Zen and the Art of the Slow Lane

The Dilemma

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance tells us that it is not the end point of the journey that should be pushing us forward as this detracts from us enjoying the journey for its own sake. In many ways my approach to cycling has embraced this ideal. When jumping on a bike you are faced with two choices: speeding off as fast as you can to get it over with quickly or plodding along to enjoy the ride. My approach to cycling has been to undertake a journey with as little effort (and thus speed as possible) as I like to enjoy the ride. However, every moment I spend slowly enjoying the lanes of Devon is time not spent at work or not turning up on time for a meeting. Thus, the title of this blog is a little misleading: it should be called 'life in the slowish lane' or 'life in the medium-paced lane' as I end up working harder than I would on a non-work ride. That said, it will never be 'life in the fast lane' as that would imply too much work. I'm quite happy exchange a hello with the serious cyclists as the whiz past in a blur of colour.

SPEC

The Bike: Specialised Sirus Sport



FRAME
Specialized Sirrus A1 Premium aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, compact design, hourglass speedstays, integrated headset
FORK
Sirrus carbon legs & crown, alloy steerer
HEADSET
Cage bearings integrated HS. w/ 20mm of spacers w/ top cap
STEM
Specialized Elite-Set, 3D forged alloy, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt 31.8mm clamp
HANDLEBARS
2014 alloy, flat bar, 5-degree bend
TAPE
Body Geometry Comfort Grips open-end with plug, alloy barend
FRONT BRAKE
Forged 6061 aluminum Mini V-Brake, 85mm linear pull, w/ cartridge pads
REAR BRAKE
Forged 6061 aluminum Mini V-Brake, 85mm linear pull, w/ cartridge pads
BRAKE LEVERS
Forged alloy
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano Altus
REAR DERAILLEUR
Shimano Alivio
SHIFT LEVERS
Shimano EF-50, EZ Fire
CASSETTE
Shimano HG-40, 8-speed, 11-32t
CHAIN
KMC Z-51
CRANKSET
Shimano FCM-191
CHAINRINGS
48 x 38 x 28T
BOTTOM BRACKET
Sealed cartridge, square taper, 68mm
PEDALS
Silver cage/black body, w/ black toe clips and strap
FRONT WHEEL
REAR WHEEL
RIMS
Alex S500, aluminum, sleeve joint, CNC machined sidewalls
FRONT HUB
Forged alloy, sealed, QR, 32h
REAR HUB
Forged alloy, double-sealed, cassette, QR, 32h
SPOKES
Stainless 14g
FRONT TIRE
Specialized All Condition Armadillo, 700x28c, wire bead, 60TPI w/ Flak Jacket protection
REAR TIRE
Specialized All Condition Armadillo, 700x28c, wire bead, 60TPI w/ Flak Jacket protection
INNER TUBES
Standard presta valve
SADDLE
Body Geometry Sonoma, 155mm width
SEATPOST
Alloy, two-bolt clamp, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER
Alloy, 31.8mm
NOTES
Chain stay protector, chain catcher, clips and straps, derailleur hanger, clear coat, owners manual

On your bike...

Today is the brief account of how I came to be cycling to work and some of the trials I have encountered so far. It all started with wanting to live in place with more community than the city. A place where people say hello and look out for each other. A place where the children can feel safe. A place where we can connect to nature. A place where the pace of life is more relaxed. So in late May we moved to our house in a small town (a village really but it likes to call itself a town) in the Devon countryside.

Faced now with a 10.9 mile commute to work I had three choices: going by car (horrible - see the first blog entry); going by bus (good for reading but expensive); or cycling (wonderful - see the first blog entry). It all started off so well. The cycle ride was wonderful, refreshing, and peaceful . All that I needed was a new bike more suited to the longer route. So after a couple of weeks I ordered a new bike through the work cycle scheme.

On the very same day disaster ... I tangled with a car. Car dented, bike written off, Duncan only bruised and cut (a very lucky man!!). My poor old bike. I was going to keep it as a spare. It served me so well for seven years.

The next three weeks were a waiting game. When was the new bike going to arrive? I'm lucky to be alive, should I get on a bike again? Why is the bus so expensive? Then a week ago today my new Specialist Sirrus Sport was ready to be picked up (more to come on this later). I catch the bus into Exeter. Pick up the bike and cycle to work. My confidence has gone. The traffic scares me. I see danger everywhere . Can I do this? Wouldn't t be better to use the bus? At the end of the working day I start cycling home. The bike is great; comfortable and light with little road drag. How did I do the journey on my old bike? This bike is a joy to cycle. There is one slight drawback. Me. My confidence is shot. I go so slowly I might as well walk. I'm scared as I cycle through Exeter. Then I reach the lanes. I start to feel better, although I still take it easy and am cautious.

The next day is better. The headwind is a killer. Not far off gale force. Blows over a tree in our garden. But the countryside inspires me, my confidence slowly returns. The rain is lashing down and the wind is howling. It's good the feel the elements. I feel alive.

The opening

Live in a bubble, be stressed, rush, pollute, get fat, pour money down the drain, shout, sit in traffic, get angry, isolate, destroy, experience the artificial, scorn the real, switch off...

or...

Experience the elements, feel alive, breathe, ponder, deliberate, think, be free, connect to your surroundings, be calm, be happy, be slow, peddle, chat to follow travellers, see the detail, see the whole...


Which would you chose?

My way is the latter, so please forgive my indulgences as I record some experiences and thoughts from my (almost daily) 20 mile bicycle commute through the Devon lanes.