Travel days can be long, hot, and torturous or short, easy and mentally refreshing. I've spent plenty of time in vans throughout my athletic career so day-long travel days aren't anything new and I've actually started to really enjoy them. Like the skill of napping, the skill of zoning-out is critical to survival on the road.
When I started traveling, the van involved a 12 hr haul from the west coast of British Columbia to the heart of the Canadian Rockies, packed to the brim with ski equipment and over excited teenagers. Although travel these days is much more civilized with a full trailer to free up leg-room, the trips can still be long and difficult.
Fortunately technology has also improved. Where it was once 40second anti skip CD players (remember those!) and a small TV jammed into the side door for that Nintendo64 blasting RUSH (car driving game), it's now individual computers for movies and smart phones filled with the latest YouTube craze. And as long as you've remembered your AC adapter, the fun never stops.
But there is something to be said for just unplugging. And when in the van, with moving scenery just out the window, it can be a lot easier to justify zoning out than when chilling at a homestay next to a TV, a pool table or a WIFI connection. There is too much distraction in our lives. If a criterium is anything as stressful as life working in the real world, well then I know that we all just need some quiet time. Besides, how can you come up with an original thought if you don't give your mind a chance to calm down and explore the experiences of the past week.
So if you feeling like you can't get away from technology, just remember you're still in charge of the power switch.
See awesome Team Exergy rider attempt at Penny Farthing
Here
Labels: Lifestyle