A Trifecta

There are three feelings in cycling that I miss. I say three feelings I miss because I genuinely don't believe they can be found outside of the sport. The reason I'm saying feelings rather than things or places is because one of the best things about having a bike is the ability to find yourself and internalise in an environment that allows you to let it all out.

1. The feeling of complete exhaustion. Not "oh I'm tired" but absolute exhaustion. The best thing about this one is that on a bike you can keep going past that point, and I would recommend that you do at least once so you can see what I mean. Wait, you don't have time or inclination? Well watch this VIDEO and see Mr Ryan Kelly achieve this anti-zen by getting hit with a dumptruck of awesome.
2. Float days. When I run it hurts. When I used to row, that hurt. Those elliptical machines? AGONY. Pretty much every method of eliciting rapid aerobic metabolism from muscle cells hurts. But every now and then you throw your leg over the top tube, push down the pedals, and feel... nothing. I rode the regional GHS Time Trial (U17 champs, sort of) on a day like that. I don't remember anything except hearing my lungs, I was just so fast! Winning without effort against insane competition is the best thing I have ever felt.
3. Wait up! Did I say the best thing? I lied. When you work hard you go faster. There comes a point when you're racing where everyone else is at the limit, but it's your favourite hill in 100 metres, or you're really good in the rain and a down pour is coming in. When you're the one choosing the speed, choosing the suffering it doesn't matter how hard you're riding and that blood shouldn't come from your pores and sweat from your eyes, because you're making everyone else hurt 100 times that.

I miss riding a lot. Watching the US cross scene through J-Pow's excellent Behind the Barriers series is helping, but all I want is to get back sur la velo and feel the agony and the ecstasy again. Soon, legs. Soon.