May 30, 2005 on 5:11 pm | In Abstractions | No Comments
Muscles tremble throughout my body, soon the quaking fibers will propel me, the anticipation will transform into adrenaline . Now my fingers attach the front wheel. An eager leg swings over the frame, foot meets pedal and I am hurled forward. The winding dirt road gives way to trailhead, a hallowed entrance into the deep forest beckons. The corridor is narrow, littered with rocks, roots of the passing trees snake across my path. The obstacles are a welcome challenge, the trail now heads toward an unseen horizon, up and up legs afire lungs heaving I go. Endless miles are covered in pursuit, the goal ahead a descent unseen by my eyes. Settled into a rhythm the climb is no longer foe, instead it becomes the companion of the wait. Atop the magnificent mountain the view is expansive, below me the trail slithers like a dragon, the descent either leading to the glory of the slay, or the pain of a scorching attempt gone awry. Either way the journey is all this traveler requires. The trees grab me with outstretched limbs, thorns and briars sink into my flesh, rocks jut from the ground rattling me to the core, mud spits onto my face and grits in my teeth. Blood tickles my extremities as my chain rattles, fueled by the water flowing down parched throat, my body heaves itself in delicate balance, switchbacks and obstacles are negotiated leading onward, Again the dirt road welcomes my now weary body, aching I turn to bestow the forest with a parting glance. My bicycle and I triumphant in today’s quest, the playground of my maturity to be visited again,
May 5, 2005 on 5:10 pm | In Abstractions | No Comments
It strikes me that in this day in age the unyielding pursuit of an identity is the catalyst behind the vast majority of our problems. The individuals need for uniqueness is driving deep wedges into societies and groups where differences are fabricated for superficial purposes.
Undoubtedly, evidence of such occurrences spread over the entire realm of human experience. Yet, there is one occurrence where this social casting is of direct relevance to you and me. The sport of cycling is being divided into categories and even further into sub-categories. There are numerous reasons behind this movement, company marketing schemes, NORBA race classifications, riders seeking identity, etc., and while these motives seem to have utilitarian purposes, the overall effect it is having on our sport is rather detrimental. We cannot lose sight of the fact that we are all cyclists. Deep down whether your primary time on a bicycle is as a commuter in the city, or a mountain biker downhilling on heinous singletrack, we are all moved by the pulse of bliss found in the saddle of a bicycle.
This should be more than enough to unite us in a concerted effort to maintain the freedom we require to follow our passion. As other trail/road users develop their opinions of us the spaces that we roam are slowly dwindling. It is this threat that should now more than ever bring us together as a unified family of cyclists willing and able to throw ourselves and our talents into the fight for the right to bicycle when and where we so desire.
Forget trying to distance yourself from the other segments of the sport and begin to join your brothers and sisters. For a bicycle is a bicycle is a bicycle, and no matter how you use it to chase your passion I stand with you, and urge you to stand with me.- Perry Johnson
