I'm here but I'm really gone

Compared to the mighty Tourmalet, every ride in Britain is minuscule. So you have to dig deep, and focus on the ascent. I'm barely ready for Thursday, no edit that, I've not even started to be ready. Although I did test out my new saddle and bar bags today. Not quite Audax proportions but heading in that direction. However, sometimes you have to compromise on beauty and authenticity, just to have a small modicum of practicality.

http://www.thecyclingmayor.com/?m=201108
Skip has done a great blog as usual, but I wanted to compare cycling to the best philosophy on the planet. Bar none.


The truth of suffering

Riding, true riding, like life is suffering. If it isn't you are just not trying hard enough. Do you want to play small and cycle on old railway lines all your life, and say it's the right thing for you? Dress it up how you like.

The truth of the cause of suffering

Obviously not training hard enough, or worse, not having a road bike and lycra. We passed lots of people on bikes today, and some of them were actually smiling!!!!! But they were not cyclists, they were "leisure riders". Cycle fascism? Maybe. But you know I'm right. At least MTB are really pushing themselves, but the rest of you? Electric motors on a bike? Who are you trying to kid?

The cause of all proper suffering is attachment to the idea that cycling is easy. It isn't, nor should it be. Faster remember?

The truth of the cessation of suffering

When you let go of the idea that you are invulnerable, and that you must continue to be vulnerable to be human, despite those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers, (sorry wrong genre), when you know that hill will hurt, when you know you will crash one day, when you know and look forward to the idea that you will be cold, hot, wet, dirty, and long for more of it, then suffering is at an end.

Freedom from suffering

Is only possible by following the eightfold noble path:

Ultegra
SL cleats
Bib shorts
Jawbones
Compacts
Carbon
23
Friends

Yes friends are everything in this as in all things. Know who they are, give all that you can to them (including your special pound coin so that they can have a cup of coffee because the cafe doesn't take cards. Share the hurt, the detachment and the truth of it all, and go back for more. Never, ever trust someone who doesn't know the contemporary music from their generation, it shows they have no soul. Likewise if someone keeps their food for themselves, when the others are struggling to get up a hill, what does it say about them? When I put my hand in my pocket, take out a gel or a bar, I hope I'll offer it to someone else first, before troughing it myself.

I woke early this morning, my mind full of my life's crap. But safe in the knowledge of my family, and the truth of today's ride, next weekend's rides, the sportives where people have offered me their wheel, wanting nothing in return, knowing I would do the same for them. See vulnerability, and you have a choice, be the Cannibal (who let's face it, didn't really end up all that well did he?) or be a friend.

So know who your friends are, who will drop you when the gradient goes above 8%, and who will give you a tow. And yes in case you are wondering, I think Skip did most of the work today. She says she was tired, but it didn't show, she was like a coiled spring right from the off.

Charlie malfunctioned unfortunately (don't worry Endurotorq, he'll be fine by Friday), so here is today's route:
http://ridewithgps.com/users/30887
 
And apropos of nothing, don't trust anyone who says that the riots are anything other than a very complex phenomenon, with deep and multiple cultural and societal causes. Anyone that says different is either a politician, stupid or a Daily Mail reader. Although I accept that these groups are highly similar.