Jordan,
First off, thanks for doing this. I've never seen a pro triathlete be so engaged with AG'ers. I know at some point, you were once an AG'er yourself, so it's neat to see you giving back.
There are a lot of great stories posted here, hopefully, mine will make sense to you.
In one of your previous responses, you mentioned how crucial fit is to a bike. I couldn't agree more. I've had to learn this the hard way.
I got into triathlon at the tender age of 29, as a smoker, heavy drinker, and weighing close to 300 lbs. Knowing absolutely nothing about bike fit, I purchased what bike I could find that was within my price range. Little did I know that the bike I bought was a size too small! During my first year of racing, I somehow managed to not let the science of triathlon get in the way of training and racing... I was having so much fun with it, I didn't care how bad my lower back hurt from being in the aero position for hours on training rides, or how my legs would cramp terribly from being scrunched up on a bike that was too small.
Three years later, I'm down 75 lbs, am smoke free, and am close to finishing my Ph.d.- a feat that is in some ways just as taxing as endurance sports. My current bike, although it has served me well, is no longer doing the trick for me. I have severe leg cramping issues based on the screwed up geometry of my fit and am pretty frustrated by it (just ask my coach!) I have, like you after your accident, have just tried to smile through it, be thankful for what I do have vs. what I do not, and to keep on doing what I love to do by being an ambassador for the sport and lifestyle that we both love so much. I strive to be more competitive, just like anyone, but feel that one area I could benefit from would be a new bike that complements my heart for this sport and the people that participate in it, both professional and amateur.
As of May 1st, I will be unemployed, as my graduate assistantship runs out. I am set to do the final defense for my dissertation during the week of May 21-25 and couldn't think of a better gift than that of a new bike. Being a full time graduate student hasn't been easy, especially since triathlon requires at least some sort of monetary investment. But again I've just smiled through it and have thanked God for the blessings He has bestowed on me.
I'd like to make an offer of $500.00 for your frame. I realize this is a pretty small amount, but for me as a grad student, it's a ton. I also understand this could seem like a low offer especially based on the sentimental value you surely have attached to your bike. I won't hang it on a wall, try to flip it for a profit, or auction it off for charity. Surely, you could have done all of these things yourself, but you chose not to, which to me, speaks volumes of your character. This bike will be ridden hard, just like it was intended to be, and just like you've done with it before.
Again, I'd like to commend you for what you're doing. I think it's great that you are reinvesting in the sport.
Thanks for reading Jordan, best of luck to you.
Dave
ps: If you'd like to come to my dissertation defense, I'll keep a seat open for you ;)
First off, thanks for doing this. I've never seen a pro triathlete be so engaged with AG'ers. I know at some point, you were once an AG'er yourself, so it's neat to see you giving back.
There are a lot of great stories posted here, hopefully, mine will make sense to you.
In one of your previous responses, you mentioned how crucial fit is to a bike. I couldn't agree more. I've had to learn this the hard way.
I got into triathlon at the tender age of 29, as a smoker, heavy drinker, and weighing close to 300 lbs. Knowing absolutely nothing about bike fit, I purchased what bike I could find that was within my price range. Little did I know that the bike I bought was a size too small! During my first year of racing, I somehow managed to not let the science of triathlon get in the way of training and racing... I was having so much fun with it, I didn't care how bad my lower back hurt from being in the aero position for hours on training rides, or how my legs would cramp terribly from being scrunched up on a bike that was too small.
Three years later, I'm down 75 lbs, am smoke free, and am close to finishing my Ph.d.- a feat that is in some ways just as taxing as endurance sports. My current bike, although it has served me well, is no longer doing the trick for me. I have severe leg cramping issues based on the screwed up geometry of my fit and am pretty frustrated by it (just ask my coach!) I have, like you after your accident, have just tried to smile through it, be thankful for what I do have vs. what I do not, and to keep on doing what I love to do by being an ambassador for the sport and lifestyle that we both love so much. I strive to be more competitive, just like anyone, but feel that one area I could benefit from would be a new bike that complements my heart for this sport and the people that participate in it, both professional and amateur.
As of May 1st, I will be unemployed, as my graduate assistantship runs out. I am set to do the final defense for my dissertation during the week of May 21-25 and couldn't think of a better gift than that of a new bike. Being a full time graduate student hasn't been easy, especially since triathlon requires at least some sort of monetary investment. But again I've just smiled through it and have thanked God for the blessings He has bestowed on me.
I'd like to make an offer of $500.00 for your frame. I realize this is a pretty small amount, but for me as a grad student, it's a ton. I also understand this could seem like a low offer especially based on the sentimental value you surely have attached to your bike. I won't hang it on a wall, try to flip it for a profit, or auction it off for charity. Surely, you could have done all of these things yourself, but you chose not to, which to me, speaks volumes of your character. This bike will be ridden hard, just like it was intended to be, and just like you've done with it before.
Again, I'd like to commend you for what you're doing. I think it's great that you are reinvesting in the sport.
Thanks for reading Jordan, best of luck to you.
Dave
ps: If you'd like to come to my dissertation defense, I'll keep a seat open for you ;)