It’s time again for me to touch base with everyone out there who knows me or
knows of me.
It’s in the middle of summer 2004 and exactly 2 years ago since I had my
accident back in Canada. Meanwhile a lot has happened in my life and I am
sure in yours too.
One of the biggest challenges this year was going on a 10 hours plane trip
for the first time again. I used to travel lots, but since I am on four
wheels I wasn’t sure how it would be travelling on my own.
In end of June Marzocchi Forks invited me to the presentation of their 2005
mountainbike forks (for those who aren’t related to bikes, Marzocchi makes
the coolest mountainbike forks, but also forks for motorcycles such as BMW
and Ducati).
The presentation was held in Whistler, Canada, a place that I haven’t been
to since my accident. I was really excited to go and meet friends as well as
familiar faces that I remembered from when I was riding. I also wanted to be
back there and confirm for myself that I still love Canada despite my
accident there.
Marzocchi did an awesome job; they invited more than 50 journalists from all
over the world and also some riders that I used to ride with, so it was
awesome to see everybody. I felt so good being there and hanging out, even
though I didn’t go riding. In some way I still feel like I am a part of
them. Marzocchi treated me as I was still a rider. That was really special
to me and I am happy that everyone still accepts me.
The presentation of the new product range was fantastic. There were so many
new forks, that made my eyes almost wet, cause every time I see the newest
product I feel like putting it on my bike. I guess I was really lucky in the
past.
I remember forks from over 10 years ago and then it was so special to have a
suspension fork. The industry develops all the time new gear and it seems
like they could not make any better ones, but then they create again new
products that are again improved. Today you get a single crown fork with
Whistler is one of the most beautiful spots in the world especially if you
like the outdoors. But for me it is so special because I’ve got great
memories of when I was riding and even better I meet old friends or team
mates that I still feel related to.
So the managers of Whistler Blackcomb invited me to their Freeride Festival
one month later to judge the Slopestyle Contest. So that was just last
weekend and yes I travelled in 1 month twice to Canada and now my fear of
travelling with the chair is definitely gone. Again I had an awesome time,
met friends and had the honour to judge a contest with some of the world’s
best bike riders. And I have to say the contest was amazing. The sport grows
not only with the products, but also with the skills of the riders. Much
respect!
I’ve still got my challenges every day. Of course the rehab is number one.
And it is going not too bad, but it could always be faster. I see progress
and that’s all I want right now.
Another challenge for me is work, so I am organising together with a friend
and the city of Meersburg a big bike event (see attached poster). It’s great
fun and a total new experience to have actually a full time job along with
writing for the magazine Bike and the rehab.
Since my accident I’ve been a very social person. I guess I’ve always been,
but now I’ve got more time back in Munich, so I met lots of new great people
and enjoyed life with them. I also met some members of my family which I’ve
never seen before. I am very happy that I finally met them.
I don’t want to make it long. All I have to say is that I appreciate life,
family and my friends maybe even more than ever. Especially my friends show
me how great the world is. They make this journey called life so beautiful
that I don’t want to forget the moments that I had with them.
And I want to thank the bike industry for giving me something I believe in
and respect, I watch it growing and it’s beautiful to make it grow.
As you can see I still focus and grow.
I wish everyone a great summer, enjoy whatever you do and appreciate those
beautiful moments with love and respect
Tarek Rasouli