Essay: On the 500th
(2020) Last year’s projections indicated our 500th article was within the possible vicinity of the Rapha Festive 500, an offseason challenge. If that were the case, the article would write itself. We would cross the threshold of 500 posted articles; only four articles previously discussed the amount of words we recorded during rides. During those projected days for a 500th article the biggest concern was riding in crummy weather for a stupid stamp-sized patch (which we still have yet to receive, mind you). Today we write this on the 42nd day of quarantine, no end in sight. Who saw that coming?
Speaking of 500s, there have been a host of cancellations: The Indy 500 has been relocated on the calendar, the Little 500 collegiate bike race was cancelled. Bike events and bike races have evaporated from our calendars, some rescheduled, some vacated altogether. Something is in play that is bigger than our collective selves, bigger to cancel some of the most entrenched experiences on our calendars. It is necessary to record these feelings for posterity.
Somewhere in the stack of major concerns, the bicycle reemerged as an outlet. Solitary rides around the Bucks farm land saw more riders with the full gamut of diversity. There were road cyclists of course. But there were hybrids, vintage, tag-a-longs, and kid cyclists hammering on nearly car-less roads. What a sight it was to see people relieving their stress over the past two months, smiles creeping in realizing just how much we need the bicycle in our life. It wouldn’t be outside of a possibility that some bikes had a small cloud of dust following them for the opening miles.
We are living in odd times. I once saw a bumper sticker that stated, “If you’re living like there is no god, you better be right.” That sentiment applies to the virus spreading through humanity. If you’re living like it’s a hoax, you better be right. Let’s also add: You better be right for the sake of yourself and everyone you have contacted. This isn’t a lecture: this sets up the frequent scenes throughout the ordeal where cycling buddies so badly want to join each other that they circle a road, talking, maintaining, but carry on their solo ways. They may want to restart the old ways henceforth, but they are not sure they are right.
Let us part ways through hope. Let us hope 100 articles from now Covid-19 has been eliminated. Let us hope our ways have returned to semi-normal. Maybe the Indy 500, the Kentucky Derby, and 5,000 bike races (in Bucks County alone!) will be happening on the Saturday nearest our 600th article. And let us hope the cycling industry had something to do with it, considering how many cycling apparel companies have stepped up to help the fight. We felt it was important to make Covid-19 a central focus to our 500th article. If you’ve rediscovered cycling as an outlet, you’re right. And welcome back.
