When you really think about it, road cycling is pretty stupid. We kit up in a thin layer of Lycra topped off with a Styrofoam lid, then go out and ride on public roads. We hammer around at full tilt mixing it with all sorts of motor vehicle traffic, some of it passing by at arms length travelling 100km/hr (60-70mph).

We quite literally go out and play in traffic!

What other sport or form of exercise has you fighting for space with cars, trucks, busses, taxis? You wouldn’t kick a football around on the main street in town. Perhaps running is similar to cycling, but even runners tend to avoid most roads or find a path off to the side.

As much as the safe cycling lobbyists shout that roads weren’t just made for cars, in many parts of the world that simply is not true. Here in Australia for example, most roads were definitely designed with only motor vehicles in mind. Very little thought has been put into cyclists or pedestrians for that matter (either as recreation or active transport). But still, we ride.

We claim our space on the road even when it seems the world is against us. We get out there and enjoy ourselves, conquer the climbs, breath in the (hopefully) fresh air, enjoy the descents and ever-changing views. For whatever reason deep inside each of us, we love the open road.

Silly really, isn’t it… 😉