Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sacrifices... not necessarily

There was so much going on this weekend, we normally attend our local Da Vinci Days festivities but with other events going on this same weekend such as the BMW MOA Rally in Salem and the 34th Annual Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend that available Team Oregon instructors were in short supply.

I knew months in advance and made sure to leave my calendar open so I would be available to teach this weekend. Even though it would've been neat to check out the rally, meet up with other riders and visit the numerous vendors in attendance, I don't own a BMW nor do I much care for large gatherings of people, let alone a bunch of BMW snobs ;)

The Cycling Classic needed volunteer marshals to ride motorcycles for the event and direct traffic, shuttle photographers and cameramen as well as other official duties. I don't much care for the desert of Central Oregon, especially in the middle of summer. I grew up in hot, dry, desert country of sagebrush, sand and pine trees so I suspect I didn't miss much there.

What I did do though was spend an awesome weekend with a fantastic group of new riders. I had so much fun, the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and each one of them passed with flying colors! This was my first class where every student passed both the skill evaluation and the knowledge test, not a single retest was issued.

So it wasn't me that made the sacrifice at all, I feel bad for the other instructors that missed out on the opportunity to teach this particular class of students. What a great weekend!


16 comments:

  1. Brad,
    Sounds like you were exactly where you belonged and that many were the better for it!

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    1. I do believe I was, thanks Coop. The students were so great.

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  2. You made the right call!

    I hate crowds as well......

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    1. I had a great weekend with no crowds and no traffic but twelve students on motorcycles.

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  3. Sounds like a pretty righteous weekend to me. Making the world a better place by teaching people to ride!

    Crowds suck unless you've had enough to drink that you shouldn't be riding anyway. :)

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    1. I get claustrophobic in crowds, drinking doesn't help.... or does it?

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  4. the whole class? pass? you sure it wasn't rigged? ;)
    jk :) i think it's a testament to your coaching and instruction!

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    1. I was confident they would all pass but I still had to double check the scores to be sure.

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  5. When you are passionate about things they aren't a burden and just think of those students you have reached, they will be awesome riders because of your instruction.

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    1. I certainly hope so, I look forward to waving to them on the road.

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  6. It must be a real challenge to find instructors during these nice summer weekends. Thankfully they have dedicated instructors such as yourself. 100% pass rate, eh? I should send Bridget to one of your classes...

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    1. One student asked how many classes I have taught where everyone passed and they all applauded when I told them one. I assured everyone it was all them.

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  7. First of all I am not a snob....I am elitist.

    teaching, training and imparting knowledge brings great rewards. I enjoy every opportunity I get to help riders get to an advanced level.

    Well done.

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    1. Ha! You are correct sir, my apologies. Elitist it is.

      The students don't realize that we get more out of it than they do.

      Thanks


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  8. So I wonder who was more excited at the end of class, you or them? :)

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    1. I am sure I was as I am after every class, but I was probably too exhausted to show it.

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