Bright - The Undesirables Arrive

I took a sneak peek through Mr Magic's telescope last night from the bike shed in which I reside, only to discover that Bright is already beginning to be over run with -"Undesirables".

You know the ones. The Flouro Noddy Set. Those cyclists who champion leg and facial hair. Who revel in self-righteous pride at having no ability, style and really crap bikes. These are the riders who know that they own the Alpine, for they are the true Randonneurs!

They block the roads with their 100kg gas pipe clunkers, laiden with panniers full of army surplus survival equipment, their lighting systems which cost more than their bikes and make the sun obsolete as a light source. Impeding the progress of us normal cyclists with their massive egos, even bigger cassettes and holier than thou triple cranksets. I am forecasting an under-supply of humility and perspective.

These are the kind of riders who really impress me. Riders like Jono Lovelock who completed the Alpine in an astounding 6hrs and 19min at age 17. And is currently recovering from horrible injuries received while racing in China recently. Guys like Leigh who at past 50 can still knock over an Alpine in sub 8 hrs while hardly cracking a sweat. All this and they can look good while they're doing it!

Stop! Stop! Stop!

I don't believe most of what I've just written at all. I just love riding and hanging out with all riders. You are all the heart and soul of cycling and of Audax. I'm hot as hell under the collar because I just read that those riders who ride hard, look good, go fast, really aren't any good. They're not proper cyclists, just egos with big legs. Of course they go fast because they're young and fit and strong and have expensive bikes so their effort doesn't count.

I'm sorry Dave, I don't agree. We are all cyclists. Everyone of us busting a gut, pushing ourselves beyond what we ever thought possible. Straining until there's no more to give. Not to beat someone else, but to explore our own physical, mental and spiritual boundaries. To denigrate the ride of any of us is to diminish us all.

Yes, there are dickheads out there and lycra, shaved legs and carbon fibre seems to attract at least its fair share. Please don't let's discount every cyclist who ever rode beach road because there are some idiots riding there. The Alpine is not a race, it's also not a competition to see who can be the most sanctimonious and self-satisfied.

We're all cyclists and we are about to take on something awesome and beautiful. Let's enjoy it together instead of looking for ways to fight with each other.

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