A great unknown awaits the young men, bound by a common entity of steel, flesh and passion rolled together. Do they contemplate the future, or are they so encapsulated in the here and now that anything beyond the finish line seems like it could only be for old people? Have they any inkling which path they will take, or be guided towards? Maybe the only thing on their mind is just how badass their eyewear is.
What ambition burns within, do they believe they will be, or even seek to be, a cycling superstar; which of them knows it? Maybe ambition isn’t considered, not part of the equation. The simple act of pedalling a bicycle may remain one of joy, of freedom, or become a mistress so harsh that she is eventually despised, and thrown aside, banished to but a bitter memory of a time better forgotten. Who will be remembered, and who will even want to remember?
When a pastime becomes a job a certain element, that of detachment, is lost forever. Making your passion your profession is fraught with risk, and the balance of work/play becomes ever more critical to cultivating satisfaction within, lest you be eternally damned to harming the very thing once loved more than anything else. Keeping things Casually Deliberate is a failsafe, a safety net below the trapeze on which the real world swings precariously.
Stay passionate. Rock cool shit and ride your bike like it’s your lover. Everything will be alright.
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@Gianni
Might have been a tad more entertaining had COTHO "confessed" to big Phil than Oprah. I think auld baldy would have called him out and, in a pinch, taken him down. Then he would have swanned offstage arm in arm with his wife leaving COTHO gasping for breath on his high chair. THAT would have been entertaining.
@Buck Rogers great rant, Buck!
@wiscot I hear you, man! I need a ride sooo bad right now! My 1430 patient cancelled so only 3 hours until I can ride!
Fuckin Triathletes. I know, and agree, that Tri's can be really hard but don't try to tell me that they are harder than a true sanctioned 100+ mile hilly road race for pure anaerobic pain. Bullshit! I have raced Tri's up through the Half IM distance, and yes, I was really dead at the end, but nothing like trying to hold a wheel after 65 miles of hills knowing that if you lose it, you are FUCKED and will be "racing" 35 miles for 23rd place. Nothing I have ever done compares to that moment and overall pain.
Pharmstrong just looks deliberate - no casual going on there.
Hit the road yesterday on the dt steel and Eyeshades, just for fun.
@Buck Rogers
This describes my Bluemountain century experience last month--except that I lost the wheel at the 35 mile mark and "raced" for the remaining 65. As you say, really dead is one thing--FUCKED is quite another. (I'm hesitant to say why I lost that wheel as it involves my Dutch heritage and a little OCD.)
@frank I am overdue to do this. Maybe this weekend I can break out the steel Merckx and roll for a bit.
@frank
More images of those Rotundos mounted ?? Specifically the wing section ??
@VeloVita
Another crime in the long rap sheet of US National jersey design - simultaneous offenses against the flag and cycling kit. One day someone will realize that less really is more.
@rfreese888
With Julich saying "Dude! Lighten up".