In my previous blog I mentioned the noise of living in a city such as Barcelona; the way I survive this is to go outdoors!
The good news for me is with easy access to the national parks by train, an adventure is merely some research and a train ticket away.
Always trying to find my happy place
“I am constantly amazed on my outdoor journeys, in search of the next good ride, how different things are to my old home of Cape Town. The joy of experiencing these differences drives me to share my wonder with you and makes me quite humble as I come to grips with this new culture and community of athletes keeping fit in the very same mountains I enjoy frequenting.”
One of the most distressing things for me is that none of the over 100 other riders that I encounter on a typical day out seems to notice the wonderful piece of sporting equipment beneath my legs that I am so very proud of.. In Cape Town I am so accustomed to staring out other rider’s bikes, sometimes making it difficult to stay on the path, that I just don’t understand the lack of admiration in Spain. Who has the prettiest bike on the day is more important than the QOM’s one collects, right? I am sure you can feel my distress at the total lack of admiration of my Santa Cruz, especially since most Spaniards seem to be riding 7 year old bikes with mid-range specs – haven’t they heard of carbon! And what do they talk about at their post ride coffee stops if not about upgrading to an “Eagle” drive chain?
And their attitude is all wrong! They don’t seem to be training for the next bigger, better, harder, longer, tougher stage race? Their day is not about who climbed the most meters or rode the furthest. They are simply happy being out in nature riding their bikes.
The biggest insult though, over not understanding how special my bike is, they don’t seem to notice what I am wearing either! Seriously do they not know how much my baggies cost, can they not see how perfectly this “imported” top hugs my figure, do they not realise how long I took to colour coordinate my riding outfit? Do they not realise that if they insist on wearing cycling clothes from the local “Mr Price Sports” (something no fashion conscious South African cyclist would be seen dead in) that no one will think they are a sponsored professional worthy of worship?
Reality Check
Seriously it is refreshing and, as I said, very humbling. But more than that it’s the respect for each other and all the users of the trails. As a mountain biker we are truly at the bottom of the pecking order, expensive Santa Cruz and colour coordinated kit or not. We give way to walkers, runners, cars and even electric scooters. Trail sharing is natural, if you encounter a walker on a piece of single track you patiently follow behind until they are able to safely let you pass (with a smile) – no rushing down at break neck speeds. Everyone is aware of the other trail users and not once have I been told to “ring my bell”. There is an environment of cohesion and trust with mutual respect and no animosity – shared trails.
Where are all the women?
“One woman on a MTB to every 50 Men???”
While I am enjoying my riding here, I do miss the presence of women on mountain bikes. Where are all the women athletes; the ratio seems to be one female to every 50 males? So while I bravely fly the feminine flag riding these beautiful mountains, where everyone I pass gives me a “hola, bueno dias” and talks to me happily in Spanish (do I look Spanish already?), I marvel at the fact that it cost me nothing but a train ticket and a lovely cup of coffee afterwards.
Get Inspired
While the trails in South Africa definitely seem to be better maintained, they could take a page from the Spanish books – safe and secure shared trails accessible to all who want to enjoy what the city has to offer by just being out there on their bikes for no other reason than it’s fun!
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