Inspiration

What inspires you? What is it in a person that you admire?

Last night I had the opportunity to photograph a bike race in Reno, Nevada (it's what my wife refers to as my hobby job). There were two things that really stood out for me - and that inspired me. Making me say - if these people can do this - what can I do?

The first was the hand cycle national championships. These are athletes that are physically handicapped in some way - usually involving lose of the use of their legs. These men and women were amazing. They raced for 35

minutes on very challenging and technical course - that is by no means flat. You try and power your self up a hill just using your arms.

The person that won the men's event, Alejandro Albor , puts out over 700 watts (for anyone that is a cyclist - and uses a watt meter - you know that for most people it's tough to put out this much power with your legs). Alejandro's next stop - is the world hand cycling championships where he will be one of the favorites to take the world title.

The second is an athlete - Chad Gerlach - who has made an incredible come back. When Chad was in his early 20's he was rising star in the world of cycling. He raced with some of the top cyclists in the world - including Lance Armstrong. He was on the inaugural US Postal Team. But then things went ba

d - very bad. During the off season Chad would party. In 2001 he started taking street drugs and by 2003 he was taking crack...and it was over. Up until less than a year ago he was homeless - and addicted. But someone gave him a chance to come back - Roberto Gaggioli a friend that is now running a cycling team called and asked him to join the team. And he is winning races and inspiring people. For the past two days - Chad has ended up on the top step of the podium - first in a race in Truckee and then in the Reno race. This Sunday - Chad will be racing in Nevada City - once again up against Lance Armstrong.

So what motivates you? What inspires you? For me - these two individuals show me that regardless of where you are - and what has happened - the possibilities for the future are endless.

For more on Gerlach - check out the article in Cycling News or the recent interview on NPR