If I were a pessimist, or a realist for that matter, I wonder if I might have started any of the various activities which have brought me the most pleasure and satisfaction. Though I have Cycling in my mind when I make that statement, this principle expands beyond the vast and il-defined borders of La Vie Velominatus: everything worth doing takes time, work, and commitment in equal measure, and that fact can be daunting and intimidating.
Invariably, it is my poor estimation of effort combined with my vague memory of pain and discomfort which affords me the greatest character trait I possess: optimism. In the face of all reasonable likelihood of failure, in spite of the hopeless amount of work something might prove to be, I invariably believe that success is not only possible, but inevitable. (This trait might also be classified as arrogance or stupidity, but I don’t like the sounds of those as much because they would require more introspection, and that sounds like work.)
It is with this frame of mind that I cheerfully tackle most any activity, in my life and on the bicycle. While I haven’t conducted a poll of any kind, I have informally received sufficient unsolicited and often shouted feedback to allow me to surmise that this approach is not always as liberating for those participating in the activity as it is for me. Be that as it may, and as has oft been observed in these archives, our chosen sport is one rife with suffering afforded by long days in the saddle which allow us to suffer more intensely and for longer days in the saddle in the future. Every element of this sport revolves about axes of sacrifice, dedication, and patience. Training, certainly. Diet and weight loss as well. Even learning the subtleties of maintaining our equipment properly takes years in the tutelage of a Cycling Sensei. These are long journeys that build on small gains over time; there is no magic potion that one can imbibe to be transformed from portly oaf into elite cyclist – much less so a Velominatus.
If, on a winter morning, I had the slightest appreciation of the intensity of the cold I would feel eight or ten hours into the ride, I might never set out on it; it is my optimism that I will enjoy the ride that allows me to experience the insular nothingness of The Tunnel.
If, as I point my bicycle towards the hills instead of the plains, I had a clear memory of the suffering it caused me previously, I might never become a better climber; it is my optimism that I can overcome my size and weight to master the terrain I love the most and am comprehensively il-suited to travel.
If, at eight years old, I’d had the slightest idea that I would be almost 30 years into my journey and only just beginning to develop some of the most rudimentary elements of experience, strength, knowledge and passion that Cycling delivers to us, I would perhaps never had started. Yet it was my optimism that these things would come that has allowed me to experience this wonderful journey.
Optimism is what allows the mortal to start down the path laid by the immortal. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@Chris
That kayaker looks comprehensively fucked.
@scaler911
I was actually talking about last weekend, when @snowgeek and @snowgeekgirl swung by after a rigatta on Whidbey Island (I'm guessing that's another violation, but we'll let it fly because they brought their bikes) and if that was you who's legs I was rubbing...well...I have to say, the cross-dressing is working.
@Steampunk
Fantastic quote. And yes, patience, Pedalwan. When I've been off the bike for a bit, I like to point the bike towards the rollers for several days as I get back into it - and I wait for the natural inclination of my legs to start pushing it on the hills before getting back into any kind of focussed training.
@Ali McKee
Yes.
@meursault
Its funny how true that is. And you can't start halfway up: start at the base or else you'll be in debt from the start of the climb. Long, deep breaths in rhythm with your pedal revs (every other or every third, etc, whatever works for you) and don't let up on it. Don't go shallow like you want to, just keep going long, slow, and deep.
I will leave it to @Minion to come up with some sort of analogy to sex for this.
@Dr C
I'm no doc, but just by making observations, you see a lot more older people on bikes than older people out running. Seems the only people who keep running into their aging years are the super whispy ones, which with cycling and swimming (non-impact sports) they manage to keep it up well into their 70's, 80's and even 90's.
Maybe it comes down to being waify and using good technique to limit damage on the bones. Either way, I fucking hate running.
@frank
@Dr C
@tessar
I've heard that unless you do some sort of other exercise, cycling does fuck-all for bone density and can cause problems down the line if "all" you do is cycle, since you lose bone density as you age. Weight lifting or other cross training is supposed to help keep bone density stable.
wow, great thoughts everyone.
I probably would find myself subscribing to the Oli school of thought on this one, but Frank, you have struck a cord on something here.
In psychology, there are some concepts that consider this difference in personality, the optimist/pessimist. It seems it goes to what you said in terms of optimism, but in a grander scale if i might add there is also the aspect that one who is 'optimistic' also has a limitless perspective on life too. They don't tend to see restrictions, limitations, and thus there are some legal application to this concept as well. Where this begins is up for arguement, but the converse is true as well, the 'pessimist/realist' tends to be one who see's limitations, are more bound by these restrictions and find safety in not exceeding them...now, where those limits are applied is up for arguement as well, but the distinctions are made.
For example, my most reverenced Gino Bartali, was constantly arguing, gripping, and stating 'thats it, we will have to start all over'. It seemed to be his favorite thing to say, as was my grandfathers, but Gino the pious was also a man of recognizing limits, restrictions and he followed them to the letter, to the point when Nazi facists invaded Italy he totally disregarded their influence and did what was right in a very humane way, and offered protection to countless many.
optimist/pessimist, there are places for all, and I would like to think it all centered upon our like passions of the bike
An anonymous rider on a ride said it best, if it were not for our suffering, we would never enjoy the good days
@mcsqueak
Thank you for not bringing up what you and your VMH walked in on at our back patio BBQ Saturday night. I probably couldn't stand the shit I'd get here.............
@frank
That kayaker is probably a proper cyclist who is trying to beat some sense into all those confused swimmers with his paddle.
@mcsqueak
he's popping moles