About

Not too long ago, I got it into my head that I'd like to start racing.

I've been a cyclist for years, always with a decidedly un-racer-like attitude and approach. Sure, I follow and enjoy professional cycling, but for me, bike racing has always been something to watch, not to do.

I've accomplished most of what I've set out to do on a bicycle. Not that I set out to do anything amazing, but I've turned the bicycle into my primary form of transportation, I've commuted through the harsh Michigan winter, I've completed several centuries, each one easier than the last, and I've grown stronger, faster, healthier, and happier.

So what's next? Like any addict, enough is never enough, so in the process of trying to improve my century time, I realized I had begun to train sort of like a racer. So why not race?

But it's more than just "why not." I actually want to race.

And so I've decided that, since I know absolutely nothing about racing - until two weeks ago I still wasn't sure of the difference between Cat 1 and Cat 5 - I'll document my journey into the world of competitive cycling, during which I plan to try road, cyclocross, track, and mountain bike racing. At the very least, my foolishness and failure will give you someone to laugh at, but maybe, in a few years time, I'll be able to look back and laugh at myself. Whether I'll be laughing as an actively competitive cyclist or not remains to be seen.

I'd also like to hear from you, I'd love to hear about your introduction to racing, whether it was last month or thirty years ago, or even if it is still in the future. Please feel free to get in touch if you've got anything you'd like to share.

VeloLoser was born in 1972, and currently lives in East Lansing, Michigan with his wife, two children, one dog, one guinea pig, and several fish. He works full time as a web application developer at Michigan State University, and enjoys making strange music in his spare time.

Your comments are encouraged.