Let us start by setting some expectations for what this is all about. You are not about to be subjected to a rant about how I despise electronic devices, riders wearing headphones, or most of the things you may expect. For a good portion of riders/readers you are more than aware of the points that I am about to blabber on about. That is because for a good contingent of riders, we view the trail as a sanctuary, or distraction from the stresses and routines embedded into our daily lives. Quite honestly, I view myself as a rider that uses the trails as therapy - an escape from real world thoughts. Being out in nature gives me a chance to focus only on the banter and conversation with a fellow rider, the sounds of rubber attacking the trail and a chance to clear my head.
Today however was an eye opening experience - even though I thought my eyes were already wide open. It started with what is probably the perfect poetic metaphor for my morning trail ride. (The 4th this week!) You see this morning I awoke with the intent to ride and like many mornings, the fog of sleep would cast a veil on my morning and try to coerce me back under the warmth of my blankets. I fought the good fight by bolting upright and starting the process of preparing for a ride. First stop, the restroom ....... ( Flipping through my Decline) ,,,,,,,,, (Pondering the layout of my eventual backyard pumptrack) ...... (..............................................) ................... (..............................................) ........... (zzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzz) HOLY SH*T!!!!! I fell asleep on the john! Dammit I scream silently within my skull, the reverb pounding in the realization that my time available to ride before the wife heads to work is now shrinking. Ok, now I am charged with the pseudo energy that comes when you dart awake after falling asleep despite your best efforts not to. So I grab my gear and head down stairs to get dressed. Riding shorts on ... CHECK, Shirt On ..... CHECK, sitting down to put socks and shoes on .................. (zzzzzzzzzzzzz) DAMMIT! I am asleep again dreaming that I am awake, testing product, enjoying trails, and flowing carelessly through nature. Unfortunately I am now giving myself a pep talk, about how we are responsible for the choices we make and don't make, as the stark realization that my casual ride is no longer an option.
Today however was an eye opening experience - even though I thought my eyes were already wide open. It started with what is probably the perfect poetic metaphor for my morning trail ride. (The 4th this week!) You see this morning I awoke with the intent to ride and like many mornings, the fog of sleep would cast a veil on my morning and try to coerce me back under the warmth of my blankets. I fought the good fight by bolting upright and starting the process of preparing for a ride. First stop, the restroom ....... ( Flipping through my Decline) ,,,,,,,,, (Pondering the layout of my eventual backyard pumptrack) ...... (..............................................) ................... (..............................................) ........... (zzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzz) HOLY SH*T!!!!! I fell asleep on the john! Dammit I scream silently within my skull, the reverb pounding in the realization that my time available to ride before the wife heads to work is now shrinking. Ok, now I am charged with the pseudo energy that comes when you dart awake after falling asleep despite your best efforts not to. So I grab my gear and head down stairs to get dressed. Riding shorts on ... CHECK, Shirt On ..... CHECK, sitting down to put socks and shoes on .................. (zzzzzzzzzzzzz) DAMMIT! I am asleep again dreaming that I am awake, testing product, enjoying trails, and flowing carelessly through nature. Unfortunately I am now giving myself a pep talk, about how we are responsible for the choices we make and don't make, as the stark realization that my casual ride is no longer an option.
After convincing myself that I am going to win this battle with sleep, I grab a cup of coffee, swallow a ball of bread, load up and head out. My ride this morning will now be a separate war - one that will be based on getting in as much mileage as time will allow. Pulling into the trailhead I decide that today will be a good day to see how far my fitness has fallen and the best way to do that is pedal as hard as I can until my heart escapes my chest like an incubated facehugger from a Ridley Scott movie. I quickly unload my bike, don my helmet and check my Camelback for my car keys, wallet and phone. DAMMIT !! "Where the hell is my phone?" I ask myself, trying to recall whether I left it at home or on the counter of the local convenience store where I stopped to pull out money for day use fees. Normally at this point I would be frantic wondering where my phone was, but the sands of time are compressing my ride so I decide I will figure it out once I get home.
I hop on the bike and I pedal ....
"Circles equal efficiency" I tell myself as my body is forced to skip the warmup period I would normally work through.
......
......
I am making great time as I cross the creek bed and continue to power on when I am hit with an awareness of everything all at once. There are ten encyclopedias wrestling for instant real estate in my cranium fighting to shout out what the consequences of not having a phone on me really means.
"How did the ride go?" you may ask. Good! When I got back to the car I realized that in my fear of getting home late and having to tell the whole story to my wife, I pedaled way faster and more efficiently than normal and actually left some time on the table. It was an interesting morning and a realization of my reliance and comfort found in technology. It is also a testament that some of these things can make you ride better. But you may want to step back from time to time and ask yourself " Are you really awake and aware? Or are you sitting on the throne dreaming that your awake and tackling the day in front of you?" Don't forget to flush and more importantly, if you are like me, don't forgot your phone .... or do ... it is up to you.
I hop on the bike and I pedal ....
"Circles equal efficiency" I tell myself as my body is forced to skip the warmup period I would normally work through.
......
......
I am making great time as I cross the creek bed and continue to power on when I am hit with an awareness of everything all at once. There are ten encyclopedias wrestling for instant real estate in my cranium fighting to shout out what the consequences of not having a phone on me really means.
- I have no clue what time it is or how much time I have left to maximize my ride
- No Strava, No Pandora, None of the friends of technology that have somehow crept into my sanctuary.
- No trail side pics of snakes, trees, interesting landmarks ... I am now forced to take the mental picture!
- I am riding solo so if I manage an encore to my crash earlier in the week and hurt myself .... I cannot call for help.
- Last but not least I realize I'm a technoslut always on the trails with my gadgets. GoPro, Smartphones, GPS, Etc.
"How did the ride go?" you may ask. Good! When I got back to the car I realized that in my fear of getting home late and having to tell the whole story to my wife, I pedaled way faster and more efficiently than normal and actually left some time on the table. It was an interesting morning and a realization of my reliance and comfort found in technology. It is also a testament that some of these things can make you ride better. But you may want to step back from time to time and ask yourself " Are you really awake and aware? Or are you sitting on the throne dreaming that your awake and tackling the day in front of you?" Don't forget to flush and more importantly, if you are like me, don't forgot your phone .... or do ... it is up to you.
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