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.
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@Buck Rogers
Scary stuff. Good to hear do don't got no gonoherpaids.
@All
Speaking of events and consdering my dismal form right now, I decided to set my self a small target with a sportive in Blighty. I am going to be doing the Epic course so should be a nice little ride and if anyone else is going to be doing this let me know.
South Downs Sportive
@Cyclops
Yeah, the test for the gonorra-herpi-sphylitis is so far negative as well. :)
Just cannot be too careful, esp in non-insured trauma types here in the city.
@Buck Rogers
Bloody hell, happy for you about the results so far and I hope that the same is to be said of the Hep C.
@huffalotpuffalot
Thanks man.
"Small target" eh, definitely sounds EPIC! That sounds awesome! Cannot wait to hear how it goes! Better start logging some serious K's as that sounds like it will be a real ride!
@Buck Rogers
aye laying down a couple of hours every afternoon and then proper runs on weekends. Its just getting back into the routine really. I have been really amazed how good the recovery drinks. I am using SIS at the moment and was a bit dubious about how much difference they would make but after trying them I have really noticed it.
Will definitely let everyone know how it goes and will even try and get a couple of pictures if I can remember.
Late to the discussion, but this article and the posts are very timely (and amazingly apt, eloquent and inspiring) for me indeed.
I haven't touched a bike for ten days, and it feels like my mind and body are being deprived of some sort of life-force, and energy and clarity is being slowly drained from me. It's the old 'life getting in the way', but riding is a part of my life that really dictates everything else in it. My job(s) is cycling related, so it's ironic that cycling is preventing me cycling in a paradoxical way. I'm sat at a computer putting together a magazine that celebrates the freedom that riding brings, yet that very act is preventing the act that I'm portraying to the audience.
And I know that when I ride again, the pain that I feel in my legs and lungs will wash away the pain in my mind and my heart that has built up and clouded my very being.
It's time to escape.
@huffalotpuffalot
Looks like a fine day out - I did a couple of runs down that neck of the woods through the South Downs a few weeks ago whilst sailing Hamble - mind you, I would struggle not to stop in every other village for a pint in one of those delightful little English village pubs - got a bit pissed on one of the 30 mile runs after two such stops!
@frank
Is this not your job?
Maybe one for the "favourite rides" page, would be the mentioned idea to have a register, as suggested, not for discussion, of rides/ trips that Velominati are doing, that they feel others might wish to join if riding/travelling in the vicinity, so folk have a contact to liaise with??
@brett
Amazing just how shit the guns and lungs feel after a short lay off - first day on bike today for a week - decided to batter the hills and frig me, did I struggle - but then on the fourth climb at about 20km and 450m upness done, they started to sing like a well oiled Pavarotti, I guess the Voluptia appeared - Merckx I felt strong - such a relief - I've had a shit week so far, albeit I haven't been shared the body fluids of dodgy Mexican Scratchback, but for that time nothing mattered - cheap and completely legal Mary Joanna
@brett
How do you do that when you WORK IN A FUCKEN BIKE SHOP!?!?!?!?!?!?! I dare you to show Kahuna this post.
@drsoul
Loads of stuff going on with them - sounds like mostly pleasure, with moderate level suffering, but with degree of luxury - nice