When new sports teams are formed at Lawrence University, they have a malleable phase in which they try different training techniques. In order to bring home the gold, coaches need to explore different training methods to find what works best for their team. The coach of Lawrence’s newest team, Bike Team, is no stranger to this fact. He is working hard to motivate his bikers and will do almost anything to help his team reach their potential.
Over Spring Break, Bike Team participated in their first ever race. Bike Team’s coach, Peter Coons, was eager to try a new coaching method, as he wanted to make the team’s first race a memorable one. He said, “I’ve tried motivating them in all sorts of ways. We tried implementing nap time, sticker charts and dangling carrots in front of their stationary bikes. While these tactics were mildly effective, I wanted to do more for them. My team has done some great work, but I knew that they needed an extra little push to win this race.” During the first official race, he decided to set a pack of feral dogs loose on the biking path. The bikers pushed themselves to their limits to try and escape the dogs. Many set new records that day and the team brought home a glorious victory.
When questioned about it, Coons said, “It was a sight to see. I’ve never seen such an effort from my team. I think all they need is a little perspective to get those wheels turning. Like my mother always said, ‘A near death experience is how you know you’ve won. Now take this skateboard and do a flip off the roof.’ What an incredible woman.” Coons paused to shed a few tears before continuing, “Anyway, this technique is called ‘packing.’ I think it engages a primal response from bikers, hence the victory.”
Junior Celine Stichert commented on the event, “I almost died! A dog lunged at my bike and I toppled over into a bunch of gravel. My leg bled for two hours straight! I thought I might have to get stiches. This is an unsafe training measure.” While the dogs did not bite or maim the bikers, they did instill fear into their hearts as they charged after the bikers at full speed.
When asked about the dangerous nature of this technique, Coons replied, “There are always casualties when implementing new techniques. Sure, we had a few people go to the hospital halfway through the race, but the people who kept biking made record time!”
With the first victorious race under their belts, Lawrence looks to Bike Team to keep bringing home victories. With a newfound fear instilled in their hearts, it is certain that they will achieve great things. We hope to see other teams, such as cross country, implement similar racing techniques in the future.
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