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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Tell you what I see, doper, not sure, doper, don't know, doper.
Otherwise, outside of looking like crap, those old Giro's worked well in a crash (assuming the cloth covering didn't decelerate your head faster than your neck/the rest of you when sliding on Tarmac).
Fuck me, what a photo. Makes me think of an early '60's pic of the Rolling Stones. About as much drug use between the two groups as well. Wonder what they would do differently, if anything, if they could go back now. I was 17 in 1989 and racing my Cannondale with all 105 Groupsan all over New England and Upstate NY. Used to see these guys at races but I was only a Cat 3. Never actually raced against any of them. Surprised Father Phinney is not there. Had Hamilton made the transition from skiing yet in 1989? Used to see him at races as well during early college years. Great photo.
@Ccos
I keep a mashed Giro helmet just like that one in my "Collection of Mashed Helmets That Have Saved My Life" collection. All I can say is that it worked.
Still have some Oakley Factory Pilots in a fetching shade of blue...
Is Armstrong running those road gripshifters?
I like that last line. A lot!
Two things:
- the encapsulation of youth. I live very close to a major U.S. university. Undergrads live in my neighborhood, including directly across the block. I was coming in from running my dogs via bike on Saturday. Two sorority gals were arriving for a Halloween party, parking right in front of my house. I rode onto the sidewalk, a few feet from them, as it was getting dark, with two good sized dogs. I said hello. Nothing. I said hello again, nothing. Finally I just said, "Well, I guess I'm not going to get a hello out of you two." They kind of looked in my direction and walked away. I've been young, so I get it, but fuck. How strange to just ignore a human, with two dogs, who is heading right for you. Ah, kids.
- Just started a new job. For a few years I've been in grad school. The switch from academia to a 9-5 office is a big one. I've done it before, but I've forgotten some of the things that change. Just a very different approach to life/thinking/working. Go work tirelessly on a big book report (I'm finish a humanities dissertation) that only a few folks will read vs. Bottom Line. Did we make money today? Very different than, "Oh why, what an exciting argument!"
As much as it seems attractive to be a PRO, I'm happy to ride a bike for fun and work for a living.
Not surprised to see that Dr Phil went down to the start line to add to the narcissism.
I can certainly forgive the helmets as this was 1989, but for fuck's sake, who was responsible (or irresponsible) for that kit design? And why doesn't Pharmy have to wear team shorts?
Love that last line. Well said!
Being relatively new to the sport it seems remarkable to me that in 1989 they were still riding steel with downtube shifters. Those Huffy's looks pretty sweet.