Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,<\/p>\n
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.<\/p>\n
The bikes were parked by the tree with care,<\/p>\n
In hopes that St. Nicholas would upgrade them there.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The riders were nestled all snug in their beds,<\/p>\n
While visions of Alp d’ Huez danced in their heads,<\/p>\n
And Luke in his Nikes, and Emmy in her cap,<\/p>\n
Had both settled in for a long winter’s nap.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When out on the roadway there arose such a clatter,<\/p>\n
Andrew time trialed out of bed to see what was the matter.<\/p>\n
Away to the window John flew like a flash,<\/p>\n
Watts over 1200, let’s hope he won’t crash.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The moon on the breast of a new-fallen snow<\/p>\n
Made it obvious training outside was a no.<\/p>\n
When what to my wandering eyes should appear,<\/p>\n
But ND’s Cycling team, all outfitted in gear!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
With a little Bolivian, so lively and quick,<\/p>\n
I knew in a moment Samuel had started his kick.<\/p>\n
More rapid than eagles his leadout they came,<\/p>\n
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Now Ryan! Now, Claudi! Now, Palmon and Brennan!<\/p>\n
On, Domenic! On, Hurley! On Douglas and Carolyn!<\/p>\n
To the last kilometer, 200 meters and all!<\/p>\n
Now sprint away! sprint away! sprint away all!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As climbers that before the highest passes fly,<\/p>\n
When they meet with an obstacle , mount to the sky.<\/p>\n
So up to the last corner the riders they flew,<\/p>\n
With Purdue in tow, and Lindenwood too.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof<\/p>\n
The giggling and chuckling of one little goof.<\/p>\n
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,<\/p>\n
Down the chimney Jim Snitzer came with a bound.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He was dressed all in lycra, from his head to his foot,<\/p>\n
And his kit was all tarnished with salt lines and soot.<\/p>\n
A new Cervelo P5 he had flung on his back,<\/p>\n
And he looked like a space cadet, just grinning like that.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
His quads how they glistened! his calves how hairy!<\/p>\n
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!<\/p>\n
His cycling cap was all covered in snow,<\/p>\n
And poking out of his bag was a Garmin gizmo.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A clump of Clif Bar he held tight in his teeth,<\/p>\n
You could tell by his face he liked peanut butter the least.<\/p>\n
He had a narrow face and not much of a belly,<\/p>\n
Luckily, unlike some, he took showers, not that smelly!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He was witty and pleasant, a right jolly old elf<\/p>\n
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!<\/p>\n
A wink of his eye and normal sized head,<\/p>\n
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,<\/p>\n
Quickly adjusting derailleurs, such was his perk.<\/p>\n
Taking cookies and milk without stopping, just like the pros,<\/p>\n
No power meter this year.. up the chimney he rose!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He sprang to his Tarmac, to his team gave a whistle,<\/p>\n
And away they all flew like the British Manx Missile.<\/p>\n
But I heard him exclaim; ere he rode out of sight,<\/p>\n
“Train hard this winter, and challenge Marian you might!”<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.nd.edu\/cyclingirish\/files\/2012\/12\/christ.jpg\" "\\"christ\\"")
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