Comments on: Things That Scare Me – Tales of Chinese Racing

By: Jim W

Jim W — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:05:45 +0000

Haha 呵呵 very funny stuff. Nick way to defend your blog. So having visited although never raced in China I can appreciate Nicks commentary on Chinese cab drivers. (defiantly a white knuckle but fun ride around 上海市 (Shanghai) sidewalks. . I agree China does have a different approach to traffic control and the cabs own the roads however they are also very friendly and helpful even with communication difficulties. (one driver even called his friend who spoke a little english to translate for me in Nanjing way cool good luck with that in NYC) and the food is oily but also very good but different in presentation Note fish with head still attached and when I say hole chicken I mean the feet also head are part of the package. All fun and good times. Can’t wait to go back. 下次再见。

By: L and E

L and E — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:56:56 +0000

Dn’t listen to everyone else, they’re just jealous that they didn’t have a scary time in China!

Glad you survived China! Can’t wait to see every body rock in ‘09!

By: spokejunky

spokejunky — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:59:26 +0000

Nick, you probably should’ve gone with trading three beaver pelts for the bandages. The French traders never go for just two beaver pelts.

By: ngreistad

ngreistad — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:38:12 +0000

Nikki,

Hope you were able to get some belly flops! I’m working on getting the motivation back to make more Bean Turns episodes.

By: nikki

nikki — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:27:28 +0000

Hey Nick! Nice way to wrap up the season. Great riding by you guys!

I was up in WI this past weekend, and checked out the JB Distribution center and took the hokey but cute tour of the place. Did you know that your love of Sports Beans is on a never ending loop on the screen there? If you didn’t, I thought you might enjoy knowing you are. LOL!

Thanks for a fun season of following you guys and “As The Bean Turns”. Great fun through and through.

By: ngreistad

ngreistad — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:30:15 +0000

Jackson,

I appreciate your concern for my state of mind while traveling abroad. However, I do think you missed the point, and are reading too far into what I’ve written. I can assure you that I am always serious about racing, and all the preparation involved to be ready for my job. My racing was unaffected by the location, and we had a very successful race. We won two stages, took 4th in the teams classification, and had a handful of top-5s and top-10s. We were the second grossing team in prize money. If you don’t think this was a team effort, then you are sadly mistaken. When I’m off the bike, I try to be light-hearted and not take things too seriously. Watch my videos and you’ll get an idea.

What I decided to write about was the differences we encounter that are unique to racing in foreign countries. I’m sure most of the readers have never raced in China, so I wanted to highlight some of the funny experiences. If you’ve ever worked in a foreign country (Canada, Mexico, Europe countries, China, or wherever) you’ll know that it’s not like working at home, and you have to make concessions in how you handle your job. One concession I would NEVER make is in my well being. I will procure whatever bandage I deem necessary to make sure I get back on the bike. I will make sure that, even though the food isn’t up to my standards (or anyone’s, for that matter), that I am able to eat enough to replenish my expenditures.

I encourage you to go back and reread the posts with this in mind. Not once did I mention a dislike for China. I actually enjoy racing in foreign countries because it takes me out of my comfort zone and I perform better. Jelly Belly gets invited to Asian races because we are professional both on and off the bike, not because of your presumed arrogance. Not once did I feel unwelcomed by the Chinese people. Quite the contrary! The Chinese people, especially in the smaller cities we race through, are amazing hosts and I relish the interactions with the local inhabitants as part of the experience. Unfortunately I don’t speak Chinese, but our attempts at communication seem to go a long way and the people that we meet are just as excited as we are to be able to share our respective cultures with each other. Ethnocentric? Probably. But who in all honesty isn’t?

On the other hand, perhaps I was affected by my rice and mystery meat diet. It was fun to watch the Euros squirm and complain when a piece of squid accidentally lands on their plate. To my other readers, I’m sorry I had to be so serious for a minute.

And, seriously, driving around at 20km/h in 5th gear? There’s GOT to be a better way to do things…

By: Jackson

Jackson — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:14:23 +0000

I actually do race, while I am not pro material, I do okay. But I just find it odd that he hasn’t had anything nice to say about being there. My complaints have nothing to do with his racing or my racing, Nick is very talented,but I see his diatribes as ethnocentric, I thought a man of his stature and travels would be more understanding of other cultures and be more accepting that some things overseas are different. Any cyclist at that level should understand that. His complaints make it seem like it is his first time overseas and they never end. I am sorry Nick didn’t feel welcome in China, but he really should just leave it on the course. Negative thinking like this will no doubt effect his racing. How can you expect to do well if you hate being there so much? Any sports psychologist will tell you that. It just sounds bush league to be complaining like that. Like the JV ball player who tries to sound better than he is so he can pretend he is varsity. There isn’t even the slightest tinge of professionalism in his posts. No wonder the rest of the world dislikes Americans. Especially arrogent pricks who do nothing but complain like 9 year old girls. If you want things to be the way they are in the US, then don’t leave the US. Get a job here and do the daily grind, then you won’t have to worry about buffet tickets and Chinese drivers.

By: Dicky

Dicky — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:28:43 +0000

Jackson,

You sound really concerned with these issues. Why? Do you even race bikes? Probably not very well.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:44:36 +0000

Why don’t you let Nick respond?

By: Roxy

Roxy — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:15:35 +0000

Jack,
This isn’t kindergarten, so I’m sure he won’t get put on the time-out chair. His DS was probably thinking the same thing, too. Lighten up!

By: Jackson

Jackson — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:51:03 +0000

The first post was humorous, but after that it just went too far, get over it Nick. If I were his DS I would bench him for his attitude.

By: Roxy

Roxy — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:30:00 +0000

Jackson,
Have a little humor in life! Seriously dude. Never once does he complain about the racing, I think you are missing the point. I think you sound bitter because you can’t get there yourself. Love, Roxy.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:54:24 +0000

All you have done is complain about China, stop being a sissy, there are a million guys that would take your place if you don’t want to be there so bad. Grow up you pansy baby.