What's the Point in Racing?

[Bearbonesnorm]

That's a bit morbid Stu

No, not at all Bob. I love the futility of life

[jameso]

I like having the a goal - it helps me get on the bike in the bad weather knowing that the people I am racing against will be doing the same.

I can relate to this, many will. There's also something that's about 'doing the right thing even when no-one's looking', ie I'll go out and do 'training' or ride in the rain simply because my riding is about what I think or how I value what I can do, rather than anyone elses opinion. I'm not immune to external pressure of course but maybe where the balance is shapes where on the Bimbler<>Type A Triathlete scale you are.

[ZeroDarkBivi]

That sounds like all the symptoms of an addiction.

This is definitely a factor, for me anyway. I have been obsessed with gathering and tracking data since I started racing sub standard-sandwiches over a decade ago. Even when I used to go hill-walking, it was always a mission to bag as many peaks as possible, perhaps to maximise the limited time available, or maybe because that's just how I'm wired. And then there was the KIMM / OMM; not surprised so many BP racers also do this madness, as it is a similar simple thrill of being self sufficient and entirely responsible for not only your performance, but to some extent, your survival. As the infamous 2008 OMM, demonstrated, most of us involved in such events have evolved to make good decisions in that respect. Add the uncontrollable factor of traffic, and the outcome is far less assured.

There probably is no point to racing but is there actually a point to anything we do? After all, everything we do is simply killing time and passing the days until it's time to die

Fair observation, which is why I am questioning the mundane job I waste most of my time doing when there is so much adventure to be had outside. I expect the Bears and other wild animals, striving to survive each day, would think our obsession with making life harder than necessary for 'fulfilment' is complete madness...!

[Mariner]

No, not at all Bob. I love the futility of life [/quote]

There is a Zen story that goes – I used to feel bad when I won at chess so I started to let my opponents win.
Then I felt bad because beating me made them feel really good and I knew I had let them win.
So I studied Zen with a master for fifteen years.
He taught me how to develop my pawns.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Fair observation, which is why I am questioning the mundane job I waste most of my time doing when there is so much adventure to be had outside.

You've got to fill your days with something and the only thing you'll take to the grave are memories ... so may as well make a few good ones.

I expect the Bears and other wild animals, striving to survive each day, would think our obsession with making life harder than necessary for 'fulfilment' is complete madness...!

I'm sure they would as I'm sure, would our ancestors. However, I believe that there can be a certain joy to be found in suffering, perhaps it feeds our primitive survival instincts ... I sometimes wonder whether the western world might be a happier place if more people inhabiting it discovered the joy of misery.

[RIP]

"obsessed with gathering and tracking data"...."bag as many peaks as possible"..." - I knew it would come down to that in the end - yes, the Train Spotter Theory Of Bikepacking . Pretty much every UK male hobby has that "obsessive collector" (*) root - fishing, football, motors, stamps, peaks, tussocks, everything.... The French have no idea what we're playing at, they'd rather sit in a cafe philosophising about collecting....

(*) if it's not got that at its root, a UK male hobby will have "pottering about in a shed" at its root.....

[Bearbonesnorm]

I sometimes wonder whether the western world might be a happier place if more people inhabiting it discovered the joy of misery.

I think I should probably point out that I'm not talking about plague or famine here ... simply, experiencing been properly cold, hungry or wet for a while would suffice.

[voodoo_simon]

I sometimes wonder whether the western world might be a happier place if more people inhabiting it discovered the joy of misery.

I think I should probably point out that I'm not talking about plague or famine here ... simply, experiencing been properly cold, hungry or wet for a while would suffice.

This is quite true even on a basic level, a really rubbish shower at the end of a muddy, filthy ride is amazing. Whilst a good, powerful shower after a day in the 'office' is always a bit m'eh

[Scattamah]

To know real joy, you have to know misery. You have no gauge otherwise.

Other bollocks may also work for you. :)

Greetz

S.

[ScotRoutes]

Generally it's a continuum from bimbling/pottering all the way through to blowing out of every orifice racing.

This. "Not racing" =/= bimbling.

[pistonbroke]

I'm firmly in the Tom Simpson "something to aim at" school, I treat racing and events where speed and stamina are key as deadlines where I need to train to a level that won't embarrass me. I normally work on peaking for 2 or 3 A races a year. Feeling that I've done the right amount of prep serves to reduce the self doubt that can corrode my performance but it's a fine line between getting physically and mentally fit and overcooking and feeling stale.
It's definitely less of a chore living where we do to get out in nice weather year round but we've also brought a bit of Northern grit with us which definitely impresses our Spanish friends who are amazed by what we do at our age.