TheGreenRabbit
Retrobike Rider
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What follows was writen in a hotel room durign the week after mountain mayhem when I could not sleep
Why do we do what we do ?
or random musings from the saddle.
I have been thinking about what drives people to ride/race mountain mayhem, either solo or as part of a team, I find it very difficult to separate cycling from any other sport when it comes to the endurance event. So if I offend any one I will apologise now.
In general endurance athletes are a funny lot, we do things that are unusual to the rest of the population, for a start men shave there legs, and we often spend more time on a bike than in a car, and that bike may very well be worth more the car.
The reasons we participate differ greatly from the man down the street, no one motivation is the right one, although those of a more altruistic or deeply personal nature appear to offer a more lasting reward.
Competition can be and is often considered petty and self obsessed when compared by some to the battle for survival that goes on day to day in many corners of the world, what ever peoples individual opinion, those of us who compete have a need to be met, and our involvement in this sport gives us a opportunity to meet that need.
We have all been stereotyped at some time in our lives, some more than others, rarely we are in a position to appreciate it, usually stereotype in carries a negative connotation, and we react accordingly, what do you say when some one calls you a ‘Nutter’ or ‘crazy’ for your penchant for mountain biking, would you take this as an affront to your mental health ?, being ‘crazy’ is generally not thought of as a healthy trait, or do you consider it a complement to your training and ability that they would put you in a class with usually reserved for habits a bit less redeeming than exercise.
Endurance events tend to attract highly motivated, confident people, with this confidence often comes with a over projection of the facts at times, in most cases this is OK, if you look at many of the success stories the individuals always appear to live with one foot in there experience and the other foot heading towards there dreams. This is a question of balance, finding this balance only comes from paying the price with experience. The price you pay can be high till you get the balance between confidence and experience.
What have I learned by racing -
There are few things in life as rewarding as setting a goal, working towards a goal and completing it.
Luck in a race just as in life is where preparation meets opportunity
The amount of encouragement you receive is equal to the amount of encouragement you give.
Laughter, friends and a beer will cure most of the aches and pains.
And finally
Finishing assures you of a spot in heaven . . . . . . . . .
Why do we do what we do ?
or random musings from the saddle.
I have been thinking about what drives people to ride/race mountain mayhem, either solo or as part of a team, I find it very difficult to separate cycling from any other sport when it comes to the endurance event. So if I offend any one I will apologise now.
In general endurance athletes are a funny lot, we do things that are unusual to the rest of the population, for a start men shave there legs, and we often spend more time on a bike than in a car, and that bike may very well be worth more the car.
The reasons we participate differ greatly from the man down the street, no one motivation is the right one, although those of a more altruistic or deeply personal nature appear to offer a more lasting reward.
Competition can be and is often considered petty and self obsessed when compared by some to the battle for survival that goes on day to day in many corners of the world, what ever peoples individual opinion, those of us who compete have a need to be met, and our involvement in this sport gives us a opportunity to meet that need.
We have all been stereotyped at some time in our lives, some more than others, rarely we are in a position to appreciate it, usually stereotype in carries a negative connotation, and we react accordingly, what do you say when some one calls you a ‘Nutter’ or ‘crazy’ for your penchant for mountain biking, would you take this as an affront to your mental health ?, being ‘crazy’ is generally not thought of as a healthy trait, or do you consider it a complement to your training and ability that they would put you in a class with usually reserved for habits a bit less redeeming than exercise.
Endurance events tend to attract highly motivated, confident people, with this confidence often comes with a over projection of the facts at times, in most cases this is OK, if you look at many of the success stories the individuals always appear to live with one foot in there experience and the other foot heading towards there dreams. This is a question of balance, finding this balance only comes from paying the price with experience. The price you pay can be high till you get the balance between confidence and experience.
What have I learned by racing -
There are few things in life as rewarding as setting a goal, working towards a goal and completing it.
Luck in a race just as in life is where preparation meets opportunity
The amount of encouragement you receive is equal to the amount of encouragement you give.
Laughter, friends and a beer will cure most of the aches and pains.
And finally
Finishing assures you of a spot in heaven . . . . . . . . .
