187: The time I gave Jonathan Page the Heisman

The second year that we had the Grangoue Cross race, Tom wanted to take it UCI. I wasn't really sure what that meant, but it gave the race some extra prestige, and as I saw would draw a couple more riders, and help us maybe loss less money. Tom always was a visionary, I always was the cheerleader. Tom's vision was great, and each year we get closer to fully fulfilling it.

But I digress, as many of you know I answer the email questions for the race. That first UCI race I remember getting and email that looked kind of like this:

" dear promoter, my name is Jonathan Page, I ride for the Richard Sachs team, We will be attending your event this year, I am a member of the national team and have been to Europe a number of times, could you please comp my entry?"

I was kinda new to the game, hadn't and didn't get any other email of this type. My gut was that (a) I have no idea who Jonathan Page is, (b) why would I let anyone race for free who isn't helping put on the event, (c) if you win some cash, will you give us the entry fee then? (d) will you come down Friday and help with course set up?

Like I said I was pretty young an naive about race promotion, and although I had been racing cross for 3-4 years, didn't pay much attention outside of the Mid Atlantic at that time. If your name wasn't Big Willie, Yozell or Fergie, I pretty much didn't know who you were.

I talked to Tom, and we agreed, that what became DCCoD rule number four was our answer. "no one rides for free."

I emailed Jonathan back something like this:

"Dear Johnathan,

while we appreciate your efforts, we are a grassroots organization, and as such expect to take a loss at this event, we respectfully decline your request for a free entry..."

Page would go to Europe later that fall. He did race Granogue that year, but would never come back. Later that fall, and in subsequent years he would be racing in Belgium during our event, and would go on to be a 3x US national champion, and of course the silver medalist at worlds. All because Tom and I wouldn't give him a comped entry. Sorry Jonathan.

Here's a nice bit of irony for you. I am taking off of work today to help go set up the Fairhill course for tomorrow's race. But I got the news late yesterday that I would have to work Saturday morning, as such the chances of me racing Saturday are about 30% right now. If we get our system testing done early, I may be able to boogie to the race, and get kitted up and just make the start. Holy Red Bull Warm up here I come...

The real bummer for me is this: For the first time ever, I won't be there when Monkey races. In all the years, and all the races, I've never not been there for her. I know the DccoD, and our C3-Sollay.com teammates will look after her, E-town will keep a special eye on her. I know lots of people will cheer for her and say things like, "don't be satisfied!" or "slam your hand in a car door" and the every popular, "go monkey!" But I'll be honest, I'm really bummed I'm gonna miss that. Really bummed I won't be there. That's all I have to say about that.

I think I get more stressed for her race than my own sometimes... I know she'll kick ass.

respect.

faticus

ps: pictures were stolen from cyclingcaptured.com and todd leisiter's site. (thank you) no pictures were harmed in the creation of this blog. (Hollywood writers beware)