THEY ARE ALL GONE, LIKE GONE, GONE
I don’t see them anymore.
I have gone from seeing hundreds and hundreds of them a day to ZERO.
…Cyclists wearing ‘The Kit.’
Them.
I was on the ‘Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’ today for about ninety minutes.
Not one.
Zero.
Just me.
Lap after glorious lap.
I did not see one on the ride there.
I did not see one on the ride home.
I did not see one on yesterday’s ride.
I did not see one the day before that.
I will not see one tomorrow.
In fact, it has been a few weeks.
They have all disappeared.
They think it is over.
They say it is over.
It is not.
It is the second week in November.
It is cold, but not cold, COLD.
Each day is between five and nine degrees Celsius.
The sky is blue.
The sun is shining.
The clarity is outstanding.
Some days are blustery.
On other days, no wind at all.
In my introduction to DERAILLEUR, my original post, I wrote about the beauty of freeing yourself of the ‘rules’ that go along with cycling.
The rules that do not work for you.
The rules that inhibit you from becoming the cyclist you were meant to become.
The number one rule is ‘The Kit.’
‘The Kit’ is useless when it is cold.
That is why they think it is over.
There are cyclists that will disagree.
But where are they?
The roads are empty.
The paths are empty.
The track is empty.
I liberated myself from that rule.
Why follow a rule that stops you from riding?
Why follow a rule that constrains you?
Why follow a rule that constrains you from becoming the cyclist you want to be?
The cyclist you were meant to be.
The cyclist who rides alone in November all cozy warm.
Liberate yourself from ‘The Kit.’
More than liberate, ditch it.
Liberate and ditch it for at least one month a year.
NOVEMBER
You don’t know what you are missing.
Ride in wonderful November cozy comfort.
Fleece-lined track pants.
T-shirt.
Merino wool sweater.
Warm wool jacket.
Buttoned to the top.
Warm gloves.
All tucked in.
Sure, it may look like I am riding to a ‘function,’ but I am still riding.
I am cozy, COZY.
The wind does not get in.
My nose runs.
My eyes water.
But I am still riding.
Riding with the world as my own.
Riding in the middle of November on a beautiful sunny day.
In one way, I want to yell, ‘Ditch ‘The Kit.’ It is November. Be content you can still ride and ride in something nice and cozy warm.’
In another way, I want to keep my mouth shut.
I think you know why.
I am alone, I am still riding, and this beautiful November day is mine.
Oh, wait a second, I forgot the best part.
When I get home, a pot of tea and endless oatmeal cookies.
THEY ARE ALL GONE, LIKE GONE, GONE.
Insert warm blanket emoji here.
‘Dress Confidently. Ride Boldly. Ride YOU’
*NOTE; You may see this post on DERAILLEUR and DERAILLEUR AESTHETIC. I thought it could go on both.