shyonelung

I'm not nearly the serious rider that many of you are. I got myself a nice bike and I try to put in 3-4 rides a week, minimum distance about 15 miles. I don't ride in inclement weather because I'm a wuss. I crawl up hills and I coast more than I'm supposed to.

Today, I had to bring my car in for repairs -- about 20 miles from my house. There's a very nice, well-marked bike route pretty much from where my car repair guy is all the way back to my town. It's mostly flat, though traffic can be heavy and scary in places -- big wine-country trucks whizzing by at 45-plus and along part of the route, lots of stoplights and turn-ins. But once you get passed all that stuff, there's a really great stretch that gets more and more rural with each mile. It's a fine ride when you're trying to get your legs under you at the beginning of the season. Anyway, I did about 30 miles on Sunday with some friends and it was the first really cold day of the year. The wind was blowing us all over the road. I over-dressed today thinking it would be the same, but of course, it was sunny and 73 degrees with just a slight headwind.

So, I get on the road and start pedaling back and I'm sweating of course because I have jersey on and a base layer and leg warmers (which I was too lazy to strip off). But I get to the cool part around the 12-mile mark. Suddenly, I'm totally zoning out. It's me, the bike, my heart beat, the rhythm of the pedaling and NOTHING else. It was weird and kinda cool and, I have to say, truly beautiful. It was like that for 2-3 minutes -- which is where I realized that I had tears running down my cheeks. Reminded me of something a friend once said to me on a bike ride, that she thinks of it as her church.

I'm sure I'm not the only person to experience this. I cannot wait to get back on the road now. Maybe it's a sign I'm making progress. Or I'm just a lunatic.

datlas 

Tell it, brother!

Sounds like you were in "the zone."

It's a beautiful thing.

jimblairo

Carry the message!

https://www.elevengear.com/the-church...le-jersey.html

Cyclelogikal

Cycling NIRVANA!

BillyD

Fixed.

Pirkaus

I love when this happens.
You lay out power with what seems like no effort.
I find it doing solo rides and usually while climbing
Pirk

rousseau

All praise to our lord and saviour, Eddy Merckx. You have been redeemed, brother. Just remember to read the scriptures regularly to buttress your faith: https://www.velominati.com.

And always obey the rules: https://www.velominati.com/the-rules/.

THSdrummer

The zone is a beautiful place.

I've found it once. It was in a cross country race in high school (about 4 years ago at this point). I hit the 1 and 1/2 mile mark, saw a teammate who yelled a split and then don't recall a dang thing. I remember finishing confused, because I thought the whole course had been rearranged while I was mid-race. I can also recall going up and down huge hills. I just entered a zone of nothing but running. I haven't found it since, but it was beautiful.

coasting 

You people are so emo.

shoota 

You need a real church.

rpenmanparker 

Off topic, but does anyone know why only high school runners run "cross county" while ever afterward people run distances. In college, national, international and Olympic track. Never again after high school is "cross country" heard of again. One of two things is strange. Either it's all distance running and just has this wierd name in high school, or high school is the only place people really run cross country, whatever that really means. Why would that be? Does one have to watch out for cow patties? What's the real deal?

Ghost Ryder

Amen!

THSdrummer

I run cross country at the NCAA Division II level. They also have cross country at D1, D3, and NAIA, each with its own respective championship system. They also host USA Cross Country Nationals (for masters and pros and such - recently held at St. Louis, should be there again this year). I believe there is also a World Championships for it as well (held much like cycling WCs over the course of several days, racing various genders and distances). It's just not incorporated at the Olympics - which is probably why few people know about it. As I recall, it WAS an Olympic sport, but was removed sometime in the 50's or 60's...

I help host a local cross country race for the public (it's actually this weekend). I have also raced several off season (mid-summer) cross country races open to the public. Yes, they are much more rare compared with road races, but I think most people want to run fast if they're going to run. Grass is not typically fast. Not to mention, finding a training venue for a cross country race isn't always that easy. A few cross country courses in the area are maintained year-round, but are not as easy to get to as stepping out your front door and just running. Plus finding a suitable course to hold a race on is difficult. Golf courses typically provide the best venues, but they often times try to avoid us (which is understandable in certain situations). Otherwise, there are not a lot of grass venues with a perimeter at least 2 miles or so in mid-city or suburban to host an event. The event we host is a little over 2 miles, and is maxing out the area we have. A 5k would require an additional loop (although I'm all for offering this option). An 8k or 10k might get to be a bit much at this particular venue.

Short answer: Opportunities to race cross country are present after high school, just not every weekend.

coasting 

It's just a bike.

halfspeed

Meh.

rpenmanparker 

Thanks. In my experience high school cross country was just another name for city street-bound distance running. It at lest good to know it has some real embodiment some places.

Dave Cutter

1. I agree with shoota.People are more than two dimensional creatures. If you've lived life absent of your spiritual side... you're missing too much.

2. Finding "the zone" while bicycling is awesome. Being in the zone can a regular part of your cycling experience... it is for me. I do have to work for it. Every ride I take... starts with me on my bicycle. But after a [more than] few minutes and [more than] a few miles... as I warm up we become like one. The bicycle responds to my thoughts. And for a while... most days... this retired, arthritic, old man fly's along the same as I did as a kid.

rousseau

Cycling is a "real" church. Those other kind that litter the landscape in North America are thankfully going the way of the dodo. The notion that not going to those old-fashioned kinds of churches means you're ignoring your spiritual side is totally cuckoo.

patentcad

You said it not me my son.

Also, stop with the religious talk, I'm the Pope in this Think Tank.

coasting 

This blasphemy will not go unpunished. I am avoiding thunderstorms for a month.

shyonelung

I actually have a very spiritual life. I don't believe much in religion though. The thing that felt best about today was the feeling for a few minutes of just being present in the moment as they say. Been going through a difficult situation personally and even set out today in a sour mood. It was a pleasant and welcome surprise to find a moment of pure joy in just being outside on my bike on a beautiful fall day. I love riding and often find it brings a grin to my face but sometimes even the things you love can feel like work. All day I've felt amazing and happy - all because I took a bike ride today. Pretty damn cool.


By the way, I'm a girl. Just for clarity.

coasting 

I know how you feel. This is why I prefer riding solo. The "moment " gets ruined when someone starts yelling.

shyonelung

Yep. My father, who is 87, likes to say that he doesn't believe in God or the Internets. One of the many reasons I love him.

f4rrest

+1

coasting 

I bet this thing gets flushed down the pan to P&R