This guest post was sent to us from Frank’s sister about her son Willem. When I read the post I was thinking Frank’s sister had written it and that all Stracks have the same dreamy cyclo-centric writing style, damn them all. But, as usual, I was wrong. Frank’s sister did write this:
This was written by my friend Dan, who took Willem with him on the Rough Ride in Washington, VA …
I had the pleasure of meeting Willem and his dad in NYC during the book signing at Rapha. They were in the city for the Five Boroughs of New York City ride the following day. Willem is a fourteen year old bike racer now. At dinner he wolfed down his pasta and loaded up on bread. He was loading the guns (if fourteen year olds are allowed to have guns).
Many of us wished we had discovered bicycle racing earlier in our lives, so I was thrilled to meet a funny, smart, bike obsessed fourteen year old who is, of course, a Velominatus.
Yours in Cycling, Gianni.
—
As I sit and the warmth begins to re-enter my extremities, I reflect on the day’s ride. It was cold, it was wet and it was everything that makes cycling so great. Emotions are fluid when you are on a bike. They move from high to low for a myriad of reasons, or for no reason at all. Rarely do we ever see this fluid within ourselves when on the bike. We are too taken by the excitement or brought down by our bodies failing us when we need them the most. Today I was able to see from the outside the emotional journey of a young rider as he rode through and conquered his first competitive ride.
As Willem mounted his bike and the start was moments off, I saw the butterflies trying to escape from deep in his belly. He was wide-eyed and nervous as the race started. He settled into his saddle and got comfy with the peloton and I asked if the butterflies were gone yet. His grin said ‘yes’ but his words said ‘no.’ Ah, the conflict between his body and mind had begun and Willem was yet to realize it.
Malfunctions of any kind can take even the most seasoned rider out. Willem discovered this as he battled with his Road ID, which refused to stay cinched. Finally calling out in frustration, we stopped and he secured it in his jersey pocket…all he could muster was “We have to make up this time.” I smiled as we rode off.
Elation filled him as we passed a more seasoned cyclist. This was Willem’s race and so it was his pace. We knocked along at a good clip, along some rollers and descents. He was riding high as the rain came down. His face was clear…nothing was going to stop him! Then the climbs hit us. Willem was about to meet the Man with the Hammer. It’s crushing, the first introduction, because it seems to not be when you expect him. Along a cat-4 climb I saw The Man riding side-by-side with Willem, ready to strike and seemingly pulling at his bike back down from where we rode. At the top it was clear; elation was an emotion that Willem would not see again for a long time.
Another cat-4 climb and a turn that was either never there, or missed by his navigator, had this fine young man on a tight rope. Everything in his body said that he had enough, but he trekked on, following unquestioningly the person he trusted to know the way. Again I say “not marked” but when you’re on the side of the road and feel lost, blame is irrelevant.
Soon enough the correct route was discovered and the final emotion of the day, the best emotion of the day, was revealed. Willem experienced it crossing the finish line. All the climbs, all the pain was instantly gone. Nothing but pure pride in knowing he did something that most can’t or refuse to try. I joked with him after the race; years from now the seven extra miles will become a century. I hope that I am around to hear the story first hand. I am humbled to have been allowed to experience this with a true cyclist during his initiation into the world of racing, and the worlds of pain, frustration and satisfaction they can bring.
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Such a great read! As others have already said, chapeau to young Willems determination and writing!
I grew up outside of a small rural farming town where the "real men (kids)" played typical 'Murican sports: football, baseball, basketball and perhaps wrestling. I was on the oft ridiculed football sideshow cross country team. I really knew nothing of cycling except some friends that had/ raced BMX.
I truly wish that I'd been exposed to our sport at Willems age. I know, hindsight being 20/20, that I would have immersed myself in it.
Keep it up, and we'll be seeing you on the famed cobbles and col's in Europe in just a few years!
A couple summers ago I was riding 100k around the lake and crossed paths with three riders. The father and daughter were upright on mountain bikes. In the middle was a skinny kid barely 10 years old on a classic road bike, climbing the hill intently in the drops.
I hope I see that kid again sometime but if not, Merckxspeed young one. It sounds like you've already found the right path.
@Willem Great story and a great ride. Well done.
My youngest, 9 today, is just about to take delivery of his fist road bike (also first with gears). I's like to think he'll get into it as much as you have.
I happen to have 2 Pedalwan as well. As i have found with every other sport they have done (xc skiing, lacrosse, hockey etc) it is best to wade in before arranging the introduction to the Man With the Hammer. They will meet soon enough. Any cycling insights from you guys on how to take the velominis through the 8-10 year through to teens is appreciated.
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Great read and well done Willem! Here's to another 40+ years in the saddle
This is a topic w/which for me is one of those highlights of life. My daughter's been racing the local bike club TT's past couple of years and has raced her first crit this year. We have an upcoming XC race and then an Omnium this summer. I swear the young lady loves cool bikes as much as I do. And she might not know it but I see it, she has twice the competitive drive. She can go deeper in the cave than I can. Plus, we're talking about giving N+1 a whole new meaning when it includes bikes for our kids that want to race! BTW: She's clipped in now. She was pissed when the girls she was racing were clipped in and on full size bikes. We chose some ol' Look Deltas with lowest release tension set to eliminate any strain on the knees when twisting. Bikes and Kids ! Cheers all. RC
@GogglesPizano I can't say I have any idea what I did to help spur my daughter's interest other than just give her the opportunity. And she's run with it from there. But I do want to keep her in good gear that works and fits. I'm guessing too many kiddos get intro'd to the big box store's 35 lb mtn bikes w/steel frames and coil over shock springs that are a size too big, haver finicky shifting and end up not much excited to ride out the driveway. The world would probably be a better place if every kid would have a little single speed BMX bike to ride around their neighborhood. The challenge I'm finding right now is sorting out the right bike for next size up. I'm guessing we'll be looking at a 47" or 48" bike frame plus we'll have to sort out the Jr's gearing for roll out. Though from what I've read in most Jr's races you can simply block the higher gears with the limit screws. I'm more partial to finding the right crank and cog set. Anyways, sorting out the next N+1 is a project to completely over obsess about and part of the fun.
@Willem - good stuff! Best of luck in the future on the many beautiful rides that await.
@Willem buddy I'm glad to be brought along on the ride. You may not realize but you are paying it and then some already! Just keep riding :)
Dan
@frank thanks Frank that is high praise coming from you. I appreciate you posting it for the Velominati to enjoy.
Dan