yes, I was in the national organization and raced a bit, with absolutely no skill or success . . . I learned that "sports" aren't all the public believes them to be. A lot of politics and plenty of favoritism. After a couple of years I became disenchanted with the whole "sports life" and gave it up. But back in 1985, we at the lowest level of the sport (local sanctioned races) at least had the manners and dignity to present ourselves in a clean manner. (Notwithstanding those at the top like Lance Armstrong and the other drug-takers and blood dopers.)