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On Christmas day, I already announced that we would again follow the riders
at the Cycling Center in Oostende, Belgium in 2003 and the first one to write his
diary is Pete Barlin. Pete was part of the ABC-Aitos team (the cycling
team connected to the Cycling Center) last year and will spend the upcoming
season trying to get closer to his goal, which is the same as every other
member of ABC-Aitos (and probably some of you as well): becoming a professional cyclist. Here, at the Daily
Peloton, we will be following those riders around all year and provide you with
pictures, diaries and interviews.
If you want more information on the Cycling Center, please visit our previous
articles: (links also to be found on CC
hub page at the DP)
Cycling Center:
The New Year - 25th December 2002
Interview with
Bernard Moerman - 6th September 2002
A day at the
races: Antwerpen-Tielen - 15th August 2002
How it all began:
Introduction to the Cycling Center -
22nd May 2002
Or you can also visit the Cycling
Center website for more information.
Pete Barlin
 Pete
is a 26-year old amateur from New York and the reason why he applied for a place
in the Cycling Center with Bernard (manager/director sportif of ABC-Aitos) is to
find out what his real potential is. Before 2002 he never raced full-time
and he was eager to see what would happen with proper training, rest and intense
racing. He seemed to have liked it as he is back for another year.
If you want to email him your encouragements, please do so at this address: pbarlin@veloemail.com
Christmas is over
The busy season is over and it’s time
to get to work. I have been saving
money by doing odd-jobs such as painting and landscape work.
Today, the day after Christmas, I began sorting out and packing for my
flight to Denver on New Year’s Eve. Ben
Duke and I will be training together for the next two months.
We will stay in Steamboat Springs for a week or so and then we begin the
road trip. Our plan is to visit his
brother in Santa Barbara, California, train for a while, then possibly visit
Matt in San Diego and finally finish up in Phoenix for the month-long training
camp, set up by Barney King.
Flying to Denver
I’m on my way to Colorado and I am
really looking forward to beginning the New Year.
From now on everyday will be focused towards training.
However, I will be sure to spend a few days on the mountain since I will
be staying with the Dukes who live in Steamboat Springs.
I really want to thank all who have helped me get here, especially Dermot
and Margarette Quinn. Without
working with Dermot this past off-season all of this would not be possible.
It was also fun working outdoors and spending everyday with their dog,
Jake, who I think is probably the coolest dog ever. George and Andrea Suter also helped me a ton.
I was able to do some work for Andrea’s father’s company which
provided me with a big chunk of money that I will need to support myself this
coming season. Finally I would like
to thank Ed from Tulip Bicycle and Pro Shop in Floral Park, New York who is
truly a good friend. Please go visit him if you live in the New York area.
I’m not sure what to expect for the
next couple of months but I can’t wait. This
is definitely going to be somewhat of an adventure. Smartwool is sponsoring us again this year and they are huge
part of these first months. We will
be traveling in Ben’s Smartwool van all over the west, so keep your eyes
peeled.
New Year’s in Boulder
I made it here OK and we had a great
time last night. I’ll always
remember bringing in 2003 here in Boulder.
Today I took my Quattro Assi for its first ride of the New Year in a
completely new place. Now it’s
off to Steamboat Springs!
Pete's last radio check
at GP Dourges 2002
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