defekt

There's a great quote from a pro rider in the '80's who described cycling as 97% suffering. Most of the time, you're in pain, you don't win, you're always traveling, you're tired, you don't make a lot of money, you can't maintain close relationships, and it's not much different from working in a fucking factory. But 3% of the time, things go well. You have good legs, you win, you experience some joy and satisfaction.

I've come to love the 97% as much as the 3%, because there is redemption and satisfaction in all that suffering. When you learn to love the 97%, the 3% doesn't feel that different. Still, it's a job, and sometimes it's your job to win on a certain day that matters to the sponsors or to the team, or maybe even to yourself.

Here's what 3% looked like recently for me:



Fucking right.