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Pieces of Me

Team Uniforms
Posted on 4/16/2009
Tips for a Successful Criterium
Posted on 3/9/2009
Recovery
Posted on 3/9/2009
Crit Training
Posted on 3/9/2009
Rainy days and Tuesdays
Posted on 3/3/2009
Racing Season 2009
Posted on 2/26/2009
Changes....
Posted on 6/23/2008

My Teams

Athletes for a Cure Bike Racing Team.  Who do YOU race for?

Skullcandy Bike Racing Team

Q&A with Darby Rides

Employment / Experience Summary

I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a former police officer. I am currently the Sous Chef at Cameron Park Country Club in Sacramento, CA. I have also cheffed/studied under the direction of a Certified Master Chefat the Houston Country Club and was a pastry chef at the world famous St. Regis Hotel, Houston. I am a graduate from The International School of Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Houston.

What inspires you to compete?

I ride for the thrill. Medals, trophies and the like are pretty, but I compete for sport period. I love riding, and I have the chunks of missing skin to prove it.

Describe your style...

My cycling style is gritty. The metropolitan streets of Houston were my training ground. I trained there and commuted exclusively by bicycle, usually my fixed gear. If you have ever driven or had the mettle to cycle there, then you know I am a few rungs up on the insanity ladder. I have been hit, clipped, ass-slapped...you name it. So, what does that translate to in a competition? It means freaking people out when I decide to squeeze through where I shouldn't and dodging instinctively. I'm not afraid to fall. If I see a chance I take it. Sometimes I am wrong and the rubber ends up in the sky instead of on the pavement. My attitude about that is "Oh well. How's my bike?". My knees used to usually have raspberries on them from a couple of weeks earlier. Not so often anymore.

Do you train? What does your schedule look like?

I train on a fairly sporadic schedule for now. I am finally in racing shape. Now that I am ready I will do some crits and road races this year. It is nice to be in NorCal and training on hills instead of parking garages for a change.

Some Personal Information About Me:

I have a beautiful bride who is my Angel on Earth. Between us we have three wonderful kids. I am a good public speaker and have been on TV a few times because it comes naturally to me. I have five tattoos and will probably get more. I got them all in Germany when I was stationed there and that has been over a decade. I am a very talented private chef (for hire if you can afford me).

One Mile At a Time

My bicycle is my release, my cave, my escape, my therapist, my zone, my island in the middle of nowhere. My bicycle helps me stay fit and focused and keeps my reflexes trained. I use my legs to push it forward and it uses whatever that magic thing it does to push me through the life I struggle to find purpose in each day.

I use my body and my bicycle to advocate my disgust at the use of illegal performance enhancements.  I also use them to help raise money for causes which speak to my heart. There are more causes than there is time and I feel like I fall short sometimes. Nonetheless, I do what I can. Please help me if one of those causes speaks to your heart as well. When enough of you do so, it adds up to a lot, and will make a very big difference in a less fortunate person's life.

Ride Clean!  Don't try, TRAIN!

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