WHO'S WORLD OF FANTASY WILL YOU DIVE INTO NEXT?

YOU HAVE PROBABLY heard the saying “behind every man there is a woman”. Similarly, at least in the cycling world, it is well known that behind every big name (such as Chris Froome or Tom Domoulin), there is an even larger team. I’m speaking about the domestiques, bike mechanics, directeur sportifs, soigneurs, etc.

But there is one category of persons that are hardly ever mentioned, and all cyclists be they pro or amateur have come across these persons.

Yes, you have done all your training, stuck to your diet, ridden your bike to the shop and back or even have commuted to and from work. You are all set to ride tomorrow, or participate in that race next week, or even wake up early to another gruelling training session. But hey, what about the mind?

You must have experienced some low days in your riding life; days where you lost the point of training or taking the bike out for a ride; days where you felt like selling your bike to perhaps buy that new phone or TV set (maybe it would be more beneficial); or days where you wished you had someone (perhaps your loved one or family member) at your side just before you started the race….

I am willing to bet that the reason why you still ride today, the reason why you kept the bike instead of purchasing the TV set, or even the reason you woke up and rode your bike the following day is because someone spoke to you.

This person was perhaps neither a cyclist nor did they know anything about cycling, but they knew you. The real you who loves getting on the bike everyday come rain or sunshine, the real you who loves the pain of climbing those damned hills faster than you did the previous day… the you that no one can ever be. And they knew how to get past all the murk of discouragement and despair and shine a light in the deepest, darkest cave that the you had buried itself.

The Bikiatrist – the person who rekindles one’s biking flame when all other lights go out.

(Dedicated to Sir Alex Tibwitta, Simon Blake, Nemo, Lisa Odula, Ng’endo Teresia, Jodee Misere, Mr. Muthiora, Mr. Mathenge)