Elite cyclist gets glimpse of fast lane

Brian Crosby, boyish-looking at 22, walked his bicycle on the grass infield two weeks ago at the National Sports Center in Blaine. As he did, every other cyclist appeared to be watching him.

"What do I think of him?" one asked another. "I know this: He's really fast."

That has been said a lot of Crosby. Since he started racing at the NSC's velodrome in 2004 with his Mounds View High School cycling club, he has improved, developing into probably the best track cyclist in Minnesota.

He even earned a three-month trip to Europe to race against the best in the world. But since Crosby has returned, he hasn't been the same. Competing against the best is not on his agenda anymore.

"That's not something that I really want to do for the rest of my life," said Crosby, his voice soft. "It was a great experience; may it never happen again."

Crosby has traded the hardcore competition of European cycling for the laid back racing here at home and races like today's Thursday Night Lights at 7 p.m. at the NSC.

Bob Williams, who has coached Crosby since his career started, knows who will be the best rider on the track.

Being the best in the state is about all Crosby wants after racing in Europe.

From fun to work

Dave Butterworth was surprised Crosby decided to give up a career in cycling. The two met in Canada in 2006 before Butterworth become Crosby's manager. He sponsored and watched Crosby and two other racers race in the International Velodrome Union's talent series in 2007 in Switzerland and Germany. In Europe, Butterworth was able to get the cyclists exemptions to race overseas.

Butterworth said Crosby has potential with his ability to change speeds, his endurance and his smarts. Still, racing in Europe was more than a challenge.

On his first day overseas, Crosby raced in the Netherlands. The race was faster than any of the national events in America. He was getting forced off the road by 15-year-olds who were trying to win at all cost. Crashing in his first two races and getting pushed to the back of the line were tough to take, too.

For Crosby, Europe was different than anything else he knew. He didn't start racing until high school. For much of his life, riding a bicycle was fun. Now, it felt like work. Sleeping on couches felt uncomfortable. Traveling from country to country made him sick. And most of all, he wasn't having fun.

"It was a complete crash course on a new way to race," Crosby said. "When you're in a race and everything unfolding with it is how you end up making money and that's how you're going to feed yourself, it makes you race a lot differently."

At the end of his tour, Crosby was trying to decide if racing with the best was right for him. Even if Crosby was on the fence, his mother knew her son had changed. Mary Crosby met with Brian in Belgium for the Ghent 6, one of the biggest races in Europe, and could see the difference.

"It made him a more mature person," she said. "He likes a well-rounded life, and he's not willing to sacrifice everything for bike racing."

All of a sudden, Crosby realized he had given up a year of school at the University of Minnesota. If he continued his racing, he would have to give up scholarships for his studies in astrophysics and physics. The inevitable question had to be answered.

Crosby chose the latter.

Home for good

By the time Crosby returned home, he didn't need to tell Williams that he didn't want to go back to Europe.

"You have to want it pretty badly," Williams said. "He doesn't seem like he's willing to do that."

But Crosby had done so much before Europe. He was named "Track Rider of the Year" twice at the NSC velodrome. He had competed well at events across the country. Williams was certain Crosby could develop a career in Europe. Williams should know; he raced in Europe for three years in the early 1980s.

So here is Crosby, trying to be an "Average Joe." He's back racing in Minnesota primarily at the velodrome, and he's having so much fun that he describes the atmosphere as a family picnic.

"It's funny to come back and race in such a civil manner," he said. "Everyone is nice."

Crosby does have a hard time telling people he didn't find out how good he could be while racing in Europe. But when they ask, all he has to tell them is he's having fun again.