[fabsroman]

Skeeter,

Thanks for understanding. I keep trying to tell these fellow racers of mine to ride with common sense, but they just don't want to listen. When I race the Cat 4 races, I race with a lot of 24+ year old kids and they just feel like they have to be the next Lance Armstrong. I feel like telling them that if they aren't a pro tour rider by 24, they never will be, but I refrain from doing so. Anyway, they take insane risks to win $50 for first place. It is utterly nuts considering the bikes we ride cost thousands of dollars and a wreck will cost way more than the $50 for first place between the damage to the bike and the cost of medical supplies. My entire goal for last year was not crashing. I accomplished that, barely, and even eeked out a 2nd and several 3rds, and 4ths.

Now, when I race the Masters 30+ category, everybody seems to be more sensible. I don't know if it is because they have ridden a bike longer, raced longer, are more mature, etc.

If there ever was a crash and it looked like somebody was bleeding out and not able to take care of themselves, you can bet that I would stop and help. Finishing the race and possibly winning $50 for first place just isn't worth somebody losing their life.

By the way, I lost 15 pounds after I started riding the bike pretty hard. Went from 158 to 142 and I feel a lot better.