No words survive here, only echoes. Echoes of our hopes, of our plans, of our failures. What we thought we might do when we came here is little more than a shadow; it flickers on the walls for a moment and when we turn to look, it is gone. Doubts swell up and bounce off the walls until they become so loud they can no longer be heard.
Once we’ve entered, we can not return the way we came; the only way out is to descend into the darkness and through to the other side. When we emerge, we will breathe a new life, one where we are able to push a bit harder, and suffer a bit more. It is a better world, one with opportunity. One where we can make things happen because we have discovered a new limit of our will.
Pushing deeper into The Cave is learned over time. When we first enter, we will find ourselves in a small cavern with no apparent exit. As we train and explore its darkest corners, we discover a passage. We gather our courage and slip into a larger, darker cavern to explore. Beyond that, there lies another. Each holds its own unique strain of suffering, but with it comes also a degree of control; the choice to enter is ours and ours alone.
When I’m strong, my mind yearns for the cleansing qualities of The Cave. I feel almost the master of my pain, that I command its ebbs and flows. Even on days that don’t require it, I will hurt myself just to prove I can. When I’m chasing my fitness, however, I approach it with the same reluctance I had as a child when made to eat my vegetables. The suffering flows over me in waves and I am at the mercy of its current.
My training this summer has been erratic and unstructured. I’ve had some great periods, and just as I’ve neared a goal, either illness or travel unexpectedly reared up before me and interrupted my progress. A week away from the bike means another two weeks before I find myself back to where I was. Two weeks of drifting like a leaf in the current. Two weeks of knowing what lies beyond, unable to reach it.
Then the breakthrough, and into the next cavern. It is only through contemplating the darkest corners of The Cave that we discover its deepest passages and it is within the deepest passages that we may discover our purest selves.
Have courage and follow the path into The Cave. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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Next year, the winner of Milan - san Remo is going to have to go deep in there, with this addition, Kelly would love it -
Pompeiana: Technical Details
3.5km after the descent of the Cipressa, the riders leave the Aurelia road and begin the start of the climb of the Pompeiana.
The climb, which is 5km long with an average gradient of 5% and a maximum of 14% at its steepest point, begins steadily at 6-7% before narrowing slightly, flattens and kicks with a very hard 500m section consisting of a pair left/right bends with a gradient between 10-14%.
A gradual slop follows on with a narrow track up to top of the climb, 20.7km from the finish, and then up to Castellaro. Here the twisty technical descent begins that takes the riders down to Arma di Taggia where the route re-joins the Aurelia and the historical race route. From here, there is just 4.4km of racing to be done before the start of the crucial Poggio climb.
Best plan for race day: Lead the bunch to the back of the pain cave then run off with the only flashlight.
@frank
Still the cigarettes and only really taking cycling seriously for the last couple of years are a decent excuse for being slow. Yours?
@unversio
As I have such limited experience to draw from.... one race..... I can agree with this.....
As is indicated by my ride data (yes, I break rule #74). I pushed myself harder than I ever have on my machine. And what about this refusal of my stomach to make room for a post race meal. Anybody else get that when they've pressed their limits?
This is your ticket into the cave that came with my 30yo steely I bought last year (Yes a 45/54) Haven't been game to put it on yet. Anyone got a set of 42/52 SR rings for sale?
@Fausto
That would be a great move, I would have to hope my battery gets me back out...
@il ciclista medio
Yeah, I was going to say the same thing about him looking fabulous and that if he's in the cave, he certainly isn't showing it.
I miss the cave. Been off the bike fo a few weeks working on my house in a frantic effort to get it on the market. Then back to the bike to different roads in a different locale to find new entrances to the cave!
@Teocalli
Just because you think you should be able to do something that I've told you on many occasions you can not does not mean there is a bug.
@Chris
I don't remember seeing you off the front in the Velodrome.
At least you're in good company.