2009 Euro Campaign in the Books

Nostalgia has once again set in. I'm here in the Stuttgart Flughafen awaiting departure back to Boulder, CO. I can still remember the same moment when i was coming here back in February. In February, 6 months sounded like a long time. Half a year out of the country in a land I'm not familiar with, trying to speak a language I knew literally nothing about, and an untold number of new experiences I would encounter. To explain it all I would need to write a book(in the future) but I'm going to just highlight a few things that forever will impress upon me as I grow older.

Top Eleven Things (b/c 10 is too generic...in no particular order except the last one)
* I learned a new language
* I suffered like I have never suffered before in a race
* I discovered that küchen(cake) is a suitable pre-race food
* I learned what it's like to be part of a true team
* I saw many new lands and rode through countless villages sometimes at very high rates of speed other times not so
* I was part of a championship winning team
* I grew deeper into my relationships with those close to me
* I learned the SuperPrime is very difficult in the race
* I tried many new foods and developed a great appreciation for Schwäbisch food and Deutsche musik.
* I completed a full-season of racing in Europe
***I became part of a family, one that helped me, encouraged me, looked after me, spoke with me, and gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream

Last October, the idea came to make this all happen. Until December, I didn't think I could pull it off. Thanks to all the people who made this happen: my parents and siblings, my ladyfriend Kristi, my friends Karl & Shawn, my team, and my Deutsche Familie, Die Sanwalds! It's amazing to think about what I have experienced over the last half-year. Ich gehe züruck nach Boulder, aber Ich bin ein Backnanger und Ich komme züruck =)


Now onto the next chapter of my life in Boulder with a great girl and the fondest of memories to share with all....

Auf Wiedersehen,
Matthew