Yes I drive a Mercedes

I am going to start with something different than what I intended today.  Today was originally going to be titled, "A happy ass; a happy rider".  I will get to that tomorrow.

Yesterday afternoon I went to Wegman's around 4:00.  Wegman's is busy around then.  I have a habit of parking in the side lot by cafe.  Don't ask me why, I just do.  There was one spot open.  A little tight, but not unreasonable.  There was a mega SUV to my left and a new style Ford Focus COVERED in stickers to my right.  This car was parked at an angle, driver's front tire touching the outside of the double yellow line marking spots.  I parked as far left as I could.  Space was reasonable.  I was able to get my son out of his car seat on the passenger's side without too much trouble.  I go shop.  When I come back the driver of the focus is in her car.  As I am putting my son in his car seat I hear, "When you drive a car like THAT aren't you supposed to park far away?"  What?  Quickly followed by, "It must be nice to afford a Mercedes."  Let me pause here.  Yes I drive a Mercedes.  As a matter of face I own three Mercedes.  One is a parts car.  One, (my wife's) is a 1984 190D, and mine (the one I was driving) is a 1981 300D with around 280,000 miles on it.  All diesels. 

Combined we spent $2200 on three cars.  She was driving a 2012 Ford Focus SEL, starting price $21,000.  Again...What??  I can understand that here in the rust belt older cars are not seen as much.  The ones you do see are collectors cars people drive during the Summer.  Not on a cold, salt covered road day like yesterday.  My car is filthy.  I finished buckling my son in.  Calmly I turned and informed the woman that I had wanted an old diesel Mercedes for a while and knew that when the time was right one would become available to me.  Power of positive thought.  She put her window up and pulled ot as I was getting into my car.


What does this have to do with riding?  Where are the single speed comments?  Just this.  I really believe in the power of thought.  Both positive and negative.  Many people look at a single speed and think, "People who ride those are crazy", "That must be so hard, not being able to shift.", "I could never ride a bike like that."  If you think like that, that is what will happen.  At the beginning of last season I told myself that I would ride the best I could, get some results, and at the end of the year get some sort of grassroots sponsorship.  You know what.  It happened.  Not once did  I think otherwise.  I am proud to be racing for Trek.  As you prepare for races this year, keep your thoughts on the positive.  This will be my day, this race will go great, what a great day to be doing this, I am prepared to do this, etc.  Try it.  It works.


This season, I will become good friends with the podium.