I envy my dog. There is nothing in her life that can not be immediately obtained that she bothers herself with; she is a perfect example of the happiness to be found through living in the moment, unclouded by dreams or goals. This is the embodiment of one aspect of what I seek from Cycling: freedom from external pressures via total inward focus on the now.
While I envy her, I pity her for this same reason; she will never know the beauty of cultivating a dream, nor the satisfaction to be found in achieving a goal, which is something else I seek from Cycling.
Her combination of focus and absent-mindedness inspires me. She has no limit to her desire to show me her favorite orange ball, or her insistence on helping me notice that she’s laid it in my lap. I can get up and move to another chair, and she will helpfully carry the ball over for me, noting that I neglected to bring it myself. Should something more important demand on her attention – say, the mailman arriving at the door (who requires a session of being barked at), or the appearance of food in her dish – the ball will be forgotten in totality. Later in the day, she will serendipitously reencounter the ball and delight afresh in its limitless bounties.
The changing of the seasons gives me this same gift; with each season I rediscover the beauty of our sport in new ways; riding through a fiery tunnel of changing leaves, the damp earthy smell of a winter’s training ride, the freedom of riding without arm, knee, and shoe covers on a warm spring day, or the glory of riding in the baking summer sun. Each arrives with the welcome of a long-lost friend.
I imagine that everything I need to know in order to become a Directeur Sportif, should the need arise, I have learned from raising dogs. For instance, loyalty is earned, not deserved. Further, loyalty and intelligence are more important than size, strength or talent. Managing a rider in a breakaway, assuming it is a US or Aussie team, the same principles apply as walking a dog on a lead; you prevent them pulling by any means necessary.
As for tolerating doping or other shenanigans within the team, even a dog instinctively knows never to shit where it sleeps.
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@harminator
yeah yeah I know....we faboo fans are sore losers with long memories. It was smart racing still Franks point is valid. Show me an Aussie who rides off the front and I'll show you a half German.
After I think a solid month of sun and perfect temperatures, fall has arrived with the tail end of tropical storm Cathy's (that's the name, right?) giving us rain for over a week now. Can't complain though, it was good while it lasted and change is also good. Plus I don't mind cool weather and rain.
We have one long haired cat and that dude consistently smells incredible because he spends all day lounging in fallen leaves. Always a nice break from work when he jumps on my desk and whisks his tail in my face.
Hanging on to the final few pages of "Half Man, Half Machine." Ha, I love how many times the Prophet drove his DS bonkers by going on suicidal breaks when it was completely not necessary. Heck, he had to express himself and display his gift; I love that explanation for why he rode with such sheer V every single damn race.
@paolo
OK, I'll bite - Adam Hansen, Stage 7 2013 Giro.
@Marcus
And O'Grady in the '07 Roubaix.
Ok, so name FOUR Aussies who've ridden off the front. You can't because we just named all three who have managed it.
Americans are not much better. We seem to confuse racing with the game of Hide and Seek.
@paolo
Oh, you know I'm with you.
@harminator
If anyone but Fabs was pulling, they would have been caught, no question. When Simon went to the front, the gap dropped measurably. Due to that fact, it has been scientifically proven that you are dramatically overstating the amount Simon worked. It was closer to 1%. Any more and they'd have been reeled in.
Wankers.
But to get back the point, what is it, exactly, that you think his DS (Allan Pieper?) was hollering in his ear? "DON'T PULL! DON'T PULL!" Its the same story when I walk my puppy.
@minion
You are a scholar and a gentleman.
@frank
Oh wait, soon you are going to talk about panache again.
I wasnt disagreeing with your little joke - I was merely replying to Paolo's comment:
But to add a few more big Aussie victories "off the front":
Neil Stephens 1997 Tour de France (albeit a somewhat tarnished victory).
Dave McKenzie Stage 7 2000 Giro - a true suicide break.
I think a certain World Champ (who loves dogs) won that race by riding off the front with about 10k to go. And who was in that front group? Cancellara! Admittedly his presence served to dissuade the other chasers.
Brad McGee 2002 Tour stage win - into Avranches?
You want more?
@Marcus
Yes! Keep it coming, you twat. You listing one name every few years is serving very nicely to prove the point I wasn't trying to make.
@atomicmanatee
Here's our pack on the day we brought home the pup in the story; two old dogs and a youngster. 47 IQ points between the lot of them, but nevertheless the young one learned "Stay out of the kitchen, you little fucker!" on the first try.
The Dane considers small dogs "Treats on Feet".