August 13, 2004 I continue to be amazed at how many people still visit this website. There was a need for this back in 1998. Today, there are incredible resources available on the Internet for juniors, and parents of junior cyclists that simply weren't available then. Please accept my apologies - but I simply have not had the time to maintain this website. And, I probably won't be keeping it online much longer.

Today, I want to share with the many parents who visit this web site something very special. My 'number 3 son' is competing in Athens!

I don't know what the outcome will be - I am writing this well before he competes. This is also not intended to ignore all of the other cycling athletes who are competing there, and deservedly so - it's just that this is a story about someone my family cares deeply about. And - just like all of the athletes who are competing there, Josiah has proven to have had the dedication, performed the hard work, and had just a little luck to make a dream come true.

Now, this web site is for juniors, and the picture you see above was taken of Josiah back in 1997. He was a skinny 17 yr old then, and fairly well accomplished for a junior. But I remember him even younger: as a good friend with my son, and part of our racing team since he was 14, Josiah accompanied us to training, to races (as far away as Oregon and Arizona), and generally was at our house a LOT. This earned him the designation 'number 3 son' from my wife. We never complained - I hope he felt 'at home'.

Josiah didn't have a lot of support for cycling from his family - they were worried it would interfere with school, and you never saw him on the latest bike, or with the latest wheels (well, at least not until he was no longer a junior!). He borrowed, traded, and made work whatever equipment he could get his hands on. And, not able to afford repairs at a bike shop - he learned enough bike mechanics to maintain it! (I frequently am asked why I recommend used bikes and equipment for juniors - well, after you have paid for your 2nd or 3rd new racing machine, you will know.) 

Very often I was the 'taxi' driver - carrying kids, bikes, tools, food, and pretty much anything else not tied down in my Windstar van to races and training. One time, Josiah needed a ride from his home to a training ride in Temecula. For whatever reason, we weren't going there. Unfortunately, he couldn't find a ride with anyone. So, with a duffle bag on his back, Josiah rode about 70 miles (over some rather significant terrain), to a training ride (at another cycling 'family's house) so he could do a training ride of about 70 miles up a mountain and back. We all thought he was crazy. I have been thinking about that event as I watch the athletes march into the Olympic stadium. 

The juniors who race have to find their motivation, and dedication - on their own. No matter how much we 'coach', 'support', cheer and yell, we parents can't provide this. It gives us great pleasure when we see our athletes succeed  (often, this was simply seeing my kids finish with the pack at a local crit.)

I can't take any credit for Josiah's success. This is something he achieved quite completely on his own. I am glad of the time he spent with us as part of a cycling 'family', and am very glad I could be the taxi driver.... 

Good luck, Josiah!

-Chuck Smith

(Jo is competing in Track Cycling, in Sprints and Keirin, for his home country of Malaysia.)