Shack…”
I’ve even seen some responses calling it “F-U-G-L-Y” and others saying that Team RadioShack needs to hire a graphic designer.
I’m no graphic designer (and definitely not a pro cycling fashionista like everyone else seems to be) but I kinda like it. It looks subtle and the logos seem to fit the design pretty good. If I wanted to see anything extra it might be some blue to round out the red, white, and blue.
For all the haters, I think they missed a couple of key points in the release above. They are:
- It’s a working prototype.
- The final jersey will be officially unveiled in January at the Tour Down Under.
Could the final version look similar? They say it will but for everyone to get bent out of shape over an early prototype is a little extreme.
I think it looks pretty damn cool too.
Read MoreSecret Jersey Graphic Discovered
While scouring the Internet I came across what appears to be an early design graphic for, perhaps, Team Radio Shack. I’m not sure what it will be used for but I could see it on tshirts or maybe even a training jersey.
El Pistolero Wanted
Juan Pelota VS El Pistolero: A fistful of words
Sounds like some kind of old school western showdown doesn’t it? With the 2009 Tour de France now over the war of words between Lance Armstrong (Juan Pelota) and Alberto Contador (El Pistolero) has already heated up.
Juan Pelota
I love it. Personally, I’m not a fan of Contador. I think he’s got a lot to learn before he comes a great cycling champion (I really just don’t like his grin). The sport of cycling needs a good rivalry like this and, even though Contador is nearly 12 years younger than Armstrong, next year is already shaping up to be a great year of cycling.
El Pistolero
I’m glad too because somebody needs to wipe that cheesy grin off Contador’s face.
What do you think? Is this rivalry good for cycling? Am I too hard on AC? Am I a LA fan boy?
Read MoreWhy I’ll be a Team Radio Shack Fan
If you’re a cycling fan, and not living under a rock, you’ve probably heard by now that Lance Armstrong’s new cycling team will be Team Radio Shack (@teamradioshack). I for one was very surprised to hear that it was someone other than Oracle or Nike. Now that we know it’s Radio Shack I can honestly say I’m a fan but probably not for the reason you expect.
Sure, Lance is going to be on the team and that’s a great reason to be a fan. Radio Shack will partner with the LAF and LiveStrong in the fight against cancer which is another great reason to be a fan. The real reason I’ll be a fan though is because of my Dad.
My Dad was an electronics genius. He learned the trade at an early age and held several jobs that saw him develop his skills including installing electrical systems on airplanes and performing electronics work on Minuteman Missiles. When I was a kid he had his own business installing satellite tv systems. As a hobby he was a Citizens Band (CB) and Ham Radio expert. He rarely bought new radios but choose instead to either build his own or repair broken ones he would find at flea markets or garage sales.
So, what does my Dad and Team Radio Shack have in common? My Dad was a loyal Radio Shack customer. If he needed parts or tools for a radio or CB he would go to our local Radio Shack store. When Radio Shack would receive returned electronics that were broken, and not covered by warranty, who did they call? My Dad.
Image Courtesy of TeamRadioShack.com
One of the big things going on right now is speculation on who will be on the team. We know Lance will be there but who will be his support cast? I’ve already heard rumors of Cadel Evans on Twitter. Who would you like to see on Team Radio Shack? I bet we see Chris Horner on there. Read More
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