I feel it in my bones. I feel it in my breathing. I fixate on how much I feel it in my legs to the point where I find myself in a meeting, rubbing them to gauge how soft they’ve gotten. (Must learn to stop doing that in public as it can’t possibly improve my social standing. I’m tempted to cite the fact that I’m a Cyclist and it is normal in our circles, but I’m afraid that will only serve to drag the rest of you down with me rather than prove my case.)
For most uf us, life gets in the way of Cycling when we’re not careful to ensure it doesn’t, and having a goal sketched out before you can be helpful in keeping focus. In the run-up to Keepers Tour, I managed to stay disciplined and make room in my schedule to get on the bike regularly enough to get fit. But goals also have the effect of leaving a void once attained. In the aftermath of the trip, I’ve been hopelessly caught between conflicting priorities as I struggle to catch up after those few weeks away; without a goal in sight to make sure the bike gets assigned its due importance, I find myself riding the bike less than I’ve become accustomed to.
Of course, I do find satisfaction with each ride I manage to get out on, and I take comfort in the knowledge that things will settle down again and balance will be restored. It is during these times, however, when the feeling in my legs, lungs, and bones serve to constantly remind me that I’m a little less fit than I was yesterday that I realize what the bicycle is: an addiction.
I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but I wouldn’t be able to make a convincing argument against anyone classifying me as having an addictive personality. And, based on the assumption that you’re reading this and relate on some level to what I’m saying, then you probably have one, too; it seems to be a bit of an occupational hazard for the Velominati. Consider the following from WikiPedia, which represents a body of work by people whose credibility and identity is impossible to verify. Everything but the bit about “weak commitment” and “stress” rings true:
An individual is considered to be at the risk of developing…addictions when he/she displays signs of impulsive behavior, nonconformity combined with a weak commitment to the goals for achievement valued by the society, a sense of social alienation, and a sense of heightened stress. Such a person may switch from one addiction to another; or even sustain multiple addictions at different times.
The article goes on to define this condition as a “brain desease”. That sounds more “insulting” than it does “scientific”, but I have no choice but to submit to the authority of those whose credibility I can’t disprove. So, in the face of an overwhelming lack of evidence of being incorrect, it has to be assumed that we (or at least I) have broken brains, though as I write this I suppose this fact shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying any attention at all. On the other hand, we already aspire to be heroin-thin, so I suppose it’s fitting that we have an addiction to go along with the appearance.
Having told you now what you presumably already knew, I’ll close with the following sentiment: so long as I’m destined to be addicted to something, I’m glad it is Cycling, which I consider to be something healthy and positive, instead of something destructive like crack or reading.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@Steampunk
+1!!!
A-Merckx to that, brother. You have put words to my world.
Why can't they understand our predicament? It's almost as if they think we can control this.
VLVV
This addiction we have is most noticeable during times of turmoil in our lives. During the last few months we sold our home and bought an under construction home back in the town we are from. Among all of the details (including trying to find employment) the one thing that has been a constant is the ride, and yes it helps that a goal is in sight but I would have to ride to avoid going insane anyway. So the addiction, which is insanity in itself just helps us not be insane in other ways.
In April, the VMH and I went to NYC for a long weekend, returning in the wee hours on Monday. Of course, I had to take Monday off, not just because work would have sucked due to the late arrival home, but so I could get in my--albeit a day delayed--weekend ride.
If this is addition, make mine a double!
Nice one, Frank! Can't believe you find the time to keep on writing great pieces.
I'm definitely addicted to cycling. I need a sport to keep me in balance. Growing up I was addicted to the sport of lacrosse; it was the main passion in my life from the age of 7 until I was 22. A few years after college, years during which I was without a good sporting addiction, I began riding a road bike because I was too impatient to wait for buses and trains to get me around. Nine years later, here I am. VLVV.
And, my addiction to cycling has not always been healthy. I've been riding so much the past few years that I became the type of lazy, unproductive graduate student that I strongly dislike. I wouldn't do enough work and to feel as if I'd accomplished something I'd go ride for hours. I'm now forcing myself to only ride every other day so I can finally finish coming down the home stretch. I've come to terms with it as well. In eight weeks would I rather be nearly done or a bit faster? For the past few years it has been faster. But now I see that a few weeks of discipline & distance from the bike will pay off nicely. And heck, I'll still have a few weeks to get in shape for Le Tour!
Okay, now back to work.
I realized how much I sympathize with this article when I noticed my hand was squeezing my quads without thinking. Mine have grown soft this month, too.
It's the people around you that make you realise how bad it gets or how bad it already is. I thought I was addicted to motorbikes, I've always been addicted to riding off road (motorised or not) but in the last 3 years road cycling has sucked me in to the point where my wife said 'you've changed' !!
And like the KT attendees, after a trip of 8 straight days of glorious riding all I worry about is losing fitness and getting out for a decent ride
Such is this life seemingly
Still haven't shave my legs tho....
Took my "addiction" to the next level.
After seeing the pictures of the V-crew at the Merckx velodrome i was intriqued to give it a go myself
3 weeks ago i went to the track for the first time , rented a bike and tried not to make an ass of myself but enjoyed the experience
Fast forward to today, weather has been shit all week and i got carried away .... got my first 65 km on my very first personal track bike during a 2 hour session ; i am baffeled by the ease at wich you can ride 40 kph for 50 minutes on just one gear
Next goal, shed the equivalent of a keg of beer in weight and get myself in some sort of climbing condition , i booked a 3 day trip to the Stelvio mid September .
I feel bad for you guys.
I managed to double my time spent in the saddle, double my kms ridden, and tripled my meters climbed in April this year vs April last year.
PRIORITIES PEOPLE! Work? Family? Pffft. Rule 11.
Stop enabling me, you pack of junkies!!