One of the most magnificent things about Cycling is that not only does it represent different things to different people, it represents different things on different days. Some days, it’s training – a means to an end. Other days, it’s the culmination of a body of work; rather than a means to an end, it represents that end itself, whether that end is exhilarating or devastating. But these two facets represent Cycling only as Sport, the complex simplicity of the balance between dedication and results.
Cycling stands apart, however, in its many dimensions beyond Sport. For me, Cycling is meditation, a time to clear my mind of ancillary concerns and contemplate on those that require my focus. It is thoughtlessness, a time to eliminate everything through the simplicity of pain. It is simultaneously medication and therapy; even a short ride can shake a heavy lethargy from my bones and rejuvenate aching muscles and joints. It is simultaneously tension and release; Cycling can fill my being with effort, an effort that overflows my legs and lungs and spills over to fill every fiber of my being, flushing from me all those things I wish not to keep.
Cycling is penance for my mistakes; a few hours at the mercy of the Man with the Hammer can help me understand the error of my ways. It is cleansing of other’s mistakes – here the Man with the Hammer helps pound out the ripples in the surface of Life they cause me.
I am by no means a great man and never will be. But I am a better man for my bike, and for that I am eternally grateful to it.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@Dr C
Hey Brother. When are you going to be climbing it? My trip to France next year with my family in April looks like it will be pushed into June instead (HUGE BUMMER as I will miss seeing, and was going to try to ride the cyclo as well, Paris-Roubaix) as it conflicts with the kids school too much.
So now I am looking for something to ride in June in France. I am trying to take a day to see the Dauphine' and also do a cyclosportif or something like it.
Just curious as to your plans, which might help me plan something!
Thanks,
Buck
So very well said, Fronk.
Riding just sheds all of the bullshit and leaves the core.
It's my personal "reset" button.
Even my wife has finally come to the realization that some days, I just need to ride, for the sake of the family, if for nothing else!
@Buck Rogers
My wife also.
An unfortunate side effect of my cycling habit is that I become a grumpy whining brat when I miss out on a riding day. My mood becomes less than tolerable to my wife if I don't get at least an hour in every other day. It actually took some time for me to figure out why I was so damn pissy on occasion. No other sport has ever influenced me in such a manner.
@Dr C
Something I've planned from the beginning of Velominati is to provide wallpapers, but I've never gotten to it. Eventually I'll find a place to house these, but here are two wallpapers for you - the main photo from this article in full high-resolution, and scaled to the typical aspect ratio for modern displays. Also adding the photo I took from the top of Luz Ardiden that same day. What a magical day of riding that was...high up on these Pyrenean climbs, you're just up there in the clouds with only cattle for company. The eery effect of the sound of your wheels, breathing, and the clanging in the distance of a cowbell. Amazing.
Wallpapers: click the link below and right-click to save to your computer or, depending on your browser/computer you may have a "Set as Desktop" option.
le Col du Tourmalet
Luz Ardiden
Back when I was in high school I lost a close friend, my dad, and his dad all within two months. Even though I rode at the time, I was mostly a climber and went out bouldering almost every day. When I was on the rocks I found that quiet spot in my head that let me be at peace with the world. I find it now when I'm out on my bike. When I had my kidney out from cancer I threw myself into riding to a)get myself back into shape after the surgery and b)to get my head back into shape. Not being to ride for the last 4 months explains the crap mood I've been. Can't wait for this knee to finally get healed up so I can get out again without it swelling up in a short time.
Never get off the bike!
Great pictures but they should come with a warning. I set the Luz Ardiden as my wallpaper on my work computer. After 15 minutes, I realized I had a sudden bike ride emergency brewing. This day will definitely be cut short.
I read words like this and they are so familiar. I too feel the spirit of Merckx upon me as the pedals spin, as the wind swirls by. The more alone I can be with my suffering the more I feel in tune with the machine. it is easy to forget everything off the bike, and simply ponder the white line, wherein the answers to all great questions are found. Nicely said, Frank.
@frank
Thanks for the wallpapers. Boy, I want to tackle these climbs. It's amazing to think that normal folk can ride these legendary roads (no offense, Frank). I mean, not everyone can play at Boston Garden or Cowboy Stadium or Candlestick Park (yes, duly noted that all three of these professional stadiums are gone...I'm nostalgic..). But in cycling, we get to ride what they ride. Ain't that grand?
Have Tourmalet on your wall
Click on this to set the Col du Tourmalet on the wall of your bedroom rather than just your laptop!
I think I'll get that picture of Jens on the wall of my surgery - that'll get the message across!
@frank
Tourmalet on all my screens now thanks!
@Buck Rogers
we're going with GPM10 Buck, a supported group tour - a bit expensive at £1400, but you get to nail all the Pyrenean classic climbs in one week, and they carry your water and clothes in a spare car (come on guys, you don't expect us to do this without some assistance!) and this includes all hotels and food, plus bike strip and tune every day and two pro support riders - sadly we have to rub each others legs afterwards - I will of course be wearing my Witte Kitte!
Schedule
Day 1: Bayonne to Lanne-en-Barétous
Distance: 120km
Climbing: 1209m
Key climbs: Col d'Osquich (500m),12km at 2.9%
Day 2: Lanne-en-Barétous to Saint Savin
Distance: 98km
Climbing: 2138m
Key Climbs: Col de Marie Blanque (1035m), 9.5km at 7.5% - Col D'Aubisque (1709m), 16.6km at 7.2% - Col du Soulor (1474m), 2.1km at 5.5%
Day 3: Saint Savin to Bagneres de Luchon
Distance: 109km
Climbing: 3092m
Key climbs: Col du Tourmalet (2115m),19km at 7.4% - Col d'Aspin (1498m),12.8km at 5% - Col de Peyresourde (1569m),10km at 6.6%.
Day 4: Bagnères de Luchon to Garrabet
Distance: 135km
Climbing: 1800m
Key climbs: Col de Ares (797m), 8km at 4% - Col de Portet d'Aspet (1069m), 4.3km at 10.1% Col des Caougnous (947m from half way up Col de Port) - Col de Port (1250m),12.8km at 4.7%.
Day 5: Garrabet to Collioure
Distance: 192km
Climbing: 2056m
Key climbs: Col de Marmare (1361m), 11.5km at 4.5% - Col des Sept Frères (1253m), 5km at 2.3% (form Marmere), - Col d'Aussieres (1020m),10km at 5.4% - Col des Auzines (1506m), 3km at 3.5%.
June 20-26 planned....