Back from a 4.5 hrs mountain bike ride, making up for lost time onthe bike the past 6 weeks. fire roads and singletrack. Phoenix lake, Eldridge to the top of Mount Tam, railroad grade to West Point Inn, Old Stage to Pantoll Ranger Station, Coastal trail to Muir beach, Green Gulch trail to Coyote Ridge, to Miwok fire road across Hwy 1 to Miwok single track, Panoramic Hwy to Gravity Car to Hoo koo e Koo to Kentfield coasters to king mountain single track! Gorgeous day!
Continued........................
Not to sound boastful as that's not my intention but just to state a fact, I am the only female owner/manager of a UCI track team in the world, it was just something i needed to do and was a natural progression from where we were as a team. (there may not be any women owners of road teams either, not sure of that.) Many of the other international team managers and riders ( when i was in Sydney & Beijing for track world cups) assumed I was the team masseuse (I am that too) They were all surprised when i let them know.
Obtaining sponsorship dollars is an uphill battle for a women's team, and I am so incredibly grateful for the support from our current sponsors who have faith in the team and its athletes. we could not do this without you. While some women's teams folded at the end of 2007, its exciting to see more other sponsors stepping up to support their women's teams.
Most people have no idea how much work the team takes, including myself when I started two years ago, its a thankless job at times and one I don't really get paid for (that will change soon) I felt that my first 2 years in 'business' I would just put the money back into the team, race reimbursements, race radios, website etc.
Self doubt creeps in on occasion and I wonder what I am doing. I wonder about spending so much time on something so frivolous as bike racing, when the world is full of less fortunate people in less fortunate circumstances, i think as long as i do this with honor and integrity and can inspire women to have fun, be passionate and healthy, I am ok with it.
- Thank you to my friends who reassure me that I am doing the right thing, the first two years I definitely was flying by the seat of my pants.
I have such a long list of names of those who have supported me but I am afraid to leave anyone out it includes, family, friends, teammates, sponsors, mechanics, bloggers, racers, nutritionists, commentators, coaches, acquaintances, directors, mentors, advisers, designers, bike shops, volunteers to name a few!
I watched a movie last night - A man who went up a hill and came down a mountain
Thank you too for all the support and thanks to my team mates who continue to inspire me to do this. ~ Nicola
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
btw, I understand. although we've chosen to operate the team on a different level, I've gone through everything you mention (including putting my own $$$ back into the team to help it succeed). if you ever need some reassurance, just remember all the good things you've done for your women. it isn't easy. there are lots of critics. women will leave your team and you won't understand why. just keep your goals in sight, Niki.
Carpe diem.
I pledge $100 to Proman each time a Rock and Republic rider tests positive in 2008.
Post a Comment