This past summer for the fourth year in a row I found myself in Izegem, Belgium with a group of American juniors as a part of a joint project organized by myself and Sean and Rachel Wilson from Team California Juniors. The purpose of these trips is to provide opportunities for American juniors to experience racing abroad and to provide life lessons that they can use in the future whether that future continues to involve bike racing or not. As with previous years I asked one of the guys to do a write of his experience. A big thank you to Solomon “Bear” Lopez for making the time (and apologies for taking so long to post it). Enjoy.
The Belgian u19 race school was unlike any racing block that I have ever experienced, both in the intensity of the racing and in the daily regimen that made up the 3 weeks we were here. The excitement to race in an environment such as the keremesse scene made me (at first) overlook the second, just as important, aspect which is the day-to-day life staying with the squad. From managing daily meals, cleanup, grocery trips, and general cleanliness of the apartment, we had to learn both to take responsibility for having our own stuff in order, as well as keeping each other accountable in a constructive way. We learned how to navigate a foreign grocery store and figure out meals that were both cost effective and also enough fuel for 7-8 riders. We also discovered that without a system and clear communication on who is responsible for dishes, a kitchen for 8 riders deteriorates very fast. I discovered very quickly that Belgian stores will close randomly and at various times, and so it was important to never assume something would be able to be accomplished later. This and more made up the off-the-bike life, which is a crucial, yet often overlooked part in a rider’s development.
The Kermesse themselves presented a large change and challenge compared to what I had been accustomed to in American bike racing. In Belgium we were 3 races a week (some back-to-back) on junior gearing and cornering at much slower speeds with 125 racers on narrow roads with constant acceleration making this some of the hardest bike racing I’ve ever done in my life. In each kermesse strength was a necessity only rivaled by efficiency and pack awareness. You can never just look at the wheel in front of you, as doing so will often lead to being dropped or draped over road furniture. I had to figure out how to keep my brain on in order to stay on top of nutrition, splits, and attacks. The battle for position is a constant and necessary fight in order to stay ahead of splits and crashes as well as to limit the amount of power necessary jumping out of every corner. Doing that well then means I could have the opportunity to work with the team at the front, following and marking moves.
Mindset was really one of the most important things to be learned on this trip both on and off the bike. Life will get chaotic at times, and stuff will happen that is out of my control, but that is why it was important to have everything that I could control in order. There are very few situations that being unorganized cannot worsen. When living in close quarters and racing so often with the squad, it was important to be honest and constructive about where to draw the line, both when dealing with myself and with others.
Overall, I have to say that this camp was the most helpful and insightful glimpse into what the career I want to pursue really looks like, as well as a check to show what I need to improve and work on.
