GC Explained

Bubba recently installed a counter on our blog. Much to our surprise, more than just our family is viewing this thing. So for both of you readers that check in now and then, here's some explanation.

"GC Connection" refers to Gordon Cottle. He is the common thread that weaves us together. Gordon is my father and would have been 92 this last week. All of us on this blog are either his sons, son in law or grandsons. Gordon didn't get the chance to be a cyclist, but would have been great. He was the best athlete of all of us and certainly the most competitive. He could beat you in anything that kept score. He was a hardworking, honest, spiritual man who I think about and miss every day.

Members of our family have been riding bikes for 20 years. Over that time our numbers have grown and we have spread out. Accordingly, we don't get to ride together as a group very often. Bubba started this blog as a means for the GC Connection to stay connected. It has grown into more than that and that's cool.

Here's a brief who's who.

Doug Cottle. The Doctor, the Pres., The best Uncle in the World. Doug is Gordon's oldest son and a new comer to bike racing. Doug has competed in road, crits, MTB and cross races this year. It's pretty impressive to see someone enter their first MTB and cross races in the 57+ category. Even though he doesn't play golf anymore, he'll still beat you on the course if it matters. My money is always on him. He's a gear head who always wants the best and usually manages to get it.

Kim Peterson. Special K, Pete. Kim is Gordon's son-in-law, the most unlikely cyclist I know and the most competitive person I know (next to Gordon). Kim was an all-conference offensive lineman and heavy weight wrestler in college. Bikes whimper when they see him coming. After a successful high school coaching career, Kim eventually ended up working at Specialized where he caught the cycling bug. Kim will finish LoToJa every year if he has to push his bike across the finish line. He's also learned to hang with the fast guys on the S crew's lunch ride (no small feat). Kim's wife Bonnie, Gordon's daughter, is also a rider when her health allows. Bonnie is the family support team leader at LoToJa.

Daren Cottle. The Throttle (OK, I didn't come up with this. Team Rico gave me this name because I just sit on the lunch ride and never go to the front to throttle it. It's a mocking name, not one that reflects reality.), DC. I'm Gordon's other son and I love racing bikes, any bike. Over the years, I've race BMX, MTB, road, TT, crits and cross. Some I race better than others. I'd love to go to a velodrome to race on the track some day. I suppose I kind of started the family riding when I started 20 years ago. A good day more me is pretty much any day with a ride.

Robby Garrett. The Professor. Robby is Gordon's grandson by marriage and one of the newest GC Connection riders. Robby is finishing his Phd in theology at the University of Wyoming and is the climbing specialist of the family. He is very busy with his work, kids and supporting his wife, who's in law school. Riding in the wind in Wyoming has made Robby tough and he's beginning to realize the big talent he has.

Adam Suttlemyre. AT, Sutt, the Coach. Adam is Gordon's grandson and a junior high teacher and coach. Adam's been riding for years but with a young family and coaching doesn't get to race as much as he would like. Lucky for all of you, because if he could train more, AT would rip your legs off. With limited training, he hurts me every time we ride. Adam's wife Mindi is also a rider, runner and triathlete.

Russell Peterson. The Enforcer, Louie. Russell is Kim's son and Gordon's grandson. Russ is a SLC policeman on the Gang Unit and SWAT team. You mess with one of us, we'll send Russ after you. Russ is a very busy father of 4 and works nights. Therefore, riding time is limited. However, Russ manages to get in enough training to finish LoToJa yearly and has the same drive as his Dad.

Brady Cottle. Bubba, the Commuter. Brady is Doug's son and Gordon's grandson. Brady lives in Oregon and teachers junior high. Brady is the fastest of the family and would be a solid cat 2 if he could just race enough to get some points. Brady commutes to work every day rain (most days), shine or dark. Brady won the 1st cross race he entered this year. Brady's married to Brooke, the best athlete of the family (an All-American high jumper at Weber State). We just need to convince him to move back to Utah so he can race here.

Tanner Cottle. The Thottle Jr., T-man. Tanner is Daren's 15 year old son and Gordon's youngest grandson. Tanner has ridden for a number of years and raced for a couple. He's made a huge jump this year and wins more races than anyone in the family. He regularly hangs with the big boys on group rides and gets lots of strange looks from classmates when he explains cross to them.

There you go. Probably more than you wanted to know, but it's great to have a family that rides. When we do all get out together, it is a good time.