There’s no doubt I live La Vie Velominatus. Sometimes I think I live it maybe a little too much, as I’ve been told by independent observers that bicycles and all associated with them dominates my very existence. And it’s true; I work in the industry, dividing my time between editing Spoke magazine, writing (not nearly enough lately) here, and a couple of days a week in the shop. Whenever there’s a spare moment, it’s usually spent surfing the web, and nine out of ten sites I’ll view are in some way bike related. To end the day I’ll settle down with a book or a magazine in bed. No need to tell you the subject matter. (It’s not porn… really.)
Is this healthy? Cycling is by definition a healthy activity, but when one becomes all-consumed by a solitary pursuit, it can be seen as unhealthy in itself. An addiction. Addictions are usually construed as being bad things, but surely an addiction to something so pure can’t be harmful?
Well, not if you aren’t actually riding. If the only link to cycling is from sitting in front of a computer, writing about riding, reading other’s articles about riding, and making a magazine about riding, all to the detriment of actually getting on a bike and doing it, that takes its toll, both mentally and physically.
It’s a Catch 22 situation. You don’t ride, and you lose fitness. And when you lose fitness, riding becomes harder. So you shy away from hard rides. Consequently, you lose even more fitness. Then you get to the point when you say fuck it, and just get your ass on the bike. You ride with your usual crew, you lag on the hills, but you feel stronger the farther you go, drawing on the energy from the simple act of being out, turning the legs and breathing fresh air into the lungs. You get caught up in the little sprints and KOMs, and find you still have something in the tank. Deep, buried reserves forged from la vie. You finish the ride feeling rejuvenated, tired but refreshed. You vow to ride again tomorrow. But there’s a deadline to meet, proofing to be done, a last mintute article to write. Life gets in the way. And so it goes.
I know. I have ridden my bikes probably on average twice a week for the last six weeks. I was supposed to be doing a race this weekend. I’m glad I’m not. The principle reason for not doing it was money, the very coin I’d spent on getting a bike to race on conspired against actually racing. That, coupled with a grand in dentist fees, a visit from an Aussie friend which helped drain the bank account, then an ensuing illness and my race fitness, which was well on track those six weeks ago, has now all but disappeared in a cloud of debt and lethargy.
Yep, life gets in the way of having a life. A life of riding. But I still have a life of cycling, it’s just being lived through other means right now. And that’s better than not having a life at all. I will be back. Vive la vie Velominatus.
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Love that photo. Looks the Prophet is saying, "Really? Really??? Shut the fuck up and go ride for Chrissakes."
That being said, Man, I hear you. Struggling to get 3 to 4 rides a week in now with full time work and the family.
But, life is great and I'll take what I can get!
Great write up.
I've been blessed in many ways - a wife that doesn't want to be one of those "LFYW" wives and she supports my riding/racing. I also have a job that is low stress and I pretty much come and go as I please. According to our CEO "as long as you don't burn the place down" I pretty much have Carte Blanche. This means that when the weather is awesome I can say "See you later." I have the freedom to ride as much as I want. But I still need to be balanced and not abuse or take for granted this blessing. I think balance is a good thing. ANYTHING in excess is going to lead to problems somewhere.
But the beauty of cycling is that it offers enough of new scenery, new challenges, new equipment, new friends, etc. that it can be the sole (extra curricular) activity in your life and doesn't leave you wanting something else. I used to be big into paintball. I think I've went ballin' once since I got my Cannondale about five years ago. In fact I just gave some kids at my church all my paintball stuff. I used to be a snobby audiophile snob too but now I got an amp I bought from WalMart in my truck because anything more than the $99 I spent for it would have taken away money toward the Castelli Nanoflex knee warmers I got my eye on. My TV actually has a picture tube because if I had to choose between a Flat Screen and a new chain and cassette the choice is easy.
Buy through it all I keep in mind that there are other people affected by my riding - this past Sunday I had to choose between going for a scheduled ride with friends or meeting up with my pastor and his 12 year old single malt whiskey for a toast to my best friend's new daughter. I chose he Balvenie. But the cool thing is that because I chose rightly in regards to priorities things worked out so that I got to riding later with one of the local Hammergurls.
"Balance, Weedhopper."
Insightful, and as others have commented, all too familiar. I too have a love affair with my bike. It makes me feel good when I am on it, and to paraphrase, even a bad day on the bike is better than a good day at the office.
The comment about reading about bikes is well taken as well. Most of my most visited web sites are bike porn. I susbscribe to a couple print editions. Maybe that's why I am so attracted to this site - the bike and its history is a story of art and beauty that is mostly untold but to a few. The Keepers extoll all that is Right and Proper amongst the gears, shiny bits, roads, trail, sweat and panache.
My bike is one of my prized posessions, and adore looking at it and think I look like a fookin' rock star on it. I really enjoy watching the view go by as I push the pedals. And like any cyclist, I am more than a little obsessive about my weight.
But I am not a racer. Except when there is someone in front of me or a clock on my bars. I did one crit one time. After a few laps I realized I was scared shitless, and a hazard to myself and 20 other people. Sat up, and enjoyed letting them lap me a few times. Ya know what? The peloton stinks. Literally. And I never went back.
I don't need more bike shit. I need more time to ride my bike. Living in Seattle, this is a challenge between November (now) and next spring (April). I won't ride in the rain or in the dark. This is how I mitigate my risk. People get killed doing this stuff, and while I love it, that isn't how I want to go. Meaning between Nov and April, I'm a weekend warrior, most of which are beset with rain. Still, I got my 2000 miles in during 2011. Hope to up that in 2012.
La vie velominatus.
Eddy= Bryan Ferry.
That's not Life getting in your eyes, maing, it is smoke. Ride your bike.
you hit something on the head here that i've been thinking about for a long long time, except i'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. Everyone telling me to 'earn some money' yet all i'm doing and have been doing for the last 16months is checking the weather in a morning so i can ride. Averaging 230miles perweek in the Peak District. Fuck em i say, i've got all the time in the world to earn a living, just completely obsessed with the bike at the minute but i'm feeling unstoppable.
This is a great thread and brings out the best in the Velominati in that it's honest, thoughtful and respectful. I have three big things in my life: my job, my girlfriend and my bike. The first two understand why the bike is so important and that I NEED to ride or the other two suffer. I squeeze in as much riding as I can (I'm leaving two hours early today after a few 14-15 hour days in the last week. Guess what, it's so I can get a decent ride in before it gets dark). Am I obsessed with the bike? Yup. Does the weather matter on days I don't plan to ride? Nope. Do I try and get as many miles in as possible/ Yes. (And I know it's about quality than quantity, but here in WI sometimes "quality" is a subjective term: is riding in 25 degrees in February "quality" - I tend to think so.)
We are united by a common love/obsession. While life does get in the way, I think that's the underlying point - it gets in the way of what we really want to do.
As Cyclops said: balance is a good thing. Past are the days of hard racing and h24 thinking about cycling, you can do that only when you are young, very young. At my age I try to have a more complete life as long I can train 4 times a week!
@Cyclops
he said ballin'
@Gianni
Remember, we're trying to encourage more females to post.
For me, the past year has brought three major life changes. Marriage, new baby, and building a house. Thankfully, the VMH knows what cycling means to me and supports me slipping away for a few hours here and a long weekend there. The amount I rode this summer compared to last though is pathetic. But at least I can say work wasn't what prevented me from riding.