I'm glad someone has brought up this somewhat spiritual topic. It doesn't happen to me every ride, maybe one ride in 15-20, but when it does it's amazing. I don't think this 'experience' for me is dependent upon weather conditions or terrain, although it would be pretty unusual to happen in say, a driving rain or a stiff headwind. Generally speaking it seems to happen when I'm relaxed, working hard, and 'open' to all the sensory input flooding in around me. I know it sounds weird, but in a very tangible sense 'I' cease to exist... I don't turn into a zombie or anything, it's like 'I', the learned self that is Dave, is sublimated and vanishes... everything is forward motion and breathing.

I'll come back from this state and be 20 miles down the road sometimes. It's extremely cool.

Dave