1984........

.....Junior race at the Nevada City Classic. I was one of the youngest riders in the Juniors race - most were in their last year of racing Juniors - I was in my first year in Juniors, just coming out of racing the Intermediate Category(13 to 15 year olds) the year before. I had seen the Nevada City Classic every year since 1981 at that point, and it had always been a dream to race it. I truly could not believe how big of a race this one was - it was HUGE!!!! All the pro riders there, the pain, the suffering.....the will to win, and what it took to get there. And the massive crowds - thousands and thousands lined the course.

I show up to the start line and see national caliber Junior riders all around me - including future pros Dave Farmer and Oliver Starr from the Columbine Team out of Colorado. All the other top Junior teams were represented as well. During the warm-up, I had the opportunity to ride with Rebecca Twigg , who was riding for the 7-Eleven team at the time. I watched her climb, saw her relaxed riding style.....and I tried to emulate her as best I could. But, I wasn't focused.

In short, I became star-struck at the start line. The pace started off fast and furious - those Juniors wait for nothing - as soon as the whistle blows, they're gone. I actually felt great on the first climb - hanging up towards the front. But as the race wore on, and the speed picked up, I was finally shelled. And although I was extremely disappointed by the result, I was also very happy to have finally raced in my dream race - the NC Classic. A memory I will probably have for the rest of my life.

And so now, here we are years later........and my goal again? To someday race in that great race.....just one more time.......hey, I have some unfinished business there!!