08 Dec 2010
Well, it’s been a couple of days since I returned from the US Olympic Training Center and the USA Cycling Bill Woodul Race Mechanics Clinic in Colorado Springs. During this time I’ve just given myself time to digest what I experienced and have let it soak into my consciousness. This is what I have concluded.
What I didn’t experience was training in specific methods of bicycle mechanics and maintenance.
What I did experience was so much more valuable. The clinic’s core theme was consistently hammered home by each instructor in each and every class as an intimate, uncensored focus on the subtleties and complexities of human interaction in stressful situations, the critical value of team work, professionalism, self-initiative, cooperation, adaptability, resourcefulness under duress, resource management, organization, personal accountability, and the importance of clear, timely communication.
Interactions with Race Clinic instructors was in the true sense of the word a mentoring enterprise. No question was taboo, answers were candid, and shared experience was the benchmark of conversation.
The talent pool of the 2010 Graduating Class was as varied in background as anyone could imagine. There was an ER doctor, an EMT, several engineers, bike shop owners, athletes, coaches, mechanics of every speciality, bike industry folks, community bike organizers, lots of college graduates, a professional cook, and a sports nutritionist.
But the one thing we all had in common was our love for the sport of cycling and all that revolves around on two wheels. To have been part of this experience was unbelievable and one I well never forget or fail to appreciate.
Here are some photos of the experience.
I came away from the experience with a USA Cycling Mechanics License for Road, Mountain, Track, and BMX Level 4 and a USAC Officials License for Road Regional C, Mountain Regional C, and Track Regional C. Also had a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Code issued.
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