Thacker Reeves - Bahama Bound!

Saturday, 16 January 2010 04:04

Hello readers, my name is Thacker Reeves. I will be writing frequent diary updates for NashvilleCyclist.com. This season I will be racing for Team Holwesko Partners/Felt/Garmin this year, the development team for Garmin-Transitions.

I will be doing my best to keep you guys updated with what is going on with the team and what it is like to race with some of the best Under-23 guys America has to offer.

I am from Tyler, Texas, a small town in northeast Texas. I got into the sport via cross country running. I had very bad reoccurring tendonitis and rode a bike in the off season to try and stay in shape. I know this will sound very cliche, but I watched the Tour that summer and knew I wanted to race a bike. No one in my family races, so I am not descended from a long line of extraordinary bike racers. My family has been incredibly supportive throughout my cycling career but it was two locals, Rory and Andrea Hannos, who helped me find my footing in the Texas race scene and develop as a rider. Andrea ended up coaching me for the following three to four years. My first race was an eight corner criterium which I raced on a 1991 Giant with down tube shifters (thanks Uncle Rick!). From there I raced as much as I could through the season and I developed each season.

A few years ago at Gateway Cup, a series of crits on labor day weekend I met Tim Hall. When it came time to find a school to go to Tim stayed in contact with me and I was very privileged to attend Cumberland University on a cycling and academic scholarship. I like to think I built a lot of my character during the last year and a half, training to race at a high level, attend races, work at a local coffee shop and keep a high GPA with a Biology major and Chemistry minor. It was a lot to balance, but they were all things I loved to do and found a way to make them happen.

Last year I came in contact with Chann McRae during the summer, and was offered a spot on the team during the off-season. It was literally a dream come true, to ride for a team at that level. I am very excited to see what I can do this season and am hoping I can be a key component to our success.

Now to get you up to speed with what I'm doing. This off season has been rough, as riding in the cold always is. I have been putting some good hours on the road (most on the fixed gear) and a good amount of time in the gym. This weekend I am in Fredericksburg, Tx riding with the Velossimo Team at their yearly training camp. Fredericksburg is southwest of Austin, in the most beautiful part of Texas and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in our country. The guys on Velossimo are great, I know a few from racing in Texas and am meeting the other guys, all of whom are a lot of fun to hang with. The goal of the weekend is to get in some looooong hours. The weather has not been cooperating so far, lots of rain and temps in the low 50s (I'll take that though).

Next week I'll be doing my first race in the Bahamas (tan lines baby!), wish me luck!

Safe and happy riding my friends!

Thacker