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Tecumseh on FOPCAT

Gang - In my last email I quoted Tecumseh from his speech on how to live your life. Its authenticity is debatable but its wisdom is universal. I've quoted it in its entirety below.

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

Motive

I'll never race a Grand Tour or a Monument. I have no designs on Everest or the Poles. But by heaven I can turn the cranks, and so can you. We're fast and strong, roadworthy and uncomplaining. We have vast experience but the years have not yet diminished our power. Few could do what we're attempting.

We set this mission for ourselves, with only each other to appreciate what we set out to accomplish and the élan with which we attack it. They built these roads, these passes, and we repurpose them to our glory. "Oh, how nice," our acquaintances say, "A bike tour in Italy." and they have no idea.

This isn't a race. It's so much better. There is no money, no media, no sponsor, no scandal, no winner, no excuses, only glory. Ours is the purest of motives ("motive" is apt - that which moves us.) The faster my comrades are, the faster I'll go, the faster I'll have to be. This is the best I can do, all I can give. I hope you're strong, for your sake and my exultation.

Mastering the perfect look-away

Princeton Cyling alums are well-versed in the look-away, that pose, nay display, that is so critical for a good group photo. One might assume that the skills necessary for a good look-away come naturally to any student who has walked through the gates of Old Nassau. But that is not the case, as demonstrated by this photo, taken on the team's fall break trip to the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia. Clearly, they have much to learn...

Lindsay Segbers, Massage Therapist, joins the trip

Gang - We're bringing a massage therapist. Meet Lindsay Segbers, a racing cyclist and massage therapist who lives in Santa Rosa, CA. Lindsay will be riding with us by day and nursing our tired limbs back to life after the rides. In exchange for FOPCAT paying for her trip, she'll be providing about three hours of massage treatment per day, so don't be shy about getting some assistance with your recovery.

It's also Lindsay's first trip to Europe.