Zen and the art of not watching where you’re going
Mostly I just wanted an excuse to use that post title, but there is some sense to it. Flying wheels was last weekend, and I found myself in the Hub Zone for the first time in many weeks if not months… watching the hub of a trusted friend in front of me, slipping slowly into a trance, completely unaware of where I was going at 20 mph. That is truly a happy place - although admittedly probably somewhat dangerous. The day-to-day rider might not experience the joy of riding someone’s wheel. I’d recommend it. Go for a ride with a friend. Let them lead, pull up real close to their back wheel, and let your awareness fade into a blur of passing concrete and spinning spokes. This takes real trust and works best on long stretches of uninterrupted road. Too many crossings or stop lights will snap you right out of it just because you’re worried about crashing - and rightfully so.
Tonight, on the ride home, I managed to do this all by myself, looking down at my own front hub as I stood up and cranked, out of the saddle. That same alluring concrete blur tempted me, unfortunately an even stronger desire to not run into a garbage truck snapped me out of it. Regardless, the feeling was similar, and it is very much zen, enjoying the moment - the journey, and not hurrying toward the destination - all that. Great stuff. Give it a try, but for god’s sake, wear a helmet and look up ahead every now and then.
Comments
Jun 17
Gary
Don’t be a moron! That is a good way to die! I had a boss whose brother hit a storm grating, over the top and onto the curb...DOA.
You go into a zen trance with riding without narrowing your focus to 2ft in front of your bike. If you want to do the close focus, do it a on a stationary bicycle.
Otherwise I find I can go into my Zen state while being hyper aware of things like buses, cross street traffic, potholes etc. It’s a different plane but no less pleasing.
Jun 17
Dave
By all means, look where you’re going! Maybe I didn’t make it clear that I wouldn’t get into this habit in the city. On an open country road, with a trusted friend leading the way is a much different story than looking down, passing car doors, storm grates and blind alley ways in the city. That would, in fact, be pretty dumb.
Anyway, I guess I’m not REALLY suggesting anything to anyone - find your own way. I’m mostly just observing one of those little moments that is part of the allure of cycling to me.... You gotta be smart about it, just like everything else.
Sorry to hear about anyone who gets hurt for any reason. I’d agree that in the big picture the rewards are greater if we stay alive another day.
Jun 17
Geoffrey Smith
Wear a helmet!
Jun 18
Cody Rasmussen
I’ve felt the Zen state before, but only for a second. I find that “drafting” as you describe is a adrenaline rush and my awareness peaks on all levels when cruising (wheel to wheel) along at high speeds.
As Dave said, this is a advanced technique and is a standard aerodynamic riding style for cycling teams. There are some pretty interesting facts about efficiency drafting has. For starters the 2nd rider in a pack uses 23% less effort than the leader… the 3rd rider 33%… and so on up to 60%! Read more about drafting here:
How to draft
I’m all for learning new techniques. But, don’t do this one on a pot hole infested city street. Give it a go in a training situation. Plan it out, get on a good route and discuss the techniques. And, most of all be safe!
Jun 18
Dave
There you go. That about covers it. Thanks.