Today Ben Jacques-Maynes, a professional cyclists who I am friends with and have watched develop from a young cyclists racing my CCCX Cyclocross Series races into one of the USA's best all around riders, won a stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic. Ben immediately dedicated the win to another local rider who just passed away from a heart ailment, Chris Hipp.
This past Saturday at the Watsonville Crit. I had a long talk with Ben about racing and life in general. Ben told me about his friendship with Chris Hipp and how they trained together and I could see that Ben was very hurt from Chris Hipp dieing so unexpectedly.
To hear that Ben rode away from the best domestic riders at the end of a hard race and then dedicated the win to a fallen friend was very special to me. Ben really is a great rider and a great person.
Cycling shows people's true character. Some people quit and are negative, while others are always out there trying their best and fighting the good fight on the bike. Some people always say positive things to others when riding- encouraging others and uplifting others even when things go wrong. While others remain quite until they then say some negative remark that will only lead to conflict. Most of all cycling shows the true feelings of its competitors. You want to know how someone feels about you, test them and push them, and see how they respond. Their true feelings toward you will most likely be revealed. Either they will be haters and respond with hatred and negativity, or they will be kind, caring, respectful and congratulatory.
Friendship can be shared on a bicycle between humans. Racing and training is hard but the demands of cycling build character. Cycling also builds friendships and support groups that make one better, stronger, and faster. Cycling can also show you "Who" your real friends are and "What" real friends really are.
Ben Jacques-Maynes and Chris Hipp were true friends who supported each other and kept it positive when the cycling was demanding. Congratulations to Ben for winning a race and dedicating the win the Chris Hipp. Gestures like that show true character and are touching in a heavenly sense and are straight from the heart.
