2011 Streak 128/365: Cycle: 22.5 miles, Time - 2hr 35min, Weather - cold wind, scuttling clouds, sometimes overcast, sometimes patches of blue.
Time for a final riding of our Ashridge route before my friend returns to New Zealand. Just one last time.
This ride was an important part of both our lives - a way to work out a number of frustrations we had with our respective jobs. A time when we could put everything away and concentrate on the important business of negotiating tree roots, picking the right line on a rutted track, pushing up hills and seeing how much you could let-go when going down. Off-road riding requires far more active attention than road riding and far, far more than running. When you are a bit oppressed or anxious about other things happening in you life your thinking can become cloudy. Periods of clear concentration can refresh the mind and allow you to carry on.
I don't think the power of mentally engaging, physical exercise can be overestimated. It can have a huge effect.
A small example of how it also has an after-life as both of us have used the route as a mental exercise. For me it has been at the dentist, when having some uncomfortable work done - I tried to picture the various part of the ride and imagine the line and the landscape. He used it as an alternative to counting sheep, to get to sleep, during a particularly anxious time.
It also helps that the landscape is beautiful. The picture is of a favourite section when we emerge from the woods to see this wonderfully sweeping, open countryside. A nice piece of downhill that can make you whoop with pleasure.
2 comments:
Now THAT really is an amazing downhill ride!
Lovely view. It's quite flat round here but when I do get to a higher bit, I certainly appreciate it.
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