‘and if we must die, let it be riding’

crankpunk’s been sat here feeling a bit gloomy as a result of yet another injury that means more time off the bike, which means more consoling junk food and even more huffing and puffing to be done when i finally do get back in the saddle. then i came upon this fantastically wonderful short film from Spain which not only compelled me to write this and brought a tear or three to my weary eyes, but also made me realise i have nothing to complain about.

it reminded me also of a paragraph from the novel The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay (who passed away this week), whom i quoted once before in my race diary on VeloNews from the Tour of Oman. i remembered it when the woman in the video says ‘sometimes there’s no one to tell you what you can achieve.’ this is so true – it’s funny though how there’s usually someone around to tell you what you can’t achieve. never listen to these people. they know nothing about the world.

here is that great quote:

The Power of One is above all things the power to believe in yourself, often well beyond any latent ability you may have previously demonstrated. The mind is the athlete; the body is simply the means it uses to run faster or longer, jump higher, shoot straighter, kick better, swim harder, hit further, or box better. Hoppie’s dictum to me, “First with the head and then with the heart,” was more than simply mixing brains with guts. It meant thinking well beyond the powers of normal concentration and then daring your courage to follow your thoughts.

‘Daring your courage to follow your thoughts.’ hell yeah.

enjoy.

the film production company shot footage at the Paralympics in London in the summer and are editing now. you can visit the website here to get updates and to learn more about this great project…

more here:

Author: Lee Rodgers

Cycling coach, race organiser, former professional cyclist and the original CrankPunk.

Leave a Reply