TAO Geoghegan Hart
One of my first proper races, as a new-to-the-sport 15-year- old, was the ‘Diamond Race’ in Belgium. I was there riding with a close mentor of mine, the late Alan Rosner, and to this day vividly remember the sheer chaos that ensued over those 70 adrenalin-filled kilometres.
Yesterday I finished my first race of the 2014 season here in the States. Four years on, in spite of hundreds of days of racing in the bag, I enjoyed the tussle of it all as much as ever.
Today, however, I completely changed it up, escaping the melee of racing to simply share the road and catch up with an old amigo. Sliding under canopies of trees, climbing over mountains, all to the sound of laughter.
His now worldwide-adopted motto is # outsideisfree, and today was a true embodiment of that ethos. Because despite what some people like to pretend, it’s not all about how much money we’ve spent on our bikes, what matching kit we are wearing or how tall our socks are. In fact, it’s not about anything at all other than three simple things: riding, exploring and having fun.
The last time I rode with him was in the south of France. Today we ventured around his adopted home on the outskirts of Los Angeles. But it wasn’t his familiar London accent or even the sometime rugged landscape we encountered that made me feel at home. It was the fact that wherever you are in the world, you can enjoy the simplicity of a bike ride and the way it connects you with people.
So while yesterday I finished my first race of the season, riding in service of my team-mate who duly took the win, today I simply caught up and chatted with a great friend, soaking up some rays while making the most of the traveller lifestyle. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Which brings me to my first ‘communiqué’ to anyone out there kind enough to read this. In a day and age of numbers, statistics and quantification of everything under the sun, I compel you to put down this magazine (for now) and grab your bike. Find that friend, road or mountain and just be yourself. Don’t lose that sense of freedom that once attracted you so dearly to the bike. Seize it and make the most of the amazing experiences it will no doubt bring your way. And if you must go on social media to show off your exploits, make sure to let me know about it @ taogeoghegan and spread the # outsideisfree word. Represent!