Why RadioShack is Now My Son’s 2nd Favorite Team
Note: While Fatty is cycling away in France with Andy FREAKING Hampsten, Paul Guyot is guest blogging.
Cyclists are some of the coolest people left on this earth. We all know that. In fact, let me pause here while you all give yourselves a pat on the back. Go ahead. I’ll wait…
Okay, great. We know we’re nifty folk. But I want to share an experience with you dear house guests of Fatty, that will reveal why PRO cyclists are the coolest of the cool. Though, I’m not sure about the one dude who hit the other dude with the wheel last year.
By the way, why is houseguest one word, but house guests is two? And since we’re on this train, why do people spell “yea” Y-A-Y? It’s not like it’s saving you any time. Still three letters to write or type. In fact, the E and A are closer together on the keyboard than the A and Y – thus, spelling it the proper way will actually save you precious nanoseconds over time.
But I digress.
Team RadioShack is awesome. They’re all friends of our host, and there’s good reason. RadioShack rocks. Bruyneel, well, you’ve seen it around here, the guy’s pretty freaking nifty.
Leipheimer, King, Horner, Busche, and the others have been my son’s favorite cycling team for a while. He rides a Trek because RadioShack rides Trek. He treasures his Tour Of California t-shirt that was signed by every member of the squad. (Note: THAT amazing feat would not have been possible without Fatty and the great folks he knows at TRS)
That all changed on Tuesday when – by helping out BIKE MS and the National MS Society – I was able to secure a spot for myself and my son among the 100 VIP’s who got to meet, hang out with, Q&A with, and ride with members of the Garmin-Cervelo pro cycling team.
Perhaps you’ve heard of them? They won a little bimble know as Pairs-Roubaix, had a truly amazing Tour de France, won just about every team competition out there, and are crushing it in Spain as we type. Oh, they also had 2 of the top 4 finishers at the Tour of Colorado, er… excuse me, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge last week.
My son, who takes his support of pro cycling teams very seriously, was extremely excited when I told him he’d be meeting and riding 20 miles with the boys of Garmin-Cervelo. Here is a direct quote:
“Oh my gosh, dad, they are my second favorite cycling team. I love them! God of Thunder, Ryder Hesjedal, Christian Vande Velde, Tyler Farrar, Captain America, Peter Ste… Ste… that one Peter guy who rode the Giro, and my favorite one of all, Tommy D.!”
I then informed him that Tyler was in Spain (which he knew) and that Thor would not be in KC, but that he was leaving Garmin for BMC next year anyway. Another direct quote: “Why? He did so good with Garmin, why go to a team that already has a guy like him?”
This is when daddy replied with: “I’m not sure BMC has anyone like Thor.“
My 8-year-old son corrects me: “Yeah, they do. They got that one guy from Omega… Farm Whatever who is so good in the Classics and on sort of half-sprinty, half-climby stages just like God of Thunder.”
This is when daddy goes to the Internet and finds BMC has signed Phillippe Gilbert – the half-sprinty half-climby guy. Desperate to keep the Daddy-knows-more-than-son tip alive, I fire back with a “Yeah, well, looks like they signed Thor first, then Gilbert.“
To which, without missing a beat, my son says, “Well, that just doesn’t make sense. Those guys both did basically the exact same thing in the Tour de France.”
“Okay, fine, whatever. Bottom line is we won’t be meeting God of Thunder.”
“I don’t want to meet him now if he’s leaving Garmin-Cervelo. They’re my second favorite team.”
And with that we are off on our four-hour drive to meet and ride with the boys of Garmin-Cervelo. My son’s second favorite cycling team.
We arrive an hour and a half early because… my son is 8-years-old. But just as I am thinking up creative ways to kill time, my son sees the team approaching, sporting jeans, Polos and non-cycling sunglasses. Christian Vande Velde engages my son, they have a brief exchange, and then I say, “Jack, do you know who you’re talking to?” My son looks between me and Christian with knitted brow. I tell him it’s Christian Vande Velde and, right there on the steps of the Garmin International headquarters, we all witness an actual human mind being blown.
How many times have we all heard some version of It’ll blow your mind? Let me just say that, until you actually see it, you cannot imagine the sheer force and beauty of it.
Over the next hour, before this event has even officially started, the Garmin-Cervelo riders are not hiding out in their bus, they are not huddled in a corner making inside-jokes to each other while trying to avoid eye contact with any non-Garmin types. No.
They are sitting around with my little boy engaging him in all sorts of conversations. Daniel Lloyd is showing him video of his son on a bike; Ryder Hesjedal is discussing how to become a better descender – “Practice. And keep pushing the limit.” “What’s that mean?” “You gotta crash a few times.“; Even Director-Sportif Jonathan Vaughters is talking to Jack like he’s one of the team.
Some highlights:
- Vande Velde blowing his mind.
- Vaughters telling my son the Garmin junior race program starts at age 12, but that Jack could give him a call at age 9.
- My son asking Captain America Dave Zabriskie if he’d think up a cool nickname for him. Without missing a beat DZ says “How about Bucky?“
- My son asking Vaughters if he was going to be driving behind the day’s group ride with a radio yelling “Come on, come on, come on.”
- During the Q&A Tommy Danielson telling us that during the big sprint finishes on stages, he hits about 495-500 watts… for 95th place.
- Moments before we rolled off with a hundred others for the ride – the look on my son’s face as he said, “I’m about to ride with Garmin-Cervelo.“
- A dropped chain and subsequent red light caused us to lose touch with the peloton, and since we were in unfamiliar territory daddy had no idea which way to go, and thus, made the extremely unpopular decision of abandoning the ride. Tears were shed, complaints were lodged, and then, as we grew closer to the Garmin building and the start/finish line, a pack of about 25 riders on the return loop of the ride, rolled up on us being led by Tommy Danielson. They got stopped at a red light, and Tommy D cruised back to where we were, asked Jack how it was going, and picking up on my son’s less than enthusiastic response, asked Jack: “Hey, dude, will you ride in with me?”
- The complete physiological change that took place in my son after Tommy D. asked if he’d ride in with him.
- Watching from behind as my son rode in, chatting with Tommy Danielson – his favorite Garmin rider – because Tommy D. asked Jack to ride in with him.
- Tommy D. Tweeting a photo of himself and Jack after the ride.
- My son asking Tommy D. where he could buy the kind of water bottle Tommy D. had on his bike, and Tommy saying “Right here” and giving Jack his water bottle.
- How each rider and the Director treated my son with respect, interest and genuine pleasure despite the fact they were all probably completely exhausted and wanted nothing more than to get this glad-handing over with and get home.
As we pulled out of the GARMIN parking lot and headed back home my son was looking over his autographed photos, signed jersey, water bottle, and new Garmin-Cervelo t-shirt and cycling cap. He paused a moment and said, “Dad, there’s a problem… I don’t think RadioShack is my favorite team anymore. Wait, maybe it’s a tie for first… no, it’s not. Garmin-Cervelo is my new favorite team. RadioShack is second.“
I told him that was okay, but he was not convinced. “I don’t think Levi will care if they’re my second favorite now, but I bet Chris Horner would be mad.”
I told him that Garmin just got lucky and got to spend time with him, and that if RadioShack did the same they’d probably be back at number one. His reply: “Do you think I could meet RadioShack? They do train by Uncle Jay’s house, right?” (Note: Uncle Jay lives in Tucson, AZ)
Before I can answer he adds: “Actually, I don’t think so dad. I’m kind of friends with all these guys now. So even if I become friends with RadioShack, I was friends with Garmin first. Besides, JV said I could join their junior team early, and Tommy D wanted me to ride with him, and I have this weird feeling that Levi or Chris Horner might try to drop me on Mount Lemmon if they know I like Garmin.”
A HUGE THANK YOU TO: Christian Vande Velde, Peter Stetina, Tom Petersen, Danny Summerhill, Dave Zabriskie, Daniel Lloyd, Ryder Hesjedal, Tommy Danielson, and Jonathan Vaughters. And very special thanks to Jake Jacobson of Garmin International who did an amazing job.
Comment by Grant | 08.31.2011 | 2:55 am
Wow, that is so cool! I can only hope my kids show as much enthusiasm for cycling as Jack, and that we can have an opportunity to experience the heroes-of-the-day in a few years time!
Comment by Grant | 08.31.2011 | 3:01 am
btw, who wrote this?
Comment by Bragi Freyr | 08.31.2011 | 3:04 am
osom
Comment by jebspeed | 08.31.2011 | 3:36 am
touching story, thanks for writing it.
Comment by pathguy | 08.31.2011 | 3:53 am
Wow, amazing and so cute!
Comment by Doug (Way upstate NY) | 08.31.2011 | 5:18 am
Way cool. Treasure those memories always.
Comment by Josh in Upstate NY | 08.31.2011 | 5:19 am
Awesome! Jack is too funny!
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 08.31.2011 | 6:06 am
Off-topic, but any Fatties riding the Granite State Wheelmen Seacoast Century in NH/ME the weekend of 9/24-25? If so, email me at deepbrook@gmail.com.
Comment by roan | 08.31.2011 | 6:18 am
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !
Comment by Jason | 08.31.2011 | 6:18 am
Too funny. Great post. It’s awesome to see youth who are this passionate about something…especially cycling.
Comment by Evia | 08.31.2011 | 6:22 am
That IS the coolest thing ever. Might have to make them MY #1 team too – they were top 3. Love that they appreciate fans and mere mortals. Your son is absolutely adorable!!
Comment by Slowstdy | 08.31.2011 | 6:24 am
Way too cool a story, tell Jack Garmin has just become my favorite team too. Oh and his had is a cool guy too, Fatty made a good choice.
Comment by Julie | 08.31.2011 | 6:35 am
Awesome, thanks for sharing! I wish I could start every morning with a heartwarming story!
Comment by mtnbikechk@hotmail.com | 08.31.2011 | 6:46 am
First off, Jack is the cutest little rider EVER, second, Garmin-Cervelo rocks on ALL levels and thirdly great post, great read and now I’m just filled with sunshine on the inside….thanks for sharing and thanks for letting me start my day all..’sunny-like’…
Comment by TdF Lanterne Rouge | 08.31.2011 | 6:52 am
Nice. I’m jealous of a freakin’ 8-year-old.
Well done, Garmin-Cervelo boys!
Comment by K | 08.31.2011 | 6:52 am
Very sweet! Thanks for sharing. And you’re doing an awesome job filling in for Fatty.
Comment by MOCougFan | 08.31.2011 | 6:58 am
Very cool. Cyclists really are the best.
Comment by Kelly | 08.31.2011 | 7:01 am
What a fabulous post! And your son is sooooo cute. How does he know so much about cycling – he must have picked it up from his dad!
Comment by Christina | 08.31.2011 | 7:11 am
AWW! That was an awesome story! We went to Rabbit Ears Pass this past weekend to watch the first KOM on Stage 5 and when George Hincapie went by, I shrieked his name. I can’t even replicate the sound that came out of me. I’m impressed your son was so calm.
And I agree…you are doing an awesome job filling in. Fatty who?
Comment by Rebecca E. | 08.31.2011 | 7:12 am
Thank you so much for the heartwarming post. I am with Evia, I think Garmin-Cervelo is my favorite team now too. I have always loved Dave Z., but the “Bucky” comment really sealed the deal- and they do have the best kit. That pic of Jack with Tommy D in matching kits is just about the cutest thing ever. You are clearly an awesome dad – as Jack is clearly such an awesome kid.
Thanks for the post.
Comment by Aaron | 08.31.2011 | 7:19 am
Great post. Looks like you both had an amazing time. I work in that building where you started the ride, but couldn’t go on the ride due to a schedule conflict.
Just curious, you said it was a 4 hour drive….where from? Looks like there are some good trails in your area….
Comment by Mike H | 08.31.2011 | 7:27 am
Yeah I was on that ride too and got to ride with Danny Summerhill. Garmin did put on a first class event for fans of the team. I am super lcky to live about 3 miles from the HQ and those are my nrmal training routes.
Glad you had a great time!
Comment by Bob | 08.31.2011 | 7:32 am
GREAT post! Awesome experience. Jack knows jack about pro cycling, that’s for sure. I’m also w/ Evie. So cool that the G-C guys were so engaged.
Comment by Dillon Bikes | 08.31.2011 | 7:41 am
Awesome story, I hope some day when I have kids that they are as passionate about cycling as your son is! Thank you for sharing!
Comment by The Bike Nazi | 08.31.2011 | 7:42 am
Wow what a great experience for a cycling aficionado. And you got to do it with your son! It must make you so happy that he’s as into your hobby as you are. (By the way, I didn’t know you had an 8 year old son. I thought the twins were the youngest kids. Could you do a family update so your readers can keep track? Like, I had been picturing you as a Dad with some teenagers and the twins who are starting to get older now, not as a Daddy with a 8 yr old. I for one need characterization…)
Angie
Comment by Obstinate Roadie | 08.31.2011 | 7:47 am
Yay!
Comment by Sara | 08.31.2011 | 7:52 am
Oh my god. That was an awesome story about some awesome people. Brought tears to my eyes! :)
Comment by Marv | 08.31.2011 | 8:09 am
Glad to hear the back story that went with the Tweet Picture yesterday. Almost ran out to Garmin HQ myself just to see the guys. They are always so nice and it has been my experience from multiple races that not only are the Garmin guys that way but all procyclists almost to a man are the same way, just a great group of folks and always fun to be around.
Comment by J. Wall | 08.31.2011 | 8:12 am
Very cool post and great photos. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Shevaun Fennell | 08.31.2011 | 8:14 am
What a memorable occasion for your son. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Paul Guyot | 08.31.2011 | 8:28 am
Thanks, all. It was an amazing experience mostly because there is nothing like watching your kids experiencing pure joy.
We also learned a great lesson about never giving up, and how sometimes things might seem bad but there’s a reason for everything – Jack realized that if we had not had to abandon, then he would not have gotten to ride in with Tommy D.
He slept with the water bottle.
Comment by Turn The Damn Cranks | 08.31.2011 | 8:33 am
Awesome story, awesomely written-up! Yay [couldn't resist] for Jack!
Where did Jack get the sweet kid-sized Garmin jersey? I know two little girls who might need their own . . .
Comment by rich | 08.31.2011 | 8:38 am
Awesome post, awesome story and I think after reading htis Garmin may now be my favorite team as well….
Comment by Wife#1 | 08.31.2011 | 8:55 am
As the mom of an almost 7 y/o boy, I am genuninely thrilled for you that Jack had a once in a lifetime day.
That said, no one pro cycling team is more supremely awesome, fabulous, cute, sweet and wonderful than Team Radio Shack.
There, I said it. Flame away if you must, Jack and dad, but Radio Shack RULES!
Comment by Jeff S | 08.31.2011 | 8:55 am
I have a problem….. After this post I think fatty is my second favorite cycling super megablogger. I have to go ask my dad if that’s ok.
Comment by TomE | 08.31.2011 | 8:57 am
What a great story! That is one cute kid! Here’s to rooting Bucky on in a few years!!
Comment by Bryan (not that one) | 08.31.2011 | 9:00 am
AWESOME story! You did a great job of telling it. What an amazing experience for your son. I think Garmin just became my favorite team, too!
Comment by NYCCarlos | 08.31.2011 | 9:03 am
HA! I love it. Your kid rules, dude. I hope you know that’s in part because you are an awesome dad. Thanks for sharing… Loving the guest posts.
also, I almost ruined my laptop when I spit water all over it when you told us all that he slept with the bottle. that’s the cutest/funniest thing I’ve heard this week.
Comment by Chergyle | 08.31.2011 | 9:09 am
Jack – I know how you feel! (Except Garmin has always been my number 1). I made a big Argyle banner and took it to the TdF last year. We took it to 3 stages in the Pyrenees and to Paris. My mind got blown when, in Paris, the Garmin bus stopped and the support team got out and handed out some Garmin goodies to us and everyone around us. I like to think it was to acknowledge my awesome banner! Not only are the riders great – so is everyone on the team! Argyle is #1!!
To digress…ya, yea can mean yes, but YAY only means one thing. (Yeah, I’m feeling defensive because I actually used YAY for the first time ever not so long ago.)
Comment by Jesse | 08.31.2011 | 9:15 am
Your kid is cute as a button. And that’s such a sweet story that I nearly cried. Kudos to Garmin-Cervelo for being awesome people as well as cyclists!
Comment by Jenny @ Fondant is Gross | 08.31.2011 | 9:15 am
What a great post! Jack is so adorable, and so funny! What a great read to start the day!
Comment by Matt | 08.31.2011 | 9:23 am
So good! So well written, funny, insightful, I think your son should have a article here and there.
Comment by Dan in Sac | 08.31.2011 | 9:30 am
Very cool! Now those are pro athletes worth meeting.
Comment by SueM | 08.31.2011 | 9:31 am
best story every! I think Garmin is now my number on team also!
Comment by HeidiR | 08.31.2011 | 9:39 am
Absolutely awesome!! What a terrific day, and it’s nice to know that there are professional athletes who are actually good role models. It’s wonderful to hear that they spent so much time with your son. And like everyone else said, he is one cute kid!
Comment by Kim | 08.31.2011 | 9:58 am
What a sweet sweet story and your son is sooo cute. I have one the same age and it is such a cute age.
Comment by Redhead | 08.31.2011 | 10:01 am
That’s a nice story.
I also really like the Garmin-boys. (They have the probably craziest guy in the peloton among other things…)
Wonderful how down-to-earth they are. XD
Comment by KevinM | 08.31.2011 | 10:02 am
Amazing post … So glad that your son got to experience how true athletes treat their fans … Clearly they appreciate the fans and especially the young ones … Great job on the blog and great job to Garmin-Cervelo for keeping it real and making a positive impression on a little boy … and his dad.
Comment by Jacob | 08.31.2011 | 10:05 am
Great story. Good thing for me is that I already liked Garmin Cervelo, so I don’t have to reorder my opinions. Really great story, though. My son’s too young (four) to have any real heroes outside of the family, but I’d love to be able to do something like that for him when he’s old enough to care.
Although at the moment, I think my son’s idols would be more along the lines of famous paleontologists and museum curators than athletes. He’s certain that that’s what he wants to be when he grows up.
Comment by Jacob | 08.31.2011 | 10:07 am
Also, your kid can do a 20 mile ride at 8? Your kid is awesome.
Comment by Mike@Squirrelhead | 08.31.2011 | 10:09 am
Wow that was an awesome story. Your son is a truly lucky little man. It is great to hear that the Garmin Cervelo team are good guys.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 08.31.2011 | 10:19 am
Way to go Paul, great opportunity for your son (and yourself). My daughter got to ride with a Team Jellybelly rider at 8 at Best Buddies Hearst Castle. That was then her favorite team. But as Wife#1 says…Radioshack rules!
On the plus side you and your son can dress up for Halloween in sideburns, argyle, and designer glasses…. it always scares me.
Comment by Kevin M | 08.31.2011 | 10:26 am
Great story!! It is so great to hear about the good side of professional cycling. Go Jack!! I can see him riding in the TDF in about 14 years.
Thanks for sharing this experience Paul.
Comment by Dawn | 08.31.2011 | 10:27 am
I agree 100%! Went to the Garmin team bus after stage 6 of the Tour of Colorado :) and have to say that those riders are amazing! They weren’t hiding in their bus like so many others, they were out signing autographs, posing for pictures and talking with the fans. Got autographs from all the riders and my picture with Dave Z. and Danny S.!!!!! It was the highlight of the month for me and my friend! Absolutely LOVE this team!!!
Comment by Haven-KT | 08.31.2011 | 10:27 am
Great post, Paul!! You and your son are so lucky…. and I love those pictures. Jack is a real cutie, and he may have the chops to make it big with Garmin!
Comment by Levi | 08.31.2011 | 10:32 am
Jack, What’s up with that? Just like that I’m not your favorite rider anymore?! How can we change it? Tommy D and Garmin are all good guys so I have my work cut out for me. Levi
Comment by Microchip | 08.31.2011 | 10:47 am
GREAT post!! Terrific little guy! Love the pictures!
Comment by Ryan Surface | 08.31.2011 | 10:55 am
Very Cool -nothing quite like making an 8 year’s day, this article just confirms my long held belief that the Garmin Cervelo team is pretty cool, always nice to hear the riders (and Ryder) you cheer for as pro cyclists are pro people as well. Thanks for the giving me something to smile about this morning
Ryan
Comment by Ginger | 08.31.2011 | 11:00 am
Things that make you say ‘aaawwwwww…..’ :)
Comment by @stevebitter | 08.31.2011 | 11:10 am
Haha! That was awesome! “I bet Chris Horner would be mad” Classic!
Comment by Charlie | 08.31.2011 | 11:17 am
Nice!!! Enjoy riding with him while you can, because in a couple years he’ll be flying!
Comment by Mateo | 08.31.2011 | 11:18 am
Thanks for sharing your story and photos. Great kid that Bucky, can’t wait to read the post when he gets his first PRO contract.
Comment by Wife#1 | 08.31.2011 | 11:23 am
@Levi – no worries! We too have a cute wee cycling dude and this is what he sees everytime he heads outside…
Here he is training for Leadville….
Comment by Dave T | 08.31.2011 | 11:39 am
Fantastic post, Paul. I agree with Jacob 20 miles for an 8 year old is pretty impressive. Also his in-depth knowledge of cycling is equally impressive. Levi maybe you need to invite Jack to a U8 training camp. That way you could sign him before Jonathan dose. I love the digression keep it coming.
Comment by Rick Fredericksen | 08.31.2011 | 11:44 am
Well I mayself got there very early, it was just Jack his dad and me. I asked Jack who was his favorite rider and of course he said Tommy D. Jack went on to say that he was going to race the Tour De France and win it. What a remarkable young man Jack is. I should have got Jack’s autograph what was I thinking.
Comment by Lora | 08.31.2011 | 11:59 am
What an awesome story!
Comment by zeeeter | 08.31.2011 | 12:15 pm
That sure put a smile on my face! Awesome story, thoroughly enjoyed reading that.
Comment by Bicycle Bill | 08.31.2011 | 12:16 pm
This is a great story and an example of a great bunch of guys. It wouldn’t have mattered a fiddler’s damn what jersey they were wearing.
-”BB”-
Comment by Live4July | 08.31.2011 | 12:37 pm
WOW! What a great father-son relationship you share. A future Tour de France winner for sure. And, Jack, don’t worry honey, I’m sure Chris will forgive you and will still be willing to be your very best friend along with Levi, the RadioShack guys AND Tommy D and the rest of the Garmin-Cervelo guys. There’s enough love in this cycling world to go around and I’m sure anyone would be willing to share with such a fantastic kid as you, Bucky!
Have to agree with Wife #1 though, RadioShack has had my heart since they were U.S. Postal, but Garmin-Cervelo captured a big piece of it with the Argyle pattern that Jonathan Vaughters brought that very first year.
YAY for you Bucky, I look forward to your future. Maybe YOU can be Captain America someday. You’re a terrific kid Jack.
Comment by Mikeonhisbike | 08.31.2011 | 12:39 pm
That was an awesome story. It’s great when PROs go out of their way to be regular Joes. They probably like it that way.
Comment by Jeff Bike | 08.31.2011 | 12:50 pm
My son and I share our hobby of riding. He started at 6 or 7 he’s now 29. We have raced together as well. He is a fulltime roadie now and there is no way the old man can keep up! My technical trail bike handling is still better.
Encourage in an easy going way and you’ll have a ride buddy for the rest of your life. You have started a good relationship that will last. You’re a good Daddy. You have engaged him with you as a friend
Comment by Jerome | 08.31.2011 | 12:59 pm
Cool article – my daughter’s favorite rider is Tyler because she got his autograph after the KC stage of the tour of Missouri (second year it was held) and Tyler finished behind Cav, but he was cool and Cav wouldn’t talk to her ….
The final year of the tour I got Dave Z to sign a felt bike seat and my kids got all kinds of autographs from the pro’s – including Thor’s from Cervelo…
Comment by GJ Jackie | 08.31.2011 | 1:01 pm
Hey Jack, what size/type of bike are you riding? Do they make a carbon road bike for kids yet? My son is 9 and would love to ride with you in CO.
Comment by Maureen | 08.31.2011 | 1:10 pm
Beautiful story, thanks for sharing.
Comment by Heidi | 08.31.2011 | 1:11 pm
Wow, what a great story. I wish I had that kind of experience with pro racers when I was Jack’s age. Tommy D is a great role model!
Comment by Julie | 08.31.2011 | 1:22 pm
Jack’s had a great day and he’s definitely made mine too with this wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing all this with us! This is exactly why procyslists are the coolest guys on earth. THANK YOU.
I hope Jack can keep that passion for cycling alive and he’ll be able to go a long way!
Comment by TheCheat | 08.31.2011 | 1:23 pm
Well, Levi responded but Chris Horner didn’t. I guess maybe he’s still kinda mad.
;)
Comment by Micha | 08.31.2011 | 1:27 pm
Jack: You made the right call. Team RS is supposed to be kaput and Levi is leaving for the new Omega-QuickStep team!
Comment by Heidi | 08.31.2011 | 1:53 pm
Way cool! Spend a few munutes with a kid and it can change his life.
Comment by Heidi | 08.31.2011 | 1:53 pm
Or hey, spending a few MINUTES with a kids is even better!
Comment by Chris | 08.31.2011 | 1:56 pm
What a great story!! Had to keep repeating ” grown men dont cry!” Garmin Is my favorite team too Jack. What a great team to make a young mans day.
Comment by Lori Scheel | 08.31.2011 | 2:03 pm
I think this was my all time favorite Fatty post. I know it was. ADORABLE.
Comment by John Burrows | 08.31.2011 | 2:08 pm
My son in Denver a bike fanatic and Tri-athlete sent me this story.
IT is so heartwarming. These Pro Cyclists are bringing their sport to the people and it’s growing like Topsy. What great role models they make for the young athletes and us old athletes.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Onward and upward and downward
Comment by Scott R | 08.31.2011 | 2:12 pm
Awesome story!
As a KC area guy, I’m glad you guys had a great time in our neck of the woods.
I sure do miss the Tour of Missouri. Was so great to have a local event of that size.
My little guy is still in training… very early training.
Comment by Bunkie | 08.31.2011 | 2:17 pm
Jack – Garmin was the nicest team at the 2008 Tour when I was there. CVV signed my jersey and Ryder signed my green hand. In Paris at the last stage, I waived my Slipsteam jersey at the Garmin bus while it was waiting to park. Someone waved back and then got out of the bus, walked across the Rue de Rivoli and handed me a Garmin hat with the brand new log. My coolest moment ever. My husband wrote a nice story about it and sent it to Slipstream. They selected it as a Fangyle winning story one day and sent me socks. Coolest team.
Comment by George | 08.31.2011 | 2:32 pm
Jack- When you are riding for (or probably the directer of) Garmin-Cervelo I bet you will be are as cool to my grand kids as these guys were to you!
Comment by Tyler Toone | 08.31.2011 | 3:42 pm
Great story! Those memories and experiences will forever be remembered by your son.
Comment by AJP | 08.31.2011 | 4:08 pm
Lovely story, an experience to remember always. “Yea” means yes, as in old English, and goes along with “Yeah”. “Yay” comes from “hooray”.
Comment by Debi | 08.31.2011 | 4:35 pm
Wow, that was heartwarming. YOU and your son will never forget that experience.
Comment by Bike Codes | 08.31.2011 | 4:43 pm
Crazy story! Glad Bucky enjoyed it.
Comment by Craig | 08.31.2011 | 4:46 pm
very, very cool…
Comment by oheckler | 08.31.2011 | 4:53 pm
Hands down my favorite FC guest post of all time.
Comment by JodieA | 08.31.2011 | 5:19 pm
Great guest post, Paul. Those Garmin guys sure know how to win people’s hearts. I’m kind of jealous, too.
Fatty, don’t worry we still miss you. If there are many more posts like this you may have to keep Paul on for a once a week post to keep the masses happy, though.
Comment by Paul Guyot | 08.31.2011 | 5:20 pm
Jack has seen the comments and is quite blown away by all this. He says… “Cool. Thanks.”
To someone’s comment: his bike is a Trek KDR 1000; a 24″ road bike. They don’t make them anymore. Felt makes a great kids road bike.
As to the “Yea” and “Yay” of it all. Unfortunately, you are all wrong. Yea does not come from yes – “Yeah” comes from Yes. Yea comes from “yea” as in “yea or nay” – Yay does not come from Hooray – it comes from lazy writing and spelling due to technology and entitlement among other things.
And just to really annoy you – “impactful” is not a word. The correct word is impactive. But again, our society assumes if enough people spell or use a word a certain way, it just becomes correct. I don’t subscribe to that.
Lastly, apologies to those of you who thought Fatty had posted this. Apparently, he’s been dealing with crazy emails about the 8-year-old son none of us knew he had.
My bad.
Comment by A | 08.31.2011 | 5:27 pm
Pshaw. Yea should be prononced like yeah; if you want to say something rhyming with splay you’re going to be saying yay.
Comment by kc | 08.31.2011 | 5:40 pm
i met a bunch of the garmin guys in silver city nm a couple of years back. CVV, DZ, Eusar, and Tuft were really cool dudes
Comment by Anonymous | 08.31.2011 | 5:42 pm
What a lucky boy! What a great team!
Comment by David | 08.31.2011 | 6:30 pm
Great blog post!!! Definitely the best I’ve read in a long time! :)
Comment by Pat | 08.31.2011 | 6:31 pm
Loved it!
Comment by Aaron | 08.31.2011 | 6:52 pm
That was awesome. Made my day
Comment by cece | 08.31.2011 | 6:53 pm
What an amazing kid for 8 years old! Thanks for the great story!
Cece
Comment by Barry | 08.31.2011 | 7:08 pm
Geez, I would have acted just like Jack, and I’m 54. Something tells me that kid is a bike racer for life now.
Comment by Blane | 08.31.2011 | 7:38 pm
Love it. I think Garmin might be my favorite team now. Jack will remember that for the rest of his life.
Comment by Brian D | 08.31.2011 | 8:15 pm
Paul, Cool post I enjoyed reading it. Great stuff – seeing the inspiration passed along!
Brian – (CVC Gold/Orange)
Comment by Jeff | 08.31.2011 | 8:28 pm
According to the Oxford English dictionary, Yay would be the only correct spelling for an exclamation of approval or encouragement. If you are looking for a synonym of yes, then yeah would be appropriate, or perhaps yea if you are a member of Congress.
Comment by Uni-Tom | 08.31.2011 | 9:53 pm
Great story, and great little racer dude. Made my day.
Comment by Mark | 08.31.2011 | 9:53 pm
Great post! Jack is so adorable, too. I hope to continue reading about his cycling exploits in the years to come. What an incredibly mature perspective for an eight-year-old.
I agree that yay is not “correct.” I agree that impactful was a word dreamed up by marketers. But you are wrong when you say yea does not come from yes.
Yea does not come from yes – “Yeah” comes from Yes. Yea comes from “yea” as in “yea or nay”:
Note: Yeah is a variant of yea, an informal variant, but a variant nonetheless. Not sure what you think nay means, but it means no or negative. You vote yea or nay, an affirmative or negative vote.
yea
O.E. gea (W.Saxon), ge (Anglian) “so, yes,” an affirmative word in Germanic, cognate with Ger., Dan., Norw., Swed. ja.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
yea
? ?/ye?/ Show Spelled[yey] Show IPA
adverb
1. yes (used in affirmation or assent).
2. indeed: Yea, and he did come.
3. not only this but even: a good, yea, a noble man.
1yea
adv \?y?\
Definition of YEA
1 : yes —used in oral voting
2 : more than this : not only so but —used to introduce a more explicit or emphatic phrase
yea (je?) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
— sentence substitute
1. a less common word for aye
— adv
2. archaic , literary or ( sentence modifier ) indeed; truly: yea, though my enemies spurn me, I shall prevail
[Old English g?a; related to Old Frisian j?, Old Saxon, Old Norse, Old High German j?, Gothic jai ]
Yay does not come from Hooray – it comes from lazy writing and spelling due to technology and entitlement among other things.
yay2(yay)
Pronunciation:/, y?/
(also yea)
adverb
informal
* (with adjectives of measure) so ; to this extent:I knew him when he was yay big
Origin:
1960s: probably a variant of the adverb yea
nay (n)
adv.
1. No: All but four Democrats voted nay.
2. And moreover: He was ill-favored, nay, hideous.
n.
1. A denial or refusal.
2. A negative vote or voter.
Middle English nai, nei < Old Norse nei no, contraction of ne not + ei ever; see na, ay1
I guess you could have discussed the use of aye (used in British Parliament) vs. yea (used in U.S. Congress). I really wish you had thrown in the proper use of "penultimate" in your post as I hear it misused so often. Yea!
Comment by Alan | 08.31.2011 | 10:05 pm
Maybe Jack could give a little guest post while Fatty is gone? What harm could there be in that? Just saying.
Comment by Chris from DownUnder | 08.31.2011 | 10:41 pm
Great post Paul.
Can I just back up how great the Garmin boys are, at his year’s Tour Down Under here in Adelaide we got to meet Tyler Farrar and Julian Dean, Julian chatted with my eldest asking if he rode and how he had kids about the same age as mine and how much he missed them when he was away. Tyler was just so encouraging and great with the kids as well.
Just really nice approachable folks, not your typical arrogant sporting star who gives you a grunt and some illegible scrawl for an autograph.
And to add why do flammable and inflammable meant he same thing????
Comment by Wife#1 | 09.1.2011 | 12:05 am
I’m confuzzled… earlier today reading through comments, I saw a few replies at the bottom of specific comments from (allegedly) Fatty – in his style anyway: italics, short and very witty in that inimitable, self-deprecating manner of his… but now they are gone.
Wassup?
Comment by rrose | 09.1.2011 | 12:49 am
Paul, thank you, thank you for the discussion about “impactful”!!! (I’ll just presume a discussion of “impacted”; aarghhh). Maybe you can give us a few words on the not-so-new “apprishiate” that’s infiltrated the language. Makes be berserk. Oh, and what ever happened to the first ‘l’ in vulnerable, and to the second syllable, altogether, in that word? Maybe the people who use that have /gulp/ i-s-s-u-e-s.
Jack is the coolest. You’re clearly doing plenty right. What a fabulous day out for him, and for you. Love the story and the telling. Thanks.
Comment by Yay! | 09.1.2011 | 3:07 am
A little word about the “godly” move to BMC – the main reason for moving was perhaps the lack of respect he was getting from a certain mr Vaughters.
Thors main goal each season, apart from TdF, is the mentioned Paris – Roubaix. For the second year in a row he was promised full support from his team, and for the second year in a row one of them went in a breakaway blocking Thor from going for the win. Paris – Roubaix is the ONLY race he is asking for full support in!
A shame for Garmin, they are much weaker without Thor. Remember TdF: 7 days in yellow, 2 breakaway wins (gaining time towards the “best team”), great TTT and a super lead-out for Farrars win. Put in a Haussler or any other rider instead and make your own opinion on how good their TdF would have been..
BMC are looking really strong next year though! Don’t be surprised if they win ALL the spring classics. Having the two best classic riders in the world on the same team can not be a bad thing!
Comment by Maggi | 09.1.2011 | 5:35 am
Paul,
Great guest post! What a neat experience — thank you for sharing. Cyclists really are unique among the world of pro athletes — they work harder, make less, and are just damn nicer than pretty much anyone else out there.
“He slept with the water bottle.” Totally killed me – because it’s funny, because the mental image of the little dude curled up with his water bottle is freaking adorable (my 3yo nephew sleeps with his favorite John Deere toy), and because I would probably have done the same thing.
What a great experience for Jack — a memory he’s going to treasure for life, and the fact that Dad Made This Happen is going to be a big part of what makes the memory special.
Comment by Mark Kynaston | 09.1.2011 | 5:39 am
What a great read that was – thanks for posting in Fatty’s abscence. I would like to have seen the look on the Runners face when Fatty started getting all those e-mails about a mystery eight year old son!
Only one problem – how are you going to top that when the next special Father \ Son time comes around!
Comment by DOM | 09.1.2011 | 6:28 am
“But again, our society assumes if enough people spell or use a word a certain way, it just becomes correct. I don’t subscribe to that. …
My bad.”
Irony, intentional or not?
Is there room in Jack’s room for you to adopt me?
Comment by BZ | 09.1.2011 | 8:26 am
Now that is an awesome story. It must be great to be Jack.
Comment by Demonic1 | 09.6.2011 | 1:47 pm
That was a great story Paul.
Your son’s comment about Chis Horner being mad kept a smile on my face all day long.
Thanks.
Comment by Jen | 09.8.2011 | 2:11 pm
Jack reminds me of my 6 year old. He can sit and chat about pro riders and bikes all day. I think his teachers get sick of it. Can I repost this on my blog velomom.com. Please email me if so. Thanks, Jen
Comment by Buy cycling jerseys | 09.15.2011 | 6:15 am
Your son is pretty damn cool
Comment by MaxVelo | 12.14.2011 | 5:11 pm
I’m 43 – and after reading that, GC is MY favorite team now! What a class act. What a great day for your son – that’s a fantastic read.