(Strangely, in the background, is a poignant memorial to another man’s choice to suffer…).

Except, Van Avermaet exists…

Same, but different

Once out and on the road the endorphins (or dolphins as my daughter calls them ) kick in and the planet looks so much better.

Agree, if thats crazy, then put me in the white strapped jacket and padded room.

Really well done, Frank. Can’t speak for anyone else, but sometimes when I climb on my bike I ask myself, “Do I really want to do this?” Then when that ride is over, no matter the circumstances, (hills, weather etc.), I always say, “Damn, I’m glad I did that” Always. The power of the bike. It’s indisputable.

@Frank this is me today… Reading this article while slowly getting ready for a ride. My body and mind say stay at home, rest, relax, but the desire to quash those demons is just strong enough to get me or on the bike with the knowledge that it is worth it in the end.

A-Merckx to that

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’m told I must be crazy to get up so early to go riding 3-4 days a week.

Well, after an hour or so of mind clearing exercise, I get something like this all to myself, then I get the mood benefits of an endorphin boost that science would struggle to match for the rest of the day.

If that’s crazy, I don’t want to be sane.

Forest Range Sunrise from Mikael Liddy on Vimeo.

Your insight provides a clear example of the power of cycling.

Thank you.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The more pain I can endure when I’m training, the more I know I’ll enjoy the simple pleasures of just riding tempo for a few hours. Suffering is still there, but I don’t feel the need to beat myself up if I’ve struggled through a big session earlier in the week. The mantra “it’s in your mind, control it, use it” is a favourite of mine to help push further than my weak will wants to.

I’ve ridden all the big events I had lined up for the year now, too.  So I’m back to my v-meter for a real sense of freedom.

Spot on. There is nothing like the freedom of covering roads on your own power.

Nate! Ha, I was just telling the VMH that I couldn’t find the mini-awesome bag I kept my Sunnies cloth in, as I used it the other night during a rain ride, mid-ride cleanse. I think one of the darn cats swatted it away from the table.

Anyway, she commented, “You have a bag for the cloth? That is a bit much.”

“Do you regularly go out for four hours on a bicycle with one two pockets of help in your V-jersey?”

She knew I wasn’t being argumentative, but got it.

To leave at dawn, to ride four hours, to come back with just a “kids toy” and to do it with just your own legs, spirit, and a spare (butyl!) tube is pretty darn cool. Keeps a person spry.

WORD! to that, Frankster. I’ve come to a moment and point in my life where I realize my priorities must change. Just has to be. That’s cool. I’m still a goddamnVelominatus. What do I care? Gotta make it happen.

I only was afforded twenty minutes of “ride around town” time today. Just how she went. Still, so fucking what. I was on me bike, I enjoyed being on me bike.

This essay fuckin’ rocks and I’m pumped. I feel a parallel peace – walking the Velomintus Path, walking the humdrum of daily life. It’s okay.

I’ve still got that Gravel Ride to crush on Saturday.

Nice!

The amount of times that I’ve gone out for a ride and come home thinking ‘that was a mistake’, I can count on one hand. Every other time, even on the nastiest of days I get home with a full sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. The hardest part of any bike ride on the days that you just don’t feel like going, is the first pedal stroke….After that it’s easy, even within the suffering.