SpoonBoy

Every now and then I get a song stuck in my head on repeat. It normally isn’t long before I imagine myself riding to it. Driving along, Sitting in the office, catching the train; the world just seems to pass on by while I star in my own private Mountain Bike video. Lately that song has been “Smokes & Mirrors”, a remix by dj RJD2 of the song “Who Knows”. It’s not the first time I’ve heard a remix of this song, Quantic Soul Orchestra for one has had a pretty decent go at it, but probably the first time it’s really been stuck in my head like this…

And what’s brought this mix into the limelight for me? Oddly, given my previous paragraph, a YouTube video of Matt Gilman that has to be seen to believed:

Which leaves one with the fortunate position of never needing another muse again. Left on the couch thinking “I could never possibly…” or even just “nah don’t feel like it…” 5 mins of youtube action should see you back on your way!! But then again, I concede I may be a little different in my own right, for instance there are those who watch 24 Solo and are left confident in the knowledge that 24hrs on a bicycle is really a silly thing to be doing. Then there are those who watch Craig Gordon destroying himself to the point of needing a few days recovery in l’hotel de hospital, and some how still walk away going “hells yeah…”. I generally fall into that latter category (including the destroying myself part). Which is probably why, after spending nearly 4 months completely off the bike, I found myself entering the Kona 24 in a couple of months. If I hadn’t found recovering from a torn calf hard enough, I’m now also trying to put together enough fitness for a Solo 24hr effort (amongst other races)

4 months off has in some ways been great! Everytime I hit the trails or get out on the bike, it’s like I’m reinventing the experience all over again! But it’s amazing how in such a short time things move on. New faces emerge, old faces get even faster, the road ahead seems just that little bit longer! The focus has changed too! no longer attacking enduro’s with the aim of an attempted podium (I did say “attempted” there :), I’m finding I’m just trying to make sure I make it to the end without completely blowing up and enjoy the moment. Shell shock? or just lacking the battle hardening I’ve carried through in previous years? Either way, with hordes of new faces attacking the longer formats with gusto (and speed!) and that last 5-10% of lost fitness seeming so far away, perhaps a little refocus is not a bad thing.

For the moment though, my sunday is presenting itself with either time in the office or a casual jaunt out on the single speed. yet somehow, body still aching after yesterdays 4hr, A relaxing day and possible dinner with friends is looking awefully appealing! 4hrs on the ergo however, as some of my weather bound friends are proposing (and theres a few of them!!), does not…

…or maybe I just need to check behind the couch for more of that commitment stuff?

Happy Trails!

Cheers
Craig