End of the Season....Almost

Greenville, South Carolina.  It's a trip that traditionally marks the end of the cycling season for Frazier Cycling.  There is a very heavy concentration of cyclists there - who would have ever guessed- led by none other than George Hincapie.  For those of you not in the cycling know, he is one of the most famous of American cyclists and one who was with Lance for each of his victories in the Tour de France.  It takes riders like George for riders like Lance to succeed.  And, George has had his won share of success on the European circuit.  He and his family have also started a clothing line there in South Carolina and they host a series of races, which brings us back to this blog.  (I do eventually wind my way back.  Dr. Dulek would be mortified at my lack of bottom-line writing and my circuitous routes, but this isn't business writing, after all.)

The Greenville Cycling Classic is the last of that series.  It occurs right in the middle of downtown Greenville at the same time as a city festival.  Saturday's races include some of the biggest prize money I've seen so people turn out in droves.  It is such a lovely setting - and such a tough race.  

One thing that was really hit home today is that the boys that are older are just faster than James and the ones that are his age are a lot slower so he just has no one to work with.  It's really difficult to ride by yourself in a race, which is exactly what he had to do today.

I think he's really looking forward to the day he gets a little more muscle mass and can keep up with the older guys better.  Alas, all was not lost.  His two teammates did very well.  One broke away with about 4 laps to go and almost lapped the field.  He is just so fast.  All in all, James and I had a good trip and enjoyed our time just hanging out together.

Keith and Christopher stayed home and had their own ride together, which unfortunately included a little crash.  Christopher seems to be ok, but underneath it all a little frustrated that he can't race.  Maybe that's a good thing.  Maybe by the time he's old enough he'll really want to.

As for mom and dad, we're glad Coach Kelli said she would drive James to Ringgold next Saturday morning for the state time trial championship.  You see, we got this e-mail a couple of weeks ago....they didn't know that Greenville was supposed to be the end of the season, I guess.  Of course, James just thinks he HAS to be there even though it's two hours away and we have to be there by 8 am on SATURDAY!  It is a race, after all, and that's what competitors do.  They race.  God bless you, Coach Kelli.