We humans like to create events, primarily to signify the passing of time. It's soon to be Christmas again, birthdays each year, anniversaries, memorials, Sunday roasts.
Some of these are mandatory, important, significant. Some may be a force of habit.
We also set events for ourselves. To add to our experience, to challenge ourselves, to show off over a beer; 'Yep, in training for the marathon in May next year.' 'Marathon! Impressive! 'Nuther beer?'
I know there is an element of this in the reason I set goals, complete events. It's interesting dinner conversation. I also keeps life interesting, something to do, keeps me fit, focused perhaps.
In truth, I do lots of these things in search for the moment.
The moment is hard to explain. It generally takes place in areas of natural beauty, but not exclusively. It can inadequately be described as a feeling, a sense, that all is right in the world. That things make sense.
I remember walking in the French Alps, and spending a good day and a half struggling through a storm. I was wet through, feeling miserable. I found a free camp spot away from the trail on the side of a hill and after setting up my wet tent, I decided to climb further up the hill it was perched on. As I walked the clouds spread somewhat to reveal some blue sky, and the sun broke through. I looked back and saw my tent, alone in the middle of a clearing, with jagged, snow covered peaks looming behind. I sat and watched.
That was a moment. The trudging of the previous few days, the villages I walked through, even many of the people I met are a vague recollection. Even now, some 20 years later, I can close my eyes and be taken back there with a vivd reality. To the moment.
So I guess I do things in a search for those moments. Some are stronger than others, more alive. But they each are worth searching for. Worth the planning of a trip, the drive, the physical exertion of a race, or walk.
A Race.
Yes, the Scott 24 hour Mountain bike race at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra was a great event. Our four person team of the Ricey's and Laneos had the right elements of enthusiasm and challenge. We didn't take things too seriously but at the same time rode a lot over the 24 hour period.
The trails at Stromlo are world class; challenging switchback climbs, interesting features and flowing descents. Even after several hours on the bike, some of the flowing lines still brought a smile to your face.
Rain over the preceding few days meant that some of the course was a mud fest. More than once I feared my drive chain was going to seize up from the constant mud and water, but apart from the odd sticky moment and the horrible sound, it kept going.
I cold night made things difficult and Ricey and I decided to rest up for a couple of hours (which also showed our bikes that we did love them!) Falling asleep in my chair I tried to comprehend the super human strength the solo riders displayed in simply not stopping.
As with all mountain bike endurance races, the atmosphere around transition and out on the course was great. Friendly chats with other riders, polite requests to overtake, and genuine concern for riders who may have encountered difficulties are all hallmarks of these kind of events and, along with the fact that you can ride along the same tracks with the best riders in the world, at the same time, really make these events special.
My last lap was early on the Sunday morning, and as I headed alone along an open track a fair way from transition, I noticed a photographer on the side. He took a photo as I passed, of me with the sunrise in the background. Must be a good sunrise, I thought. For a photographer to be out here at this time of the morning.
The track looped back on itself a little further along, and I saw for myself the sunrise that I was framed by only a few hundred metres back. There I was, one of, if not the, biggest mountain bike races in the world, but feeling like I was in the middle of no where. Sweeping along flowing single track as I glimpsed at an incredible sunrise.
A moment worth chasing.
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