Balance. It can be achieved by never deviating from the middle, or it can be achieved by violent swings to and fro. It is said, however, that the great peaks can’t be reached without crossing through deep valleys. Tragically, we were reminded today that our sport is one of great peaks and deep, deep valleys.
Cycling is a sport of risk and danger; the beauty and harmony of a speeding peloton masks the risks and dangers involved. Mountain descents see riders reach speeds of 80 or more kilometers per hour with little to protect them should something go wrong. Stars and watercarriers alike share in the risk; no one is immune.
You have to love this sport intensely to become a professional. The nature of road competition demands great sacrifice in every aspect of the athlete’s life; eat like birds, work like horses, and live like monks. Not only does a professional cyclist spend every waking moment focussed on their sport, but from January to October, they are away from their families as the race calendar carries them all over Europe and, increasingly, the world. This sacrifice is most often in the service of others, as the Stars are few and the Watercarriers many.
While only a few weeks ago we watched as one of these domestiques reached the pinacle of our sport by winning Paris-Roubaix, today we witnessed the tragic swing to the other end as Wouter Weylandt lost his life in the pursuit of his passion. We can be philosophical and say this man lived for his sport and died doing what he loved, but the fact of the matter is that his is a man who, at 26 years old, was in the prime of his life and that he died today is tragic beyond articulation.
As Velominati, we are disciples of cycling. Our lives revolve around cycling. At moments like these, it is unimaginable that life and sport will continue. It will, and we will again reach the peaks. But we breathe still, and our devotion cannot follow where others’ continue.
Today we walk through a valley and mourn as Velominati the tragic loss of a man who gave everything – everything – to his sport. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.
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@Steampunk
@Cyclops
As someone with a 2 week old daughter, these were my first thoughts as well. Holding her last night while watching the highlights on SBS, which tastefully didn't show the tragedy at all, I was reminded of the frailty of life. The thought that my child would/could never know me or I her, brought a tide of emotions to the surface. My wife asked what was wrong as she hadn't had a chance to watch the news all day. She too was saddened and looked at me with a worrying "may be you shouldn't cycle".
As frank has quite rightly mentioned,
"I think his memory is better served by us going out and being more cautious rather than taking this as some kind of sign to stop riding."
@all
I have been extremely touched by the genuine concern and thoughts being expressed by this community. This site continually amazes me. Grazie mille
Nice work, Steampunk.
Right on, Frank. Aside from the many, many thoughts I've had, the main one has been, Okay, it can happen to the BEST cyclists, so make sure you are careful at all times. You can't control everything, but this is a reminder to be a little bit extra cautious. Pay Attention At All Times, for sure.
I went out for 60 k today and was "back to racing." Not in the sense that I'd gotten over this at all, but in the sense that I'm still going to ride my bike. Definitely set a personal best up a local hill, thinking of Wouter, thinking about how much joy I get from just being out on a bicycle & how much I need to appreciate all rides, all of life.
I'm still so sad. I always think of myself as young (do we all?), but it pains me to know Wouter was three years younger than me and is gone forever. What a loss.
After I heard about the crash, I went to the bike shop that night to ask about a couple creaks I'd been hearing around the headset area and around the seatpost. I had checked for cracks and simple dirty bits to no avail. Fortunately, they were trivial and require a touch of cleaning and grease. My two primary rule violations are in the name of staying mortal for a bit longer. I'll take the occasionally questioning glances from other roadies, and then I'll ride them off my wheel.
Ron, you definitely win the Most Comments On A Tragedy In A Single Thread award. Good effort.
@Oli Brooke-White
HA!
Oli, ha, I know, I know...this event really has gotten me down.
But, holy cannoli! Today's stage is exactly what we need! Dust, dirt, climbing, slide outs. The timing of it is perfect, couldn't think of a better way to kick off the racing again.
Alright, I'll try to make this my last post, Oli:)
@all great article, comments, etc. thank you. A sad, sad day, but the response afterwards (no podium, no racing the next day, touching scenes by Millar in Maglia Rosa, Leopard Trek and Tyler at finish... and thought the Leopard website great), shows how great this sport is - both in the pro peloton, but also in the wider community. Proud to be a cyclist, and proud of all of you guys.... but feel for his young family.
I got up real early Tuesday morning to get the overnight Giro news and was shocked and saddened like all have been across the globe. It was a tough start to the day - only made better by a solid rouleur style hit-out (into the wind) with my cycling sensei and some good mates.
Since then the outpouring of emotion and grief has been astounding. I truly feel for Wouters family and friends.
RIP Wouter
The risks are there, though amazingly few pro cyclists die while doing what they do. So, when it happens - even more of a shock.
I have to admit to getting a little weepy watching his team cross the line on Stage 4...