I'm going on a Sabbatical

What this blog has meant to me...

1. It was a nice way to show the appreciation to my fellow teammates and competitors.
2. It was a way to have fun.
3. It was a way to keep in touch with old and new buds.

Racing has evolved for me recently, I simply want to just go out and represent well and be there for the team, if I reach the podium that's cool, if not, and I helped the team then that's cool too- it really doesn't matter... for those of you who know me well, it serves much more important purposes which I have come to appreciate in way's I'm just starting to comprehend... and furthermore, at the end of the day- I really, really like the community of racers (and bloggers). To everyone out there racing, officiating, commentating, organizing, or just sociallizing, big thanks from me to you...sincerely.

Schaeffer last year told me after Wolf Creek that "winning the race didn't really mean that much." He was looking at the Nationals (which he took). He wasn't just talking, because I know that he was putting in 400 miles a week, obviously not a way to stay fresh... recently he told me he "just wants the race to go hard" and if it doesn't he will go hard... I couldn't have said it better... to reiterate, I really like the competition and just going all out... if I do well- great, if my teammates do well even better and if I get schooled by some random unknown dude who has been on a racing sabbatical (aka Jeff Rauch) even better... because the way I look at it, that is what it's all about... you don't really race against anyone else, you compete against yourself in this sport, you are really competing with yourself, and wherever the chips lie after the race, its written and stamped... and after the race maybe you have gained some more respect and developed it for another rider.

I really enjoy racing and announcing... it's a hard sport, but a pretty simple one also, if you love it hard, it will love you back- don't, and you will reap the consequences of your lack of preparation... anyway, that is all I have to say within the Nest until the sabbatical is over. Most of all, I am thankful for all of the friendships gained, and I look forward to the next hard race for sure...

Cheers,

Hornet