Ian-Ross Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Only one other sport provides me as much joy as cycling, and that is paddling my K1 down a beautiful river where you only hear the birds in the trees, or the wind playing over the grass on the banks of the river, with the noisy rushing water of the next rapid awaiting you. These are the things that provide quality of life. I once asked my coach why paddling attracts such low numbers. He said that if it was an easy sport, everyone would be doing it. I must confess that the logistics of paddling down a river prevents me doing it more. This post encapsulates what’s great about endurance sports. There are some very special places out there, and many moments to be enjoyed, but the entrance fee is payable in sweat or in the accumulation of skills over a period of time; Experiences that can’t be bought. Mountain biking and running provide easily accessible (daily) enjoyment, but some “naturally” powered sports, such as kite/wind surfing, skiing and kayaking in my opinion, are on a higher level. Blasting a kilometre off-shore in 30 knts in the company of flying fish and dolphins, or paddling a river littered with kingfishers, hippos, mambas and rapids are to me, the pinnacle of what’s available, but these require just the right water level, or perfect climatic conditions, and these are not available every day. Golf at times provides pure elation, but the amount of time expended on achieving such joy is to most, too high a price to pay. Tomorrow morning, when I wake up, the full (nearly) moon will be setting as I step onto the beach to start my run (bike next day) in its silvery light, and about half way through, the sun will rise across the ocean…. Accessible, compact, predictable and awesome; cycling and running are difficult for any other game or sport to match.
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