Elemental...

When I was a child, my first real taste of freedom was when I had access to my first bicycle. I left my trusty three wheeler for the balancing act of riding a bike just like my older siblings. I have no doubt I traveled all the streets of each town my family landed in.

It has been proven the bicycle is the most efficient form of travel but the experience transcends this mundane plane. I love riding my trusty road bike down the pavement with no cares except to make the combined man/machine move down the road. Riding a mountain bike is okay but requires more attention to rocks, logs and debris. Not as pure for me.

Being a "tarhead" is the ultimate bike experience. Finishing the century ride with "nothing left in the tank", legs cramping when trying to stand and sprint at the end. The magic of riding a bike is elemental, serene, competitive, pushing limits, feeling the pain of effort, climbing endlessly, wondering how far you can push your straining muscles and mind. Tight pacelines with trusted friends. "Screaming" down a long descent, tires barely keeping contact, knees gripping the top tube, hands and body tucked on the curled bars. Pain is weakness leaving the body.

It hurts so good.