Don't Ask Why

At first we ride to get in shape, or to fulfill some idealistic urge, or to save money, or because it's the easiest and most fun way to get around. Maybe we ride because we are curious about bikes, bike culture, or cycling fitness.

Then, after riding a while we ride for the immediate experience.  The sensations of movement and speed and of the body working.  The time spent with fellow cyclists.  The connection with the moment, the weather, the adventure, and the thrills.

When we have achieved a shift, like in fitness, or a capability of some kind, like riding a line on some single track, or of working a paceline, we ride to achieve a goal in the future.  Maybe a first race, or a lower resting heart rate, or a reduced waistline.  It could be to finish a century.  Maybe it's to finish with the pack on a club ride.  Maybe it's taking the sprint at the end of the ride.  Maybe it's to ride to work four days a week in June.  Perhaps it is to not start the car for the entire summer.

After we achieve a mastery of the bike, of the sprint, of the effort, we ride for the promises we have made ourselves - perhaps the promise of something that transcends the physical.  The promise that suffering will yield fitness, that emptying ourselves will yield fulfillment, that losing something will gain happiness, that accomplishment will bring pride.  And there may be some truth found.

But, for me, the most interesting thing happens after mastery.  The kind of thing that requires the shedding of accomplishment and pride.  That something is contentment.  Which perhaps is the thing we have been chasing all along.