Daylight Savings always represents a turning point for my cycling season. In Fall, it represents leaving my season’s goals behind as I find once again the simple pleasure of riding my bike for the sake of riding my bike; the sensation of the rhythm, the hypnosis of rain dripping from my cycling cap’s brim, the cool air in my lungs, the indulgence in Rule #9. In Spring, like the bits of green beginning to appear on the tree branches and shrubs along the street, the ambition to start increasing the intensity of my training is beginning to bud. When I set my clock forward on Sunday, I knew the time had come.
The pleasure I found in riding with my objectives just at my back and a long winter stretching before me has been replaced by a desire to rediscover that strength in my legs that gives me the feeling that I can somehow control the pain of an intense effort. The sensation of Control Over Pain rests in my mind like the shadow of a dream which only becomes more vague the more I try to remember how it felt. Riding tempo on the climb up Interlaken Boulevard on Sunday did little to reassure me that such control has ever been within my grasp.
With Daylight Savings, my attitude turns from being glad that I got out on the bike to being disappointed if I didn’t. Objectives for the season are mapped out – whatever they may be – and a plan is formed around meeting them. At the start, the fitness I had the previous season seems unattainable. I have been working hard to get thin and fit, but the pain in my legs and burning in my lungs tells me otherwise when the road points upward.
Then, slowly, the sensations return. Almost without warning, I’ll find myself at the tight switchback before the steep section on one of my favorite climbs, and instead down-shifting as I exit the turn and hit the first of the ramps, I’ll find myself rising out of the saddle and pushing onward. Then, weeks later still, I’ll hit that same turn while still in the big ring. The power in my legs will feel good despite the pain flooding my senses.
The progression of fitness is something to look forward to. It takes work and sacrifice, but the rewards are palpable; the progression is along a scale of relative improvements, with each improvement a tangible gain over the last. And that is why I do it. That is why I start, for the objective is too far away and too abstract. I am spurred on by the momentum gained through incremental improvement much more than that of the goal itself. The goal is fleeting; once obtained, there is either the next or nothing. The progression towards the goal, however, represents the continuous evolution of the cyclist.
Today I struggle to translate these things I know to be true into how I feel when I struggle up a climb. But over time, by continuing to step out into the rain and climb aboard my bike, I will start to claw my way forward. And each year, the progression starts when I set my clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
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9AM and it is 40C (105F) in Pune, IN. Obviously am already done with my 50K ride for the day. Looking forward to that imperial burntury tomorrow. Here we get those warm and fussy kitten feelings frank is getting this week every September; finally when the monsoon recedes, hills turn all green and raceable. The good weather lasts from Late September to March. Last year rains lashed through Nov. Very slushy couple of months.
@Xyxax
You and me both! The weekend couldn't come soon enough!
I'm hearing both Brett and Minion. Kinda over summertime here. I love getting all base-layered, knee and arm-warmered (sometimes even a gilet). Having said that, most rides start in the pre-dawn dark(ish) 11 months of the year. Makes sunrise over the Pacific pretty spectacular
@Boni
Mate, I think you might be the first Velominatus hailing from India. I've not been to Pune, but I've been all over South India and I can confidently say to anyone who hasn't been: massive loads of Rule 5 required to brave even the traffic! Amazing! Well done, mate. You have arrived.
I remember one trip I took into the hill country of Tamil Nadu up to Ooty. The road just went up and up and up...I remember drooling over this climb; steep, twisty, feisty. After what seemed like a lifetime, we got to the pass, still covers in jungle. I asked the driver what elevation this pass was at, and he said, "3500m." Right.
The Galibier is 2600m and covered in snow in July. This pass was at 3500m and the jungle showed now signs of thinning. I wonder where the tree line is that close to the equator?
In any case, welcome, mate!
I've loved DST this year. Getting in 1.5 to 2 hours, getting home at sunset, around 7:30pm. It's about 26C. Light breeze. Getting my tan lines.
Gotta go back to early morning rides by May. I can't take five months of 35C with 80% humidity. I don't cotton to drowning and dehydrating all at the same time--too confusing.
@Boni
Welcome indeed! My firm just opened offices in Pune last year, I hope I get to visit soon.
Nice read Frank!
Just got my first ride of the season yesterday. Had to drive almost 400 miles and sneak it in between these west coast storms to get it, but it was worth it. The only thing that could have made it better was if those boys at Castelli had laid down a little more V themselves and gotten our order to us quicker. First ride of the season w/a new Velominati LS jersey would have been sheer poetry!
Oh well, a 400 mile return trip with 3 ft. waiting in the driveway upon my arrival. C'est la vie.
Have a frame that's waiting for funds to get painted then its the 8 speed winter work racer.
@frank: Ooty can be climbed in couple of ways. The climb you are describing ought to be the Kalahati Monster. It is one hell of a climb. Pune also is in general hilly and we like it that way. While I might be the first Velominatus that you noticed from India, I can assure you that HTFU is a way of life, and there is a large community out here who takes the rules very seriously. Thanks.
@sgt: Bring your bike when you come over; and do give me a hooller. http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/index.php, is a good place to track me down.
Well, to give another antipodean perspective on the upcoming winter - bring it on - cross season is about to start - get on it and stop whinging.
We've had such a shit summer in Melbourne I'm looking forward to winter.