While warming up this past Sunday at Wafflecross #2, I was reflecting on this bike season. It has been an adventure from start to finish. I went into this year with no real goals for racing except to have fun! And the journey has been one that has taught me much and has spread into so many parts of my life. The biggest lessons learned:

• Look where you want to go. I have found this applies to everything in my life. I started the ski season last year after cross and noticed the ease I was turning and realizing my simple new strategy look where I want to go. It happens all of the time, when I am struggling with something, I change my mindset and start to focus on how I want to feel or what my end goal is and I look where I want to go.

• A team makes a difference. Riding has become my main source of enjoyment and hard work every week. Knowing that friends and team mates are out there cheering me on pushes me each time. As I’m struggling up the next hill and there is a teammate, friend, partner, or crowd member cheering and ringing there blessed cow bell, I push just a little harder up the hill. Watching waffle cross grow to having the largest weekend and days in the treasure valley this past weekend is amazing and it is due to Cory, Brian, Ham, Team Eastside, and Look!. It takes a huge commitment each year to put on the series and this team has done some amazing work. I am continually impressed with the passion in the team to put something together start to finish and increase the cycling community. Another time to remember life lesson number one.

• Breathe. Who would have thought breathing would be important. I’m a loud breather when I am working hard and I am reminded regularly by fellow team mates to breathe into the corners. Another life lesson, transitions are times to breathe, flow through the hard times and come out stronger and smoothly on the other side. Also, see life lesson number one.

• I learn by doing and watching others. There have been so many awesome riders, especially Cory, who have helped learn technique and push me to ride better each week. I love seeing new tasks get easier and easier, and watching everyone around me doing the same thing. It is so inspiring the dedication and passion the cycling community has for their favorite sport.

• My head can make for a good day or a bad day on the bike. That is when it is time for me to remember that this is fun and I get to relive my childhood roaming the foothills and neighborhoods on my bike with great friends.

• Having a supportive, dedicated, and endearing partner is one of the biggest treats of this sport. While, I mostly ride with the girls, I love being able to share in my partners passions and goals, while pushing to keep up with him on an “easy” ride.

Excited for the rest of the cross season!

Beth