Upon (successful) completion of this mornings perplexedly peevish spin set, Hammer the 17, the post-session endorphin flow was raging like class 5 whitewater. Under normal conditions, say after something more moderate and less challenging, the afterglow conversation is sedate, staid and relatively soft. Today it was amped-up, lit-up and loud. When I finally got to talk with one of my favorites, an exemplary regular of at least ten years, she asked about the 2019 Epic Ride, starting off with a zinger of a question about ‘that crazy ride’.
We had just finished a killer set where the themes of attitude, effort, challenge, awareness and experience all took turns in the spotlight. Examples include the attitude of amplitude, easy effort and the challenge of a colorful crescendo. Like solid and committed teammates in group flow, our pledge is to each other. We listen to our mates, be they teammates, band mates or first mates. They must know, yes down to the cellular level, that our commitment is deep. The unmentioned benefit of this is of course that in order to be of benefit to the team, one must first find that quality in him or herself, for it is only be being our best that we could ever hope to motivate and energize others. I find this concept tremendously empowering. Do as I do, not as I say, they say. With this as pre-text I was a little surprised to hear her comment that our goal, riding the 1,600 miles between Seattle and LA, was “crazy”.
She begins to list the reasons that support her stance. Headwinds, the potential for fire and smoke, retirees in RVs, potholes, fatigue, flats and fear of drinking drivers. I let her ramble nodding in silent agreement with each objection. Finally her arguments began to fade and I recognized that it is my turn to add counterpoint.
Yes, all true, but the experience from my two previous trips, both South to North, suggest that trading the absolute joy and freedom of the road for lighter winds, wider shoulders, fewer geezers and flat-proof tires defeats the very purpose of being out there in the first place. There is a risk factor that increases our alertness, awareness and total engagement. It is part of what makes it, well, so epic.
It’s too bad you couldn’t ride at night when traffic is reduced, she says as a closing comment, glancing at her fitness monitor of a watch and heading towards the door.
Wheels are turning in my head at breakneck speed. August 3-24. Almost a month on the road.
I’ll bet there will be a full moon one of those nights.
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