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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@antihero
Interesting how our own experience informs our assumptions, isn't it? Clearly you have neither the skill nor the wherewithal to take photos while climbing.
@unversio
They are not Rotundos; they are ttt old stock somethingorothers that have the Merckx bend, positioned level.
@extra special and bitter
I don't know about others, but I hate him because he's such a douchebag. Not for his doping or for loving Tri, though it doesn't make the case any stronger.
@girl
I agree. Its very tiring.
There are douchebags in all sports. I can't say there is a greater than average incidence in the Tri world, but maybe I'm biased.
The question as to whether a tri is tougher or easier than a crit is irrelevant - it all depends on how much V the athlete is willing to lay down.
One of the Brownlee brothers collapsed yards from the end of the race a few years ago and could not get over the line. Now either you can say HTFU, or you can say that he totally drained the V bank and merely got the timing wrong!
End of Tri support - back to normal service.
DAvid
@frank
I assumed the douche-baggery came from the tri-background, but I guess they just went hand in hand.
@frank Sorry man, but it's not my fault. A Try-wad made me do it!
@wiscot
An amusing one of these I experienced last summer was a guy probably half my age in a sportive with TT bars, aero-helmet and polka dot jersey. He must also have been doing the short route as I passed him twice, ironically both times going uphill.
@Buck Rogers
Come on guys (and gals) if it wasn't for @Bret ranting about the length of posts (and lack of pictures) and @Buck Rogers just ranting this place would be lacking a certain je ne sais pas.
@Teocalli Ha! You know, they've offered me meds multiple times but I just keep figuring what a boring place my world would be on them and also how boring it would be for all those poor Bastards that have to share it with me!
@Teocalli
Yeah, there should be some kind of law, not just a rule, but a law, about wearing an aero helmet unless you are actually competing in a race.
Back in my racing days I wore one of the early Cinelli aero helmets when racing, but NEVER when not racing. That would have been too ludicrous to contemplate.
@frank
Just recently learned that Rotundos are considered a shallow round bend. What you are saying is that these are a deep bend -- Merckx 158mm drop. Thanx