Stop pedaling

As riders we often find ourselves whizzing past at great speed. Training. Riding. Racing. Cycling is the greatest sport in the World.

7.8.2015 – Words by Jesper Grundahl

As I write this, the grueling, overcoming Transcontinental Race, from Vlaanderen to Istanbul, is still on-going. An epic battle against the clock, across Europe to reach Istanbul with check-in’s in countries like Belgium, France, Turin, Croatia, Montenegro and then Turkey. Whatever route you take to reach these check-in points is entirely up to you.

"ROAD IS THE WAY OF LIFE" we claim, but I am sure the contestants in this year Transcontinental Race will like to add: "Road Is Also A Way Of Death" because how - and when - do you stop when you’re racing against closure times at check-points spread across Europe ? Because at some point you will need to STOP PEDALING.

The Transcontinental Race across Europe may be a race, but it is also a cultural revelation. The many different cultures you encounter along the way may not only pass you by, they may also lift your spirits up and propel your cycling efforts forward. A mere pit-stop in a local grocery can possibly be a life-affirming experience, lifting your spirits and bring you closer to the next check-in point or even to make it through to the finish-line.

Let it be said immediately; I’m not a contestant in this year’s Transcontinental Race. I admire their struggles, and their incredible opportunity to experience far-away cultural experiences simply by meeting people along the way or stopping. If you don’t fall asleep.

To stop pedaling is important. You need breaks from the motion. No one can keep going and going like a Duracell rabbit. To stop and take a break along your route, if not to eat then simply to take the whole spectacle in, is a gift you should give yourself. Just stop pedaling, pull over, listen to the sounds, smell or meet the people in the country you ride in.

CYCLING MEMORIES are often created during a cycling break. As much as I enjoy riding with friends, where most rides are solely for training, I sometimes return thinking it was just a nice ride. But if the ride involves a coffee-break it becomes something much more than just a ride.

COFFEE is an integral part of being a cyclist, and pre-ride coffee or an impromptu coffee-stop on a longer ride is often included, but a full size lunch-stop is rarely on the table for most of us for the fact that we are always in a hurry. Training. Riding.

A full lunch-break requires time on your hands, and if on a cycling holiday you have plenty of it, and there are ample opportunities to sample new cafés and restaurants. And you are not in a hurry. You can slowly start your inner jet-engine again after lunch, and ride the tempo up slowly, because you are on holiday.

But what if you actually applied this simple holiday set of rules into one of your weekend rides, instead of just getting the training and ride over and done with ? What if you at least once in a while, together with riding friends, introduced a "Lunch Ride" where you would stop pedaling, take time to sit down and enjoy everything you came out for ? What if ?

You would - perhaps - like the riders struggling in the Transcontinental Race meet new people, new cultures, find a new exciting place you have never been, experience great food or perhaps meet the love of your life.

Strange and great things happen when you stop pedaling instead of just whizzing by.

Try it – you never know what will happen!


We Would love to hear from you
Connect with Us and lets stay in TOUCH!

or


COMMENTS

Sign in to add a comment