...but they all got put on hold because of life stuff. I've now skipped the state time trial, two six hour races, the entirety of the Hell-X series, Hotter N' Hell, and I'm missing one of my favorite races on the Texas calendar as I type this. Wow - I didn't realize how many races I've skipped until I listed it. Now, I just feel like a lazy bastard.
My roommate up-and-moved to Alaska, so I had to find a new place to live. My friend that came to visit around the time of the Abilene race, Elizabeth, decided to move to Austin, and we decided to get a place together. This is great, but it turns out there's a lot of logistics involved in find and renting an apartment for two people when one of them lives somewhere else. I also decided to leave my job with Orange Seal, which at the moment seems to have been poorly executed on my part (only because I've transitioned to being way underemployed, but that could change at anytime).
So, no money and no time means no racing. It's lame; I know. At least, I haven't been training at all, so I'm sure everything will work out fine (Have I mentioned that I'm a master of sarcasm? I am).
Great stuff about new apartments and new special friends to share them with...
1. She bakes me cookies.
2. I get to practice make giant omelettes for two.
3. We found the most awesome sofa ever - I mean, that thing's good.
Believe it or not, there's actually a point to this post.
A few weeks ago, my mind got to wondering, as it tends to do, and I decided to email the fine people at USA Cycling to ask if I was understanding the rules for upgrading to Pro from Cat 1 correctly.
Hi,
I'm curious if, per USA Cycling rules, I'm eligible for a pro upgrade in XC based on my results from this season.
Thanks,
Adam
The answer that I received was:
Adam,
When you're ready to submit your upg request please use your “my USA Cycling” account.
Thanks
George
Which is to say that the answer I received was not an answer as much as it was a statement that the good people at USA Cycling do not have time to pay attention to what is being asked of them, and if they did, they would only assume that I haven't already read, in detail, the rules for upgrades (which I have) - not realizing that perhaps I'm not ready to upgrade, but I'm simply weighing my options and trying to decide when it might best suit me to submit for an upgrade, if I were to do it at all after I manage to wrap up this run-on sentence.
I mean, seriously. "...use your 'my USA Cycling' account?" Where does he think I got his email address?
I should say that I understand they probably get a lot of stupid questions, and perhaps, many of those question deserve stupid answers (after all, what are we paying them for?). But, I was looking for clarification for questions to which I'd found vague answers... but, whatever.
Weeks go by, and I'm still wondering about my unanswered question. Then a few days ago, I was having a hard time sitting still, as often happens, and I submitted for my Pro upgrade. I was 85% certain that it wouldn't go through. I suspected that I had to race more Pro/Cat 1 races, and my Cat 1 results weren't enough. Hopefully though, when it would be declined, I would have a more detailed answer to my question.
Then this happened.
The important part is the last line, and then the third line, in that order. I'll just let that sink in for a second.
...
I know, right? I've had a few close friends ask me what that means now. Each time, I've answer with "Well, I have to train more and race faster guys," which is my way of avoiding having to say "I have no idea; I didn't really think this through."
It would be cool if I could line up a couple of product sponsors and brainstorm a way to fund a kit order and registration and travel fees for a handful of races next season. There's just so many concerns that I'm not sure where to start. And, I've got a couple friends trying to get me to take up gravel racing (I do not own a gravel bike), which is an entire other thing that I'm totally interested in otherwise I could just ignore my friends.
Don't get me wrong. It's exciting, and I'm excited. I just don't know a ton of people to ask what my next steps should be.
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