Racing with the Big Fish, but in Burlington for much more.

The photo is of me in the purple of CycleX in the first or maybe second lap of a crit in Burlington IA the day before Snake Alley, May 23rd, 2025.

This race wasn't even something that I'd really planned on doing when it rolled around. I know I'm not ready for racing against some of the best masters in the Midwest. But here I was, on a bluebird Iowa day on a beautiful rectangular course that overlooked a pristine Missouri river.

What I mostly came up to Burlington for was to see an old dear friend who had been gravely hurt in an accident in the fall, and who I hope I helped somehow, a little bit, during a touch and go time in the ICU in the fall at the University Hospital. We go way back: to Kirksville, and epic rides and hijinks in Iowa City and Cedar Falls. I was best man at his wedding.  He is this fighter, a Hemingwayesque character of fortitude and strength and will to live.

He has seen me in all my phases: the Alaska guy, the skinny bike racer, the family man. 

He is doing remarkably well now and after Friday's race, which was a non event for me and one of the most crushing races I've ever been in, we went mountain biking the next day. Read this: after almost dying 6 months ago he was showing me a gnarly MTN bike trail in Burlington.His comeback has been remarkable. The power of fitness and a strong faith kept him going.

I'm proud to call him a friend. 

Although I finished dead last in my race, against men who beat me solidly 30 years ago in every race i entered against them, what I came from this weekend with was how resilience, perseverance and a faith in something far greater than yourself is where the actual winning happens for us humans.