A Huge and Long Overdue Thank You....

....to my Junior coach, Dave Welch here in Chico. Dave coached me, Brad Curd and a number of other Chico Velo Cycling Club bicycle racers during the early 1980s. He was one of those guys who, although he trained and raced, seem to care more about others than himself(probably why he also became a damn good nurse too!). Dave came from a coaching background too - he was the coach of Junior and Senior cycling sensation, Larry Shields. Larry was one of those nationally ranked Cat. 1 riders back in the day - awesome at everything, no weaknesses.

Dave though - he taught us most everything about riding. He worked with us tirelessly. Instead of going out and trying to improve just his own riding - which many riders did - he stayed with us, talked with us during rides, coached us along. He would de-brief us after races, telling us what we did right and wrong....and who the other riders were: "That guy that beat you in the sprint....the guy with the Schwinn jersey on. Well, don't feel so bad about getting beat - he's the National Champion on the track." Yikes.

So, this one goes out to Dave - Thank You! You taught me most everything about cycling - but the one thing I hope I carry with me for the rest of my life is not to be so self-centered about it all that I can't help somebody....anybody....out. Thank you Dave!