Since this is a documentary, what actually transpires will unfold before the audience eyes... with that said, the journey begins...
Every September In the Pacific Northwest the training season begins with every major northwest amateur racing club hosting “meet the team” rides. On these rides racers of varying competitive experience offer their partnership to recreational cyclists in their efforts to become racers. While this seems like the likely scenario, some future racers prefer to take the challenge on their own. They train individually and race individually. This is where the story begins.
The Training Season
Here a selection of racers who have chosen to take the challenge are featured in their journey from riding for fun to competitive cyclist. This is where, pardon the pun, the rubber begins to meet the road. We will see our subjects make changes in lifestyle, their commitment to riding all year long, and the initial pressures put on personal and professional lives. Often the costs of training on personal lives is the breaking point for many who want to race. The dream of racing simply cannot happen for reasons beyond the bike. For some it’s not a big deal, for others it can be the loss of a lifelong dream.
Also you will see mentoring from racers who have been “living the lifestyle” for many years. People who tirelessly offer their knowledge to anyone who shows the dedication and desire. The training season is where you see people who could barely ride a bike become organized and competent bike handlers, flat fixers, and fender lovin’ bike geeks.
In addition, the training plans, coaches and self-coached racers will play a role. They will be the examples of success on and beyond the bike.
The First Race
This could also be called, the journey to Mason Lake!
This is when all of the miles of organized rides get blown-up. The two-by-two training routes are exchanged for masses of overlapping wheels, quick-braking, and lines not held. This is where close to 200 Category 4/5’s descend to don their new team uniforms and test their training. In these races you’ll see our newbies take on the guys who should be racing Category 3, the triathletes who are stronger than most other riders with little to no pack riding skills, plus those couple riders with real Category 1 potential.
The Classics
The early Spring La Doyenne, a.k.a. the Snohomish Road Race no longer lives on the racing schedule. In it’s place are brand new courses. New routes barely tested in competitive racing. These races are designed to be more like European one-day racing with courses being tighter & more twisty with all kinds of road surfaces. Our subjects may have as many as four races under their belt, but that chapter ends here.
The First Criterium
This American style racing is no Mason Lake! Our racers ride courses that have 10 times the turns with 10 times the challenges with the close knit pack. Criterium usually are about a kilometer in distance, often with off-camber turns, cracked concrete, narrowing & widening lanes, and some with short power hills... then if it rains, oh boy. Every skill learned in the training season will be tested in this fast & technical first crit of the season.
Stage Racing Season
Everybody knows about the Tour De France, and these mini-versions are grueling. These short stage races really test the prior months of training as our racers compete in three events in two days. Also our racers competition gets bigger as they first venture into regional racing. They will face teams from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and usually Vancouver, BC. Not too mention this is usually the first Time Trial for most new racers. At some stage races, the Category 5's race in their own category, or maybe they'll be competing with the Category 4's.
The Ballard Twilight Criterium
The unofficial regional criterium championships. Ballard always brings tough competition. Generally one of the fastest, if not the fastest, races on the calendar. The course is technical, tactical, and unforgiving to the slightest mistake. This is when the racing community comes to show their stuff, no matter what category.
The 2007 Season
Other races throughout the racing season will be touched upon as well. Highlighting how the season goes as a whole. It’s here that we will see who’s quit, who’s upgraded and who’s addicted.