I feel it in my bones. I feel it in my breathing. I fixate on how much I feel it in my legs to the point where I find myself in a meeting, rubbing them to gauge how soft they’ve gotten. (Must learn to stop doing that in public as it can’t possibly improve my social standing. I’m tempted to cite the fact that I’m a Cyclist and it is normal in our circles, but I’m afraid that will only serve to drag the rest of you down with me rather than prove my case.)
For most uf us, life gets in the way of Cycling when we’re not careful to ensure it doesn’t, and having a goal sketched out before you can be helpful in keeping focus. In the run-up to Keepers Tour, I managed to stay disciplined and make room in my schedule to get on the bike regularly enough to get fit. But goals also have the effect of leaving a void once attained. In the aftermath of the trip, I’ve been hopelessly caught between conflicting priorities as I struggle to catch up after those few weeks away; without a goal in sight to make sure the bike gets assigned its due importance, I find myself riding the bike less than I’ve become accustomed to.
Of course, I do find satisfaction with each ride I manage to get out on, and I take comfort in the knowledge that things will settle down again and balance will be restored. It is during these times, however, when the feeling in my legs, lungs, and bones serve to constantly remind me that I’m a little less fit than I was yesterday that I realize what the bicycle is: an addiction.
I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but I wouldn’t be able to make a convincing argument against anyone classifying me as having an addictive personality. And, based on the assumption that you’re reading this and relate on some level to what I’m saying, then you probably have one, too; it seems to be a bit of an occupational hazard for the Velominati. Consider the following from WikiPedia, which represents a body of work by people whose credibility and identity is impossible to verify. Everything but the bit about “weak commitment” and “stress” rings true:
An individual is considered to be at the risk of developing…addictions when he/she displays signs of impulsive behavior, nonconformity combined with a weak commitment to the goals for achievement valued by the society, a sense of social alienation, and a sense of heightened stress. Such a person may switch from one addiction to another; or even sustain multiple addictions at different times.
The article goes on to define this condition as a “brain desease”. That sounds more “insulting” than it does “scientific”, but I have no choice but to submit to the authority of those whose credibility I can’t disprove. So, in the face of an overwhelming lack of evidence of being incorrect, it has to be assumed that we (or at least I) have broken brains, though as I write this I suppose this fact shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying any attention at all. On the other hand, we already aspire to be heroin-thin, so I suppose it’s fitting that we have an addiction to go along with the appearance.
Having told you now what you presumably already knew, I’ll close with the following sentiment: so long as I’m destined to be addicted to something, I’m glad it is Cycling, which I consider to be something healthy and positive, instead of something destructive like crack or reading.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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View Comments
@Lister
Totally, mate; its been a wickedly stressful month or so since getting back from Keepers Tour; usually Velominati's work load spikes and so does my actual job, but usually not together. Well, they are both spiking right now and its a real killer. But it passes. I'm lucky to have such problems.
@Ron
The catch for me is that school is actually a 40 hour a week gig. 25 credits a semester. 16 in the summer. I'm on a fixed program. No wiggle room on my classes. Then add a part time job. It's gettin rather stressful and cycling would help but then time is a massive issue. On the upside after Monday I have a 2 week break. I am beyond excited about it.
@tessar
I find myself doing it with my hands in my pockets, leaning against a wall while I'm having a discussion. Feeling for the fibers in my legs while the muscles are tensioned from standing. It is really, really - really - not a good thing. Really must stop. I can't imagine what it looks like. Well. No. I can imagine what it looks like.
@Ali McKee
This boggles my mind - not just from you, but anyone who doesn't shave. I've shaved them so long I can't figure out how it would be to have hairy legs.
@frank
Testing posting. Did you get the jersey, Frank?
@frank
Pocket pinball?
@RedRanger
When I was training for Keepers Tour, I was working 50 or more hours a week for my job, writing for the site, making all the arrangements for the trip, getting the flag, V-Pint glasses (which have resurfaced by the way), V-Shirts etc designed and made up...another 40 or more hours went into that easily. I found the only way I could get on the bike was by treating it like a work activity and just scheduling it with everything else. Its the only way.
Or do as @mcsqueak says and commute. Problem solved. And you'd be amazed at how little extra time it takes.
@frank
Well who did when they were in their thirties, FFS?
From the deep end of my fifties, I can say the addiction still burns on, maybe not as bright but it's still the addiction of choice. Thoughts of N+1 never leave and you'll need a least 10km to warm up. Get psyched.
@itburns
Yup, it came back. Finally catching up on orders and shipments and your replacement will go out this weekend.
@frank
I find this is the case as well, but I like to take it easy for a little longer than 10 mins. Sometimes I sort of feel like crap until I get going - like you said, I need to get a climb in or some hard sustained work to really get into the groove and warmed up.
@RedRanger
Yeah I think that's a tough part of those very focused programs, you have to stick with their setup. When I was at university I only took 12 or 14 credit hours a term (3 classes) typically, and worked 35/hrs a week at The Sharper Image at the local mall to support myself. I felt like I had a lot more time back then, even though I was doing some combo of working/school/schoolwork 7 days a week. My last 3 classes I took spread out over an entire year, because I had been hired for an actual non-retail job before I graduated.
Office jobs have a "special" way of making you feel exhausted even though you generally sit on your ass infront of a computer all day...
@frank
Living in a valley, the only way to start a ride is by going up. There's a point on a few of the steeper options, where I decide (less than ten minutes into the ride) that today is not my day. A few minutes later, everything is fine again.
@RedRanger
If the ride is not a part of the routine, it's easy to be too busy (or too tired). I typically ride in the morning, not because I have free time then, but because I make it the day's priority. I'm constrained by having three very good reasons not to adhere to Rule 11 (four if you count Mrs. Steampunk, too), but there are always ways to fit it in. Not always the longest ride, but even a quick 20k loop is the right way to start the day before a 9:00 class or meeting.