Addiction is typically defined as a bad thing. Addiction to drugs, to alcohol, sex or even work is usually portrayed as a condition to be battled, to overcome. The same sources may recommend a strict regime of regular exercise and healthy living as the perfect antidote to the bad addictions that befall an overwhelming majority of the general populace. We are convinced that an ‘exercise addict’, ‘gym junkie’ or ‘health nut’ is a tag that we should be proud to hang around our necks, not something to be fought. But take away the words ‘exercise’, ‘gym’ and ‘health’, and all you’re left with is an undesirable character of questionable sanity with bad skin and rotten teeth. And no-one wants to be that person.
I’ve known, and know, a lot of people with a lot of addictions during my life. Moreso, I’ve been/am one myself. Both good and bad. The one unifying addiction throughout has been Cycling. It seems Cyclists are of the predisposition that doing something, anything, is best done to excess. I don’t really have any Cycling friends who ‘just do it on the weekends’, as one might play golf or go to the movies or ballroom dancing. Ok, those ballroom dancers seem to be a bit obsessed, too. But Cyclists, no matter how hard they try to kick the habit just seem to keep coming back, over and over again. And I’ve never heard a doctor or so-called expert tell a Cyclist to give that shit up before it sends them to an early grave. So what we’ve got ourselves is a ‘good addiction’.
Long before I ever read the tale of Guns n Roses’ bassist Duff McKagan’s pancreas exploding and his subsequent absolution through mountain biking (in BIKE magazine sometime in the 90s), I’d been fighting my own demons, and using the bike to help conquer them. Still am. Being a hard-drinking/drugging bassist (then later a DJ) and mountain biker myself at the time, I drew a lot of comparisons between us. I took some inspiration from his story, despite not being a fan of the band, and used it to tip the balance in favour of riding rather than partying.
I’d also been surrounded by a lot of other Cyclists who had delved a lot further into the sport than I ever had, and who had their own personal battles to fight. Some were up against alcoholism, others drugs, depression, or failed relationships. And on more than a few occasions, I heard the term “saved by the bike” quoted. Among all the turmoil, in the maelstrom of a life gone awry, their constant saving grace, the rock on which they could rebuild a solid foundation for happiness, or at least some form of normality – contentment, perhaps – was the bicycle. It was always there for them, silent, trustworthy, reliable, even if many other aspects of their situation weren’t. I wouldn’t hesitate to wager that it still is there for most, if not all of them. I know it is for me, and always will be.
Whenever I need saving, I know where to look.
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Souleur - sorry to read about this. I hope you get it sorted out soon!
ElHardeen - excellent to read this tale of finding something new. Glad you jumped on a bike!
@Souleur
Yeah, my condolences too. Luckily, there will be another great bike for you, not sophie but something else epic.
Usually takes 50-60km before the noise in my head starts to quiet down. Now, if I just had that kind of time every day, I don't think I would need quite so much medication.
A lot of smart folks here, who have bracingly good taste and the ability to set the right example for others without being fucking annoying about it.
Souleur, I'm sorry for your loss and wishing you great new things in the future. I'm thinking new Italian steel with a paint job finished by Bill Nelson. (I bet he'd do it, too.)
@Souleur
To tears for your lost girl.
@xyxax
Its funny; I wrote about Cycling as an addiction about a year ago, yet as I read this I instinctively reacted that I'm not addicted to Cycling; I'm obsessed by it and passionate for it. Looking at the old article, this quote stands out
This is very interesting and I think most if not all those requirements are met by the Cyclist personality - at least a large portion of the Velominati.
Addiction it is, then. But along with healthy doses of obsession, passion, and enjoying the shit out of it. And with every subsequent high being as good or better than the the previous.
As my cycling mentor used to say to me as he started a sprint to the next road sign, "I feel the need for speed" .
Addiction, obsession, passion, aficion, and whatever -ion fits the mold with regards to cycling is just plain bad ass good. Period.
Thanks for the warm welcome guys, not an ideal way to introduce myself but hey, I'm amongst addicts right?
Really enjoyed reading the articles so far and feel I'm on the path of enlightenment.
Being of similar build to @frank I have been quite interested in his postings about his fit and position. After dreaming of a ridiculously high seat post I have, over the past couple of weeks, started to work my seat post up to what I had previously thought was too high and worked my bars down one spacer at a time to completely resting on the top race of the headset. Massive improvement to handling and riding comfort. Short or normal proportioned people say what you want about Frank's fit, it works for the tall and lanky.
And @Xyxax and @frank great point on the high being the same if not better every time. What a great addiction this is.
Yes, Uncle Gianni, yes! This is spot on: "The athlete's life demands moderation in all things but our sport, where we must hammer our brains out. It's perfect."
Sport has been the centerpiece of my life for, well, my entire life. I'm really thrilled these days it's cycling; it fits in perfectly with my schedule, life and needs. Might change, who knows, but I'm pretty damn happy to be a Velominatus at this point!
Okay, on the topic of addiction...
I do a lot of work, reading, and research on food. I've also cooked for a living.
It's impossible not to notice the obesity epidemic. And also the obsession with food, food television, and being "into" food. (I find this part funny, as a lot of times a cyclist is just shoving something in to keep going. Taste, consistency, who cares?) But I've also noticed a new movement to be happy with oneself no matter the size. This is a good thing. But at the same time, there are a lot of people who aren't naturally that size/weight.
Yes, people shouldn't be mocked or ridiculed, but what about self-control? Some people have bad genes - they like the bottle or the dust or, yes, the food too much. But then there are people who allow themselves to slip into trouble. As cyclists we know about Winter Weight and we also know it's a pretty simple equation - in vs. out.
Yes, not everyone can (or wants to) look like the Chicken. And yes, health and obesity are related to poverty and income. But there are a whole lot of people who need to take responsibility for their size and not simply say that's how they're meant to be or that being fat is okay and obesity doesn't equal unhealthy.
It's perfectly normal now to know someone who has had their stomach stapled. Imagine someone telling you they stapled their mouth shut so they'd stop chugging vodka? I'm just concerned and dismayed by this movement I've noticed going on to love yourself no matter the size, despite a lot of the size issues being controllable. (again, yes, not good to tell teens they should look like Mr. Universe or a supermodel, but...where to draw the line with saying its okay being you, no matter what size/weight?)
I just wonder how many people are "addicted" to food because it is filling in holes in their lives or selves. We can talk honestly and openly about drug or alcohol addiction yet obesity seems to be something we have to whisper about and act as if it's something forced upon the person when with the sheer numbers of obese people today you can't chalk all of it up to bad genetics.
Just things I've been thinking about and can't share in too many places, lest I be seen as discriminating. As a cyclist the weight equation is very simple. Yet the problem is getting worse on a global scale and no one seems to have any answers.
@gregorio
Another great tale. I'm happy you've been able to move on, find a new place/space and very, very awesome that crank turnin' helped you out! Keep on truckin'.