Cycling away from oblivion
Thoughts on a chaotic world
By Robert Thorpe & Diane Vilarem
The cycling world is in flux, and in truth, it seems to match the chaos and crazy politics of the world in which we currently live. Social media tells a different story of course; as too many people lead false lives, with false smiles and false facades that hide the reality of lives that might actually be quite pitiful and lonely. Too frequently, people seem to feel as though their own problems aren’t worthy of the attention of others – even supposed friends. We’re told to keep our emotions to ourselves; to have that stiff upper lip, when all around us the world is in utter chaos and people like the Prince of Wales are thankfully trying to change the perception, and rightfully telling us to be more open about our mental health and well-being.
No, we can’t disrupt the status quo of a social media-led world – to change the sublime serenity and stupidity of a tranquil charm that in actuality doesn’t really exist in any context. Yes, the world is fucked up, I’m afraid to say; but thankfully, cycling is my solace and my go-to place – that and hiking. The places I escape to are reached by bikes or boots, in order avoid those who strut and pose and smile inanely and hold nothing but greed and arrogance and selfish motives in their hearts.
Challenging the madness of social media
Let’s get real, shall we – we all have ups and downs in life. Often, it seems that the downs are too frequent and I try to find an escape. Many people find their escapism in social media, where cycling images defy their real lives and allow them a theatrical existence and a Z-lister fame. However, when the camera shutter stops clicking, these people are often pitiful and nothing like the image portrayed. Men trying to be the cool and testosterone-fuelled cycling Gods, stretched out forward and unshaven and trying to look moody. When their image is taken and the bike is put away, however; they’ll probably return to their lonely world, where they sit at a café, isolated from the broken families and chaos they’ve created and maybe cruelly treated, as they leave a trail of destruction in their wake.
Pouting influencers at the other side of the cycling coin, seem to strut their stuff and bake themselves in too many layers of caked creams, creating ridiculous poses and pointed toes that would look laughable on a cat-walk, let alone a bike – and lonely watchers click ‘like’ and give them the false fame they crave, whilst the real cyclists and athletes, or those simply wanting to share life in the raw, are left alone in the shadows. This adverse impact on genuine women athletes and leisure cyclists causes a sewer of messages to float around the internet, as women have to constantly deal with the disgusting influx of unwarranted advances and ‘dick-pics’ sent to them by those same perverts who keep clicking ‘like’ and who follow the pouting Z-Listers in their tens of thousands. The result: more and more mental wellbeing issues to deal with by women cyclists, because social media can’t sort its shit out and ban the boys with their dicks out. No, the algorithm loves followers and likes – it simply doesn’t want to have to determine which ones shouldn’t be counted or even allowed online.
Yes, the world is a narcissistic place these days, and yet… here’s the positive aspect – albeit small. Within this minefield we can still, quite frequently find those amazing people with their faces and eyes shining out from the over-populated pathetic elements of a world that seems more confusing and cruel, day by day. That’s the irony of all of this, and the general distaste that social media can generate far too often. You can, if you’re prepared to navigate the sewer, find those amazing and wonderfully real people and genuine friends, and begin to share real and meaningful lives with some truly inspiring people. Social media can still – albeit in a smaller way than it was first planned – be a place where like-minded INFJs and altruistic thinkers, social philosophers and artists can meet and develop friendships and relationships that have a positive impact and real meaning – especially if these relationships involve cycling, the wild and simply beautiful mountains, art and culture.
Mental well-being and the positive effects of cycling
Why is this relevant to cycling lifestyle? Quite simply, it’s our existence in this changing world of actors and false-friends that drives us towards the adventure, the exploration and the escapism of cycling. Those of us in the silent majority – yes, majority – who have allowed the loud and proud and painted fools to take their place on the global social media stage, simply want to ride our bikes into the unknown. Into that place that takes us away from the wars and conflicts that proliferate the news these days. That world where orange-painted idiots are worshiped instead of restrained in strait jackets and secure institutions. No, we look instead towards nature and the opportunity to feed our souls and to refresh our spirits before we are once again forced to live our daily lives in and amongst this chaotic mess called modern society.
Cycling for the soul
I’ve always sought challenges and sought solitude. As a rock climber and mountaineer, those wild and rugged places filled with towering peaks, seemed to call me forward. Mountain bikes allowed me further escapism and freedom from the world; and road bikes gave me adventure and silent speed. As I enter new phases of my life, my artistic mind seems to finally find solace and true peace, and I’m finally able to determine the meaning of true friendship. I look into the eyes and into the souls of people, and hopefully I see something that wants to defy the new normal. As cyclists, we’ve always adapted and created our own spaces. Today, it seems more important than ever for us to do so. There are no quiet places anymore, and unsocial media is filled with fear, filled with false stars and poseurs whose will use, abuse and throw us into the trash once a purpose is served. No, I’ll take a quiet ride into the mountains any day.
For, as long as too many people keep voting for despots and orange painted idiots, I’ll feel safer riding into the unknown, accompanied by close friends who share a love for adventure, life and reality – a love for being truthful, to ourselves and to others. I’ll be reassured that cycling is a sub-culture within this awful, cruel and selfish world; and I’ll be comforted by knowing that it’s a place where I can hopefully share time and love with like-minded people all over this still quite beautiful – in places – world. I’ll continue to explore new trails with new people, and sit down and drink coffee and hot chocolate and eat carrot cake, as we jointly tell the crazy and cruel elements of modern life to go f#ck themselves! We’ll be busy riding into a future filled with life, love, culture, nature, real friendships and bikes!
Diane Vilarem is a qualified Yoga teacher and has several Yoga blogs here on the Pedalnorth website. As well as the obvious physical benefits of Yoga, it’s also good as a spiritual healing tool, giving you time to pause and maybe to meditate a little. Health and wellbeing is a critical aspects of all of our lives, and we’re going to be taking more of a focus on it this year, so keep checking in.
