I envy my dog. There is nothing in her life that can not be immediately obtained that she bothers herself with; she is a perfect example of the happiness to be found through living in the moment, unclouded by dreams or goals. This is the embodiment of one aspect of what I seek from Cycling: freedom from external pressures via total inward focus on the now.
While I envy her, I pity her for this same reason; she will never know the beauty of cultivating a dream, nor the satisfaction to be found in achieving a goal, which is something else I seek from Cycling.
Her combination of focus and absent-mindedness inspires me. She has no limit to her desire to show me her favorite orange ball, or her insistence on helping me notice that she’s laid it in my lap. I can get up and move to another chair, and she will helpfully carry the ball over for me, noting that I neglected to bring it myself. Should something more important demand on her attention – say, the mailman arriving at the door (who requires a session of being barked at), or the appearance of food in her dish – the ball will be forgotten in totality. Later in the day, she will serendipitously reencounter the ball and delight afresh in its limitless bounties.
The changing of the seasons gives me this same gift; with each season I rediscover the beauty of our sport in new ways; riding through a fiery tunnel of changing leaves, the damp earthy smell of a winter’s training ride, the freedom of riding without arm, knee, and shoe covers on a warm spring day, or the glory of riding in the baking summer sun. Each arrives with the welcome of a long-lost friend.
I imagine that everything I need to know in order to become a Directeur Sportif, should the need arise, I have learned from raising dogs. For instance, loyalty is earned, not deserved. Further, loyalty and intelligence are more important than size, strength or talent. Managing a rider in a breakaway, assuming it is a US or Aussie team, the same principles apply as walking a dog on a lead; you prevent them pulling by any means necessary.
As for tolerating doping or other shenanigans within the team, even a dog instinctively knows never to shit where it sleeps.
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Great read, Frank.
The Prophet has a look in this photo that is akin to a mastiff being led through a preschool.
"I could consume you all, if I'd a mind to."
That's funny that you liken cycling in dog terms. 'Round these parts it's call chasing the ball - Gary throws the ball and I chase. I have to chase it. I can't help myself. For I am a dog (in a hat).
Early Aerosmith entry _here_
Man alive, your articles are getting deeper by the week. Did you major in philosophy?
How long til someone re-posts the infamous Marcus Burghart Gets Done Over By a Labrador clip?
"...never to shit where it sleeps." And this to "don't be a dick", and you have all you need to get thorugh life.
Great article @Frank.
@Bianchi Denti
er... "ADD this to..."
Good joke about the Aussie and American teams Frank. How well we remember wheel sucker Gerrans at MSR and JVS at PR on the radio " no riding no riding if it's a race for third then it's a race for third, no riding". Yuck.
And now for something completely different: My Dog: The paradox.
@paolo
I don't remember a wheel sucker. I remember a bike racer who was well placed and alert enough to spot a decisive attack on the Poggio and punchy enough to go with it. 40 other guys didn't. I remember a very ballsy descent then Cance pulling 95% and losing the finale (his signature move in 2012?) Nibbles pulling nought and losing and Gerrans pulling 5% and winning. In the green & gold bands too. Its called winning a bike race, mate. Show me a break with someone, anyone, swapping turns with Faboo when he's driving the pace and I'll show you someone about to get beaten.
@CanuckChuck
Super cute and super true. Thanks.
Everything I learned about coaching third-grade soccer (to an undefeated season, may I add) I learned from training bird dogs:
- create situations in which the creature wants to do what you want it to
- games can teach
- keep it upbeat, mostly; the more fun you keep it generally, the more hardassed you can be every once in a while