There are several people who had an impact on this season and my successes in it, both in losing weight and in cycling results.
Shelli
Shelli's idea of support goes well beyond just saying congratulations when I do well.
She's done everything she could to help me to eat and train right, almost from the day we met. She cooked meals that were low-calorie, healthy, and enjoyable. She tolerated my weird sleeping and training schedule without complaint.
In many cases, she was the voice of reason and objectivity. She went with me looking for equipment and offered opinions, often reminding me of things I had previously said I did or did not want. She helped me plan tactics for races and reminded me of things that did or didn't work out on previous races.
She came to every race, helping me get the trainer set up, put on my race number, and take pictures (even after her knee surgery). She had a towel and a cold bottle for me at the end of each event.
And of course, whether everything went according to plan or everything fell apart, she was still positive and supportive of me.
I could not have pulled this season off without her.
The Competition
At almost every race this year, I kept running into the same people: Rich Carolan, Anthony Sambrato, Nick Tsapatsaris, Rob Rakowitz. They inspired me to be better and I know that if I want to win next year, I'm going to have to fight them for the podium spots.
I also need to credit to race organizers, especially of the NJ Time Trial Cup events. They put on a great series, which have me something to aim for.
There are also the guys who were not in the same category I was (or upgraded out of it), but still offered an example of how to excel: Brett Kielick, Lee Sobotkin, and Pat Walter all showed me how it's done at the next level.
Lastly, my friends on Strava. I've never even met some of them in
person, but our battles over segments have pushed me to be faster and
faster. Mark Detweiler, Eric Schumacher, Mark Hineman, and Jon Gaarder
all made me push a little harder than I could before.
Bentley Systems
My great employer who has showers in the office where so a bunch of us can ride at lunch and go out for rides afterwards.
Of course, there's also the group I ride with. Marcus who taught me how to pick a brutal climbing course. Tony who sprints past me every time I want to slow down and rest. Dave and Phil who are always there, who pounce at every opportunity. Allen, who thinks a 54-12 is an appropriate climbing gear. These guys push me every ride and make it fun.
Sponsor
I've been riding for Breakaway Bikes / Quaker City Wheelmen (with all the various names we've had), since 2005. It's been a great shop and a great team since day one.
The shop has taken care of me with great service, great equipment, and great training rides, both outdoors in the summer and indoors at the shop during the winter. Joe Wentzell and his staff have always been at the top of their game.
The team, well, what can I say? It's a great band of cyclists with tons of accumulated knowledge. One of them even officiated at our wedding :-)
Advisers
While I've worked with several bike fitters over the years, Isaac Denham has been
the first one who got me truly comfortable on the time trail bike. He shifted
my position just two days before my first race of the year... and it worked so well that I
kept it all year.
John Dalzell has been a great source of wisdom and advice. I couldn't even tell you how long we've known each other now, but his guidance (and occasional willingness to say, "I told you so") on equipment, training, and other topics has helped me immensely.
Lastly, my Facebook friends for listening/reading me blather on endlessly about cycling and training.
I'm sure I am forgetting someone who has helped me out in some way this year and for that I apologize. I am well aware that I could never have reached this level of success alone and I'm looking forward to next year!
