“Local cycling great to train for Quiznos Classic” |
| Local cycling great to train for Quiznos Classic Posted: 30 Sep 2010 05:01 AM PDT Publish Date: 9/30/2010
Local cycling great to train for Quiznos Classic His gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in road bike racing had its roots in a couple of fluky developments — his dad opened a bike shop up in the Colorado mountains, and the 10-mile trip from there to his home in Aspen sparked an unknown something in the 12-year-old that later drove the work ethic which formed a top-flight cyclist. His gold-medal triumph in the Los Angeles Games is considered to be one of the most riveting finishes in the sport's history; his bike now resides in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. He was inducted into the the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2004. But much like a stage ride at the Tour de France, Grewal's career had sudden twists and harrowing turns, and more than enough drama to suggest his retirement in 1993 was an act designed to get a rare chance to breathe. Not that he kicked back or anything — Grewal immediately began to build timber frame homes, yet another intensely physical and draining way to spend one's hours. Other interests and passions have filled Grewal's life in the years since retiring from cycling, but the restless heart has been moved again to return to the bike. With the city's interest in bringing a stage of the 2011 Quizno's Pro Challenge to Loveland, Grewal has decided to throw his name and support behind the mission. His goal is to be there at the starting line for the race, at 51 years old, the only competitor to tackle the race in its three incarnations (Coors Classic and Red Zinger were the other title sponsors). And it makes sense, really that Grewal's instincts as a community activist (which included a mayoral run as well as regular commentary about dealing with homelessness in the area) dovetail with something that can raise the profile of the city. "The best leverage I have to get the race here is to be part of it. The best thing i can do for the sport, to promote Loveland, and for my family, is to do what I do best," Grewal said. "And that is to race. This event would bring a lot to the area that we don't automatically see, and it can brand Loveland as a place that gives more than it takes."Grewal gave it all he had in his first serious ride since launching his comeback, the 90-mile Wheat Ridge Cyclery's Crooked Roubaix in Winter Park on Sept. 11. Riding with what would kindly be considered primitive gear, he placed fourth overall. "After I retired, I didn't ride a bike for at least a decade. My work was plenty physical — timber framing jobs that were 10 hours a day for six or eight weeks. ... I didn't have any choice," he said. "From about 2002 onwards, I used my bike to get around. When I first made the commitment to train, I saw it as a one-month thing. "The first week, I felt terrible. Second week, a little better. By the fourth week, I felt pretty comfortable, to where I could go four hours a day. I found my body had a lot of resilience. ... Now, there's no way to go back." And to proceed, Grewal will be honing his training while setting his eye on the critical details — gathering up sponsorships, upgrading his gear, and finding a way to travel to some rides during the winter in warm-weather sites such as Cuba, Chile and Argentina. Loveland may learn as soon as mid-October if the Quizno's circuit will swing through town. The city council has put down its word of approval, and the Engaging Loveland organization has shown off all assets and strengths of the area. Now, it's time to hope for the best. Faith that the unknown will prove to be a pleasant destination is another thing that keeps the blood flowing for Grewal. "The contacts have been made; the components needed and the people involved are already there. I think we'll get it, and I'm acting like it's going to happen," he said. "It's a race that will have international attention, media from everywhere, and maybe me riding in it adds the quotient that gets it here." © Copyright 2010 Loveland Publishing Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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