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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@Ron
I feel exactly the same way regarding "being okay with your body". Of course, you should be confident in yourself, but if you need to lose some weight, you need to lose some weight. Sure genetics play a part, but it is hard to not lose weight when your intake is less than your use.
One of my relatives had her stomach stapled, and just didn't follow the diet afterwards. She lost a good bit of weight, but there wasn't definitely more that could have come off. She used to talk about losing X amount of weight, not through any measurement, she could just "feel it". Then she has the nerve to always comment on how skinny I am in a disapproving way. Grinds my gears endlessly. I did put some weight (insulation as I like to think of it, it gets cold here) on over the winter, and she still goes on about it. The dichotomy and doublethink involved is mind-boggling.
@Ron Love this post. I hate people who can't take responsibility to look after themselves, then expect to be cared for when they ruin their bodies. As you say, there are those who are going to have a hard time controlling their weight because of genes, but the vast majority of obese people have no good excuse.
Then again, all I see is a Velominatus with an awesome blue headtube climbing like a Master, with some guy on a wooden thing in the back ground.
(Relax, I'm have been confirmed and I was raised Roman Catholic.)
@Ron, DerHoggz, Fins and anyone... This article is worth a read. A doctor working in an obesity clinic basically asking very similar questions among other insights. Very well written too IMHO.
http://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2013/march/1361848247/karen-hitchcock/fat-city
@The Engine At least it isn't Being Hit On The Head lessons.
@Jamie
No. They can just succeed differently.
@Brett
Excellent article, my friend.
The quality articles published by @Brett and @Kah this month makes me proud to be part of the Welliminati. And yes, I am also obsessed with cycling.
@xyxax "I've heard a lot of stories and the only ones that get tiresome are those that are dishonest."
+1
Thanks for this. I've recently completed my first full year on the bike. Logged just over 17,000 km, and I must admit that the bike, and this community, have very likely saved my life. I don't post very often, but I read everything you guys write, every day. The inspiration gets me off my ass and on the road, even on those days when I think it's the last thing I want to do.
I don't know anybody these days who doesn't have a stressful job. I know I do, and I love everything about it. The problem is that I'm kind of addicted to the stress. Over the course of 2011, I wound up in the cardiac unit three times. Symptoms always the same: extreme tachycardia and dangerously high blood pressure. I went through all of the tests they give and was told by the specialists that my heart muscle was extremely healthy and functioning normally. Fortunately, my GP is a good friend (makes the prostate and hernia exams a little strange), and, knowing what my professional life is like, took the time to sit me down for some straight talk, which included the phrase, "you have to make some changes or you WILL DIE." Hearing that at 42, will get your attention.
I knew that I had to get myself out of the office at a decent hour every day and commit myself to an exercise program that would reduce the physical impact of the stress. I thought I would go back to swimming, having been a mildly successful competitive swimmer when I was younger. Funny thing about swimming: staring at a black tile stripe for hours on end doesn't occupy your mind very well. I found that I was spending that time thinking about work and leaving the pool just as spun up as I was when I got there, if not more.
Fortunately, another good friend intervened and gave me a very generous gift certificate to my LBS for my birthday. More importantly, he took the time to call the owner and explain my situation. They hooked me up and I haven't looked back. I must say here that I'm well aware just how fortunate I am to have such great friends, and I try my best to be worthy.
The greatest thing about riding, as far as I'm concerned, is that I have to PAY ATTENTION. If I drift off and start thinking about work, I'm very liable to hurt myself or someone else. Riding doesn't get me out of my head as much as it keeps me in the moment. It sounds very obvious and simplistic, but this has been a real revelation for me.
Am I addicted? No. I'm not powerless over the bike, although the VMH might disagree. But it has become an integral component of my identity and my daily life. I wouldn't have it any other way. This December will mark two years since my last visit to the ER (knock wood). Everything about my life is better, and at the risk of sounding like a total sap, all of you crazy fuckers have, unwittingly, played a huge role in that transformation.
Thanks, and sorry for the length. Been wanting to get that off my chest for a while, and Brett's spot-on post finally pushed me over the edge.
VlVV!
@wiscot
I had the same happen a few years ago (dad, relationship, work upheaval) and poured a lot of ugly energy out on the bike. With the benefit of hindsight a few things I did at that time helped, a lot didn't, but the bike was one of the great ones. Recreational substances definitely occupied a lot of space there as attempts at self medicating but really, I only discovered how self destructive that period was after. Throughout this time Bretto was a good mate even with hilariously bad attempts at picking up women (be careful about going to craft beer bars with vegetarians who drop their guts then get you to go break the ice with women a few metres away who are near to gagging). Dunno where I'm going with this, life's rich tapestry I guess but it's good to have folk like Brett around from time to time.
BTW, Bretto, what the fuck is that thing on your head?
What is this business about it being a "good" addiction ? Yeah yeah - all the parts about actually riding are good. The feel of the open road, the smell of a country road in the morning...
But the addiction? - the framesets !!!! The clothing !!!! The tools !!! the bits, the wheels, the "spares" the porn websites (Comp.Cyc. et al especially the page where you can specify your fantasy). Did I say the tools ? There should be a rule 12.1. A man has never enough tools.
I have to go to work now.