Moore - Mindful Thoughts for Cyclists

Finding balance on two wheels

Nick Moore

A family friend, sadly no longer with us, once said: If you want to know about something, write a book about it.

Let me begin with a disclaimer. This is not a how-to guide, or in any way definitive on cycling or mindfulness. Nor is it a manifesto, polemic or call to arms. What it does offer, I hope, is an alternative to the slew of books that exhort us to do more, achieve more, be more. These are thoughts; reflections on finding a mindful balance in cycling and, perhaps, in life itself. They are very much like the rides that inspired them: short, circular, with no end other than pleasure in mind.

The last decade has seen a massive resurgence in cyclings popularity in Britain and the US (it never went away in Europe) and its a joy to see so many taking to the road for the first time, or coming back to bike-riding after what is often many years away. And in many respects, theres never been a better time to be a cyclist. The problem is that cycling, like almost everything else in life, is now highly commoditized and skilfully marketed. These thoughts are intended to help you maintain a sense of balance and proportion amid the endless temptations, illusions and distractions. As I hope they show, cycling is replete with richness, diversity, pleasure and wisdom if we are truly present, and focus on what is.

If youre new to cycling, I hope this book will help you cultivate a healthy, balanced relationship with your bike from the get-go. For more experienced riders, it may resonate with your own search for a new direction, or bring something extra to your regular routine. There will probably be things you disagree with, or find simply dont work for you, but my hope is that youll find something, somewhere, in these thoughts that enables you to develop a deeper awareness as youre riding, and be fully present in the moment. It could be learning to embrace the heat, the cold, the rain. Dealing with punctures or getting lost. Noticing and appreciating the natural world. Getting up hills. Or simply being conscious of how your body and bike are working together as a single, beautiful, biomechanical entity.

I spent my thirties as a fairly typical Middle-aged Man In Lycra (MAMIL), but was forced to rethink my approach when, aged 40, I developed osteoarthritis in my knees. Suddenly, I could no longer concentrate solely on going faster and getting the miles in. I had to think about every pedal stroke, be minutely aware of gradients, gearing, my position on the bike, the pressure on my knee. I had to be fully aware of everything, every moment, otherwise things started to hurt. I didnt go looking for mindfulness. It found me.

After 20 years Ive started to learn what cycling truly means to me. I dont know, and would never presume to guess, what it might mean to you. Thats for you, and your bicycle, to find out mindfully together. Enjoy the ride.

Cycling is a game played out in circles: some concentric, some interlinked like a Venn diagram. The first and smallest is described by something you cant actually see: the spindle in the bottom bracket to which the crank arms are attached. The frame is usually held to be the heart of the bicycle, but in some respects, this humble metal rod is a closer analogue. Year after year, mile after mile, it works out of sight and out of mind, calmly keeping the rest of the mechanism in motion. We dont pay it any attention until it gives us trouble, and when it does, everything comes to a halt. Sometimes, it can be fixed; sometimes, the only option is to replace it. And the day will surely come when it fails altogether.

Equally vital, and similarly unsung, are the hubs. A mechanic friend of mine once told me the surest test of a hub is to put the bike in a work-stand, spin the wheel with your hand, then go and make a cup of coffee. If the wheels still turning when you come back, its a keeper.