Plastic substance
 

I didn't know whether I should call this thread, "Substance" or, "Plastic." So I went for, "Plastic substance."

neeway, in this "plastic" society of ours, everything is for show. Artificial flavor. Artificial color. Artificial breasts (no extra milk there, sorry, kid!) Television ("so real you'd swear you were there.") False this, fake that. What's real anymore?

Now. As a cyclist, my "art" pulls something real out of me. Something deep inside that becomes part of everything else around me that's real. The more I ride, the more I am disappointed at fake things, like plastic flowers or plastic fruit.

Cycling has put "substance" back into my life. If I need to get up that hill, I have to really put myself into it. No wimpy pressing on the gas pedal. I gotta sweat!

;)

Perfectly said.

I like to phrase it as "The disposable society." What is real? Well the LORD is real! Pushing the envelope of your sanity on a steep downhill at speeds approaching 40 to 50 is real. Merging into on coming rush hour traffic on your bike is real. The silence on a weekend urban assault is real. I kinda miss those but not much. Riding home from work after racking your brain all day then concentrating on traffic that does not see you, concentrating on ped's, concentrating on possible animal obstacles, concentrating on that upcoming pot hole, wind in your face on a climb, car exaust on that climb, sweat in your eyes, and some how you make it home. That is real!
Let's keep it that way!!

OK, so far we have Cambronne as Commuting Forum Guru, Technogirl as Sweetheart of the Commuting Forum. I don't think anyone will dispute that Pete Clark is the Official Philosopher of the Commuting Forum! Yeah, I know this is not the Commuting Forum, but we still claim Pete as ours because he is, first and foremost, a bicycle commuter.

Pete, bicycle commuting just makes me feel real. Experiencing the cold, heat, humidity, rain, wind, etc., etc.. puts me in touch with what is real. It makes me feel alive, part of the real world. There is a certain primal feel to having a little physical "struggle" in my life each day. "Me Og!"

Da Rainman

Pete should be elected Philosopher King of these forums.

Pete, something that goes along with what you said:

I once saw an epitaph on a tombstone, I hope the english translation does it justice:

I measure my life not by its mere duration, but by the intensity of my experiences and the depth of my understanding.

There words come to mind every time a log truck overtakes me on a fast downhill in the rain, and I find splinters in my jersey sleeve upon my arrival home.

I'll tell ya, between the boats and the log trucks we are very lucky to still have Cambronne with us.

I was thinking it would be fun, if I find myself in the Atlanta area, to set up a group ride with Cambronne, Pete, AlphaGeek and other in the Atlanta area. I am beginning to wonder if riding with Cambronne is such a good idea. :)

It is better to put more life in your days, than days in your life!
(Although I believe that biking will accomplish both!!)

Oh yeah! :thumbup:

I might be able to swing by, that'd be great!!!

And if we all wore our BikeForums.com jerseys we could form a paceline like Cipo's Saecco Red Train. Only older (except Fubar). And slower. And maybe not red.
:)

Any new word on those jerseys?