A Gallery of Photos Racing Man

A Gallery Of Photos RACING MAN

Raymond J. Lustig, Jr.

Getting up before the sun to ride in mud, wet, cold. Taped fingers. Old injuries that refuse to be forgotten. Knots of anticipation setting precariously on a breakfast swallowed too quickly. Pavement scuffed knees. Riding so close you can see the grain of somebody else’s leather. Trying to catch some sleep in the van between races. . .or even a little rest at the riders’ meeting. Getting off in the last lap when you’re in the lead. Explaining to a dozen different people a dozen different versions of what went wrong. Pre-race strategy. Postrace solace. Always someone to offer both. Not much time to be mad at yourself, frustrated, fatigued; you’ve got to be back up for tomorrow’s race.