A Moment To Take Your Breath Away

To say it's been a tumultous past 2 months in the life of Oude Granny might seem like an understatement to some. Oude Granny, however, is made of tougher mettle; the kind that's shaped the "hard men" like Merckx, Hinault, Sean Kelly, and Tom Boonen. Afterall, as Bruce Wayne's father asks his young son in Batman Begins, "Why do we fall Bruce?" "So we can learn to get back up."

So after a prolonged absence from the Crankset, what you may ask brought me back? To be perfectly honest, it wasn't just one thing, one person, or one event. It wasn't even the "time" that people feel heals all wounds. Whether you believe in God, another divine power, or just the notion that some cosmic tumblers aligned to conspire in my favor, the final tumbler that aligned for Granny was running into an old (and no we aren't referring to her age) friend of the Crankset, Katie White.

Now some out there believe that things occur randomly, while others believe that things happen for a reason. But the randomness of our meeting surely beckoned for reason rather than chance. When and where did I have the opportunity to reacquaint myself with Ms. White? How about Highway 65 from Chicago to Indianapolis. That's right. After being too tired to continue my journey down Highway 65, Granny pulled into a rest stop to nap for 30 minutes. When I re-embarked on my journey, I happen to notice a large white van pulling a trailer ahead of me. As I got closer to the vehicle, I spotted the familiar Trek Travel ensignia we had all become too familiar with during our trip to France. As I pulled along side, I could barely contain myself when I recognized the driver. The honking at first seemed to irritate Katie, but once she decided to look over, she likewise couldn't believe her eyes. She signaled to pull over at the next exit.

Katie was as spirited and as full of life as when we last saw her on that morning we departed Paris (although T-o-03 had the opportunity to see her the following year in France, see inset). This spring/summer, Trek Travel allowed her to take a bit of a hiatus to pursue coaching through Carmichael Training Systems. But now she was back in business as a guide, having just picked up a van and a trailer full of equipment in Wisconsin; headed for a trip in North Carolina. Granny got the update on all the guides we worked with (Shannon living in Spain, Brian soon to get married, Sean likewise), and Katie received reciprocal news about the Crankset. Katie's advice to 53rd, "Cat Up!"

Now Granny can only speculate as to what brought us together for a fleeting moment...for Katie it was perhaps a much needed pick-me-up for what would be a long and ardous journey. As for myself, Katie's presence was a much needed reminder to follow my passions no matter how ludicrous they may seem to everyone else, because in the end you may just find people as passionate about the same thing(s).

Three years after Trek Travel's first Tour de France trip, Katie White was still guiding me and for that I consider myself blessed.

I-65 Mates

The Wrap
After my first full season racing on the road and on the track, Oude Granny learned that it isn't easy out in the pack and that racing is harder than it looks. But although I never really received the results I'd set out for, Granny takes away a wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as a burning desire to line up at the start again. Afterall, next year is right around the corner.

Granny (center) at the Tour of Elk Grove