I've gotta tell you my tale,
So I look upwards...
Close now.
I knew that things were good. I was riding well. I had absolutely no fear that ‘this one may defeat me’. My only slight disappointment was that ‘this was it, where do you aim for after?’.
Bourg D’Oisans is the famous village at the foot of L’Alpe D’Huez. This was it, I was here! I hit myself, recognising that I had dreamt of this!
I could stop and take it in. I was 22, I knew that I had years ahead of me to repeat, but this was special. I knew that this was one of my big ‘life goals’, perhaps the toughest to achieve. I had graduated in design, in 2005. I had seen Radiohead (my favourite band) at Glastonbury 2003, and cycling, this was it!
I was a ‘grimpeur’ (or ‘climber’). I knew that I had finally found a big advantage of being so skinny and lightweight (I was)! This was it. I knew that other climbs existed, but L’Alpe remained supreme, because although shorter, it remained steeper throughout!
You don’t see anything until you reach the edge of town, and the ‘wall’ in front has 21 hairpins…
I was in heaven!…
There was a buzz of fans and tourists everywhere.
As I approach the first hairpin, I knew that I was in love with this place. Respect… That was ok, but I knew I had twenty more ahead!
Around the second, I knew that I wanted to ride at my own pace, there was no way I was going to wait for anyone (we’d meet at the top).
Corner after corner. Realisation… I was living my dream!
Through the ‘Dutch corner’. ER WOW!!!!
Sorry, can’t stop!…
Above the tree line, one can finally see the final hairpins, above!
I admit that there was a problem. The final few hairpins would be closed off, for the race! So I diverted off. I took ‘the back road’, looping up to the finish line another way. Length and gradient were similar to the race route, and both started and finished at the same points on the mountain, so I had not cheated!
Fortunately I was experienced visiting the Tour De France, recognising iconic signs and logos, and directions!
I felt concern however, I not only knew that the only way was down literally… I had done it! I was on course to graduating a second time, I loved my girlfriend and we both knew/understood each other well. I had raced, and I had just cycled up the ‘Crown Jewel’. What do I aim for now?…
I was only able to ponder this query for about two and half months. About eight and half months later I awoke from a coma.
Lauren Laverne played this song on BBC 6Music, at about 9.30am, this morning!
One of my all-time favourites, I STILL play it's entire album, endlessly! This post's title is a lyric!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jmf9UQ3YIs
Daily...
I go to a coffee shop... to have a coffee!
Coffee is needed!
A shot of espresso is what is needed.
A shot of espresso is what is had. Alone, necked, then I am out.
Another song that stood out to me, to share here...
India Arie - Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq86e4Fhja0
It was released in 2001!
Twenty years old, but the amazing lyrics still stand out, reaffirming many untold/unspoken issues that too many of us still face in this 'new century'.
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend of how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India.Arie
When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's suppose to be
And I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes, I'm loving what I see
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India.Arie
Am I less of a lady if I don't wear panty hose
My momma said a lady ain't what she wears but what she knowsâ?¦
But I've drawn the conclusion, it's all an illusion
Confusion's the name of the game
A misconception, a mass deception,
Something gotta change
Now don't be offended this is all my opinion
Ain't nothing that I'm saying law
This is a true confession
Of a life learned lesson
I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in when you fit in
Go on and shine
Clear your mind
Now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
Cause everything's gonna be alright
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India.Arie
Keep your fancy drink, and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive cars and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your crystal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need you silicone, I prefer my own
What god gave me is just fine
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India.Arie
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