Tripper: congratulations Rudy..you did it! You completed your first ever Cherry Roubaix and you not to mention your first ever real road race! 

Rudy: thanks Tripper feels pretty good, I mean I beat a whole pile of legitimate USACycling, category racers, and I just obtained a license not 9 months ago 

Tripper: yea that’s gotta feel pretty radical, I mean it takes some people years to get a solid ride like that.

Rudy: thanks Tripper I’m feeling pretty good, I thought just because I don’t do all that weekday stuff I’d be at disadvantage, but things just kinda worked out. I’m hoping that now maybe I can find my groove, and pick up a decent sponsorship, in hopes of maybe doing another race at some point, I mean you can’t really be a bike racers with no sponsorship or a team.

Tripper: Awe come on Rudy! You don’t really believe that do you?

Rudy: well yeah tripper don’t you have to?  to work as a team ? And what about the equipment deals, and free stuff, racing a bike cost money, and don’t have deep pockets to chase my summer dreams! It seems customary that as soon as a guy starts posting notable rides, and making the selections he gets the offer.

Tripper: trust me Rudy, being on a “team” isn’t a requirement and most that are on a team are doing little or nothing to even justify the discounts, or even free stuff that’s getting swagged to them. You see there has this been this long running misconception that everyone should have a sponsor or be on a team of some kind. But in all actuality it’s not a requirement nor is it that beneficial at local level. Besides there is a pretty rad term out there that’s getting tossed around.

Rudy: oh, what’s that?

Tripper: it’s “ Privateer” 

Rudy: what’s that mean?

Tripper: look it up...