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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@PeakInTwoYears
Wouldn't that be "wasted" not waisted? Insert emoticon.
I used to ride with some older guys, one of who leaned toward evangelism. One day he brought a friend with who was studying theology and had a serious clean bike obsession.
This future theologist asked my buddy Tim "Are you religious?"
Tim answered without hesitating "I'm religious about my bike".
The clean theologist didn't come on any more rides with us.
@ElHardeen
Wow. Incredible story.
Having been an endurance athlete for as long as I can remember, I skipped all the school parties in favor of training or, when joining them, drinking juice because I didn't even want to drink soda. Even though I had my first beer with my dad around the age of 5 or 6, I'm guessing, and was freely allowed to drink at the house (so long as I stayed at the house and poured my own drinks - "you have to know how much you're drinking, don't let anyone pour for you", my dad used to advise me.)
But the biggest lesson I was taught by this experience was the high I'd feel at the end of a 10, 11, 12 hour workout - just destroyed - and over the moon. My dad, feeling the same buzz, used to tell me that the quality of an earned high is worth a thousand cheap highs you get from drugs or booze.
I like to drink, and I love getting a good buzz. But the fact is, I just like the taste of good beer, wine, scotch or the odd martini or margarita. The buzz is a side effect that I enjoy but its not why I drink. And, the best buzz in the world is have as good as that high you get after a good long ride. A high which lasts, by the way, for a few days and even weeks, months, or years later, you'll still think back on those best days and get a little high again.
@wiscot
Thank you for noticing. I'm here all week.
@ElHardeen Very eye opening sir.
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I took a women MTBing as a first date. Well, date #2 is tomorrow. The bike is truly amazing indedd.
@RedRanger
Maybe on the 3rd date, you can bust out this:
@scaler911 by the 3rd date I hope to be busting out something else, and it wont be bike related.
@scaler911
Jesus H Christ.
Thanks be for the kickstand.
@Sandy154
I have to say, as the founder of this heap, it makes me really happy to see people share their experiences. This helps others grow and feel commeraderie. I call this thing a community, and I'm proud to say one of the things that sets us apart from other cycling sites is this characteristic, and the nothion that we don't sit around talking about what kind of bolt is the lightest and will make us fastest.
Its all about the bike, but life fits in there somewhere, too. You might be at the wrong site if this doesn't appeal to you. And that's not an affront or judgement.