The Cycling Warrior
Back around 2005, I felt like I had gotten myself into the groove of being a road biker and I started to venture out on longer and longer rides. This was around the time I was living in Austin, Texas and with great cycling roads and the aura of cycling glory oozing all around me it was the perfect time to take it to the next level.
I started out by making Friday’s my “Big Ride” day. Thursday night I would gather my gear, load my bike in the van (yeah, we actually drove a mini van for a period of time, and I just gotta start erasing that memory) and on Friday morning I would be ready to start riding right after dropping my wife off at work. I would liken it to a ritual, and even now I can still feel the warrior type atmosphere I created when I think about it.
Just before taking off on the ride, my next warrior move would be to wrap a bandanna around my head….not to catch sweat, but to show myself that this would not be just an ordinary ride. I would only use the bandanna on Friday’s. It was my day to be a cycling warrior. Each and every Friday that I went out there, I would have one incredible ride. Coincidence?
We watch these football players and fighters with their tribal marking and pre-event rituals and I absolutely see the purpose for all of this. Sure the black lines below their eyes may help with the glare of the lights….but I know that they put it there more so to bring out the warrior within.
It’s the same thing for pro riders. The outfits, the glasses, and all the accessories assist their riding performance, but it does so much more. It brings them to a better place in their mind….and we all know that is a big chunk of the battle.
When I switched to a new helmet in 2007, the bandanna didn’t quite fit as well as it did before so I gave it up. In my riding today, I may not have the same pre-ride rituals and tribal markings as I did in the past….but the warrior still remains.
Do you bring out the warrior for certain rides? What is your ritual?
I always ride with my cycling cap, no matter the weather. I just feel naked without it.
Nice, does it make you feel like a warrior?
I listen to “Super Bad” by James Brown while I’m checking my bike out and gearing up “I love, I love to do my thing
Ha, and I, and I don’t need no one else/ Sometimes I feels so nice, good god, I jump back…” Puts me in just the right mood to tear down the driveway feeling invincible!
Hahaha, that’s awesome. You’ve totally got my grooving in my mind to JB right now.
I totally agree. For me being “fully kitted” is one such thing. It’s putting on the “uniform” of a bike racer. I can take my mountain bike out with regular shorts and a t-shirt and ride about, or I can “kit up” on the same bike and do a hammerfest on gravel or singletrack.
Exactly….thanks for adding your comments, Anello.
I carry a small bag on the front of my bike. On the long endurance road rides I put most everything I could possibly need during the day. Tylenol, allergy pills, sun and lip cream. Band aides, extra air cartridges, money, snacks. Plus, I always wear a bandana due to lack of hair.
Plus, most of the time I’m wearing my “Loving the Bike Jersey”
Bethel Strong
Yes…..and you look so good in that Loving the Bike jersey.