Okay, I get it - we all tend to view things from our own little corner of the world. As a runner (5k to multiple marathons), now somewhat of a biker (my wife and I stepped up from Sears best to Trek Fx's, now out with the “true” crazies – whew, what a different world from runners!!!). It’s really interesting how taking a cross-section of the general population, and immersing them in these extremely popular activities, can affect their behavior.
For instance, starting with runners, whom I know better, there is nothing so peaceful and comfortable as the “runners village”. An assembly of runners, all bunched together about to do this crazy thing together – the bigger the event, longer the run - the more this seems true.
Before the Boston Marathon, the organizers went to great lengths to create, physically, a true village for this very special gathering. It was wonderful! It felt like a fair or outdoor concert, everyone either sitting or laying about ontheir blankets spread out on the grass, sun shining, or milling about, quietly, awaiting their turn to start. Huge excitement temperent by the enormity of the understaking, and in this case, the extemely special stature of the event itself.
Even for the shorter and regular local 5k’s and 10k’s, this awesome spirit exists – try a jingle bell run around the holidays - join in with others all decked out in antlers and bells, and even with an occasional full-costumed Santa, all part of the running “tribe”. Nothing as nutty as running in snow and ice to bring people together!
And that’s the point about a runner’s view of the world – a grouping of people who may very likely clash verbally right just the same as our illustrious political leaders on the burning issues of the day – that same bunch just gets “homogenized”, at least for a short time, into a delightful gentle/achieving/crazy bunch.
Now, with a much more limited experience as a biker (it's even arguable whether we are truly bikers - that point of potential conflict is so in keeping with the very nature of bikers) - fundamental differences with runners appear right off the bat. All the built in dividers and conflicts are so apparent: bikers vs. motorists, bikers at different level of expenditure and seriousness – all with the wildly varying outfits they wear to “mark” themselves.
Enough for tonight – will add more in the future – let me know your thoughts!!
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