Zen and the Art of Speedskating

I have occasionally used the term “allskater” to refer to someone who skates ice & inline. But I think there is a new word needed. And Ryan Bedford is the perfect example of it-

Ryan has long been known as a short tracker, but last year at LT nationals, he finished 6th in the 5k. He went suddenly from being on the National ST team to skating the 10k at the Hamar LT world cup.

There needs to be a word for this, for folks who go back and forth like Trevor Marsicano, Shani Davis, and Ryan. A word that signifies how hard this is to do, even though there seem to be great benefits.

Actually, US skaters of prior generations did tons of short track, with LT being a brief 6 week window of midwinter outdoor racing. Maybe the recent generation has made a great unintentional error in separating the two disciplines.

When I was looking at the list of registered athletes for today’s Sugarhouse criterium bicycle race, there was Ryan on the registration list. Very cool. So maybe there is a new word needed for this as well? Spdscylaterist?

Sugarhouse is a hard race, with 2 hills that when taken repeatedly at race pace, hurt a lot.

It’s a course with such variety, it does not favor any particular kind of rider. It’s a beautiful, sweeping place for a bike race.

Ryan is scary strong on the bike, and about halfway through he got into a breakaway with 2 other riders from the Spin and Canyon cycling teams. Here is Ryan leading on the climb.

I saw this, moved to the front and did a long pull at the head of the pack contributing to the chase. Not because of Ryan neccesarily, but the Spin team races very smart, tactically, and has the strong riders to win races in many ways (note the one on my wheel).

But even when you are strong, this course can hurt. Speedskating takes a lot of mental strength, and so does cycling. Here are two of the Spin guys. Good fellows too.

I felt strong & smooth for the first half hour of the race, but the last 15 minutes of hauling my 195lbs up the hills hurt a good deal.

As the bell was ringing for the final lap, even though the speed was high, it was quite a slamfest for good position, with lots of handlebars banging around.

Somewhere in this maelstrom, two riders slipped away. With my heart machine-gunning along in the high 190’s I did not see the move go.

Final time up the hill, here is the winner cranking away, pain & pleasure mixing together.

Behind him the field sprint is boiling across the road like a pot of boiling water. The cyclists like noodles fighting to stay on top of the froth. A surge up the side of the road & I go from 3rd to 11th place in an instant.

Ryan leads it out, dang he has a motor!

Thanks for Jess for filming, she was cheering so hard, the camera was bouncing, but she caught this moment right before the line. Ryan won the field sprint, 3rd place overall, and I managed to claw back a few places to finish 7th.

But the great thing is, after a race, no matter how you have placed, no matter if it’s Le Tour, or just a local crit with a cool trophy, no matter if you are national team or not, at the end of the day, to your dog, you are still the same guy.

And loved with the intensity & loyalty only a good dog can give. The only difference is that you taste better because you are salty.

Filed under: RACE DAY