Its symptoms are embarrassing and debilitating. We spend ridiculous amounts of time fantasizing about bike riding. We do this secretly and constantly, while we are pretending to be working, concentrating, or listening. This behavior is not appreciated by mainstream non-cyclists. The disease steadily transforms us from normal, productive members of society into facades behind which live useless daydreamers.
What makes this tour such a powerful salve? Its brilliantly conceived formula. It provides the optimum blend of ingredients needed to achieve the rare and elusive "Perfect Bicycling Day".
Wake up in camp. Pack heavy stuff into a duffel bag, carry it to the truck, and forget about it. Dinner -- to be served in some distant place -- is the day's main goal. We have our bikes and our friends, and we have all day to get there. We have maps showing all the nicest routes. Can anyone imagine a simpler, better lifestyle?
The days are full of prime pedaling and all the pleasures that go with it: easy miles yakking with friends; fast miles in smooth pacelines; pristine mountain streams with secret swimming holes and rope swings; the quiet coolness of the forest roads; the bright light of the open country; the gray bluster of the coast; the tough battles with the big climbs, and the big views and thrilling descents awarded as prizes.
The evenings are just as fine: full of feasting, relaxing, and regaling each other with tall tales of the day's adventures. Look around, and there is a great group of friendly folks, many of them old friends, all enjoying the same glow.
So instead of just imagining or dreaming about the perfect day, we are actually able to live it out. When one perfect day draws to a close, we know that tomorrow will bring another one. Each day the simple formula is the same, and each day the outcome is the same: a "Perfect Bicycling Day".
Jeff Olsen