Buddhism 101 for Recreational Cyclists
According to the legend, Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a bunyan tree. Well, while riding up the nasty Cedar Mountain recently, I realized the Four Noble Truths of climbing:
- There is Suffering: every inch of your body is crying out loud “stop!” and yet you continue to pedal.
- There is a Cause for the Suffering: you chose to ride up the gnarly hill/mountain in the neighborhood to satisfy your own ego and for the bragging rights. You put your Ego ahead of reason.
- Cessation of Suffering: yes, there is an end to the suffering and you can realize it in this life time.
- The Eight Fold Path to end the suffering: Before you choose the next ride
- Know that you are not a Marco Pantani or an Andy Schleck
- Know that you generate only about 175 watts and not 350 watts, on the average
- Know that riding up the steepest hill does not necessarily make you a stronger or better rider
- Ask yourself: what is the purpose of this ride?
- Know that gears are there to be used
- Know that the Wind is not really your friend on a long winding climb
- Know that the pain may not go away even after you stop pedaling
and the most important of all
- Forget the Four Noble Truths; Ride Anyway!