There are a lot of things I would like to write about, both for my benefit and maybe others: starting times for the day, gear and packing, chipseal, riding alone vs a group, rain gear, self-testing, post ride routines and books, etc -but that stuff ain't gonna happen when I'm relegated to updating on my phone. In a group it's much easier to take turns finding s library then when alone. I needed a Bluetooth keyboard. Anyway...
Today was 97 miles, 6:34 on bike, getting done around 5:30. I'm camped in Harlowtown in the northern great plains, having exited the mountains today with my final and 14th pass. Today I also hit 1,000 miles. Thank you day 17.
Today was a lesson in control, or more so our lack of control. I wish I had a keyboard to really explain this, but here is the condensed version: Technology, especially cars, air conditioning, and things like that allow us to control nature. Too hot? Use AC. Too cold? Heater. Headwind or a hill? Just use a little more gas. We bend nature to our whims for our comfort. It makes us gods over the world, and I don't think the extent that we do it is healthy for our society. Imagine if we could control the weather - outside weather that is - we already control the weather inside the boxes where we spend most of our lives, but imagine that we could control all weather. What gods we would be. Uncomfortable? Don't adapt, change your surroundings instead! These are recent inventions, and what lessons have they taught us? How has this power changed the interpersonal nature of society?
Bikes are different. Today I climbed a pass for the first 22 miles. It took me over 3 hours to do my first 30 miles, and I had to carry over a gallon of water and take my break hiding behind an improvised sun shield due to a 70 mile stretch with no services. The next 65 miles also took 3 hours. Think about that difference! I picked up a tailwind at mile 55 and the terrain leveled out. I hit the plains like a rocket, cruising between 20 and 30mph, even over construction torn up roads and rolling hills. If that had been a headwind I would never have made 97 miles today, not with that pass to start it out.
When you bike you must adapt to nature. Your are it's whim. You are subjugated, inferior, and humbled several times a day. Good conditions are a rare and fleeting gift, opportunities to coast are treasured, "easy miles" remembered. If you are uncomfortable you must change yourself: shift gears, slow down, put on or take off clothes, etc. You can't change the hill, temperature, or wind. You are powerless. Our species has lived in this way for thousands of years. Until the 20th century, really, when we stopped adapting to the environment and started changing it or overpowering it with technology.
Biking to work I am intimately aware of nature every day: wind speed and direction, temperature, rain windows, etc. I am reminded that I must change my behavior daily to suit existing conditions. Daily drivers just get in their climate controlled car and go. I'm not saying that biking is the only way to remind yourself that social harmony comes from personal adaption rather than through (often impossible) external manipulation, but it's effective.
Anyway, today Montanna kicked my ass and then have me a present. I'm grateful for the lesson. I hope she gives me that same tailwind again tomorrow. ZOOOOOM!
P.S. perhaps a counterpoint to my rant: I did talk the town park attendant in to letting me stay in the park for free (instead of $7) because I'm not pitching a tent. So... Sometimes maybe it's OK to charm "nature?"
