In July of 2011, I spent a few days in Bend, Oregon covering Team Exergy at the Cascade Cycling Classic as a part of A Manual for Speed.

Pro cycling in the United States is far removed from the institutions of football, baseball, et. al. The athletes at this race compete at the highest level of cycling on this continent (cycling's equivalents to Michael Jordan and Barry Bonds compete, for the most part, in Europe and often times don't even come to North America for even the largest of races). Yet, they sleep on couches at the homes of friends of the team, cook their own meals and fix their own bikes. Certainly, these men (just on Team Exergy they range in age from 22 to 38), many of whom will never race a bike in Europe, have a desire to race bicycles that is in and of itself.