ther-a-py [ther-uh-pee]
– noun, plural
1. The treatment of disease or disorders, as by some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process.
2. A curative power or quality.
3. The act of being dumped 200km from home with a mountain bike, the piercing blue sky of a summer’s day, an endless trail and life’s thoughts to work through.
I’m sure there comes a time in everyone’s life when things start bubbling up, thoughts cascade on top of one another each seeming to have priority over the last. It’s at this point I usually pick up the phone and make an appointment with my specialist. The conversation normally runs along the lines of “...Muuuuum, how’s your sister keeping in Eastbourne? I bet it’s lovely down there eh?” to which the reply (if I’m lucky) will be “what time do you want a lift there in the morning?” Bingo, 30 seconds flat. Appointment made. My specialist is not like any I’ve come across before. There is no hourly rate, no rush to be finished by a certain time. It’s happy to do whatever is needed to soothe a crowded mind, to regain perspective, no matter how long that may take. A good specialist has seemingly endless qualities and experience, which is how I’ve come to realise that, I’m on to a winner. It likes to keep a low profile, although its notoriety has grown steadily in recent years, going by the initials SDW (AKA the South Downs Way). 100 miles of chalk trails running from Eastbourne to Winchester. In short, therapy defined.
Without a cloud in the sky, gentle breeze helping push fresh oxygen deep into your lungs, views of the horizon that are of similar beauty to images of the earth from outer space. It’s hard to imagine a nicer place to ride your mind back into shape. As you can imagine, it doesn’t take long for the therapy session to kick in. Endorphins intoxicating brain and body with a rush unfelt for sometime.
The Tunes
With a fully loaded I-Pod set on shuffle it was anyone’s guess as to what would fill the airwaves. Which tracks would motivate, help push the pace on or slow things down, but above all start the dream? With a day of riding it’s too hard to name everyone but today I think a pick of the bunch would be…
1) Dirty Vegas: Walk Into the Sun. Having spent some time in Gran Canaria with Markus from Cyclefilm, whenever I hear this track it takes me there. Check it out for yourself here and you’ll see why. Love it!
2) Willaim Orbit: Barber’s Adagio For Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix). It’s a long story this one. If you ever happen to run into Rory Hitchens or Seb Rogers I’m sure they’ll tell you all about the swirling mist at 4am as they were poised, waiting for me to climb my way up to Ditchling Beacon, as this tune rumbled the valley below at an illegal rave in Brighton. Priceless moments.
3) Blink 182: Hold On. There’s lyrics that should be confined to your own home or to your ‘personal’ stereo and this is a track that has some of those that are probably best not sung too loud. Well you’re on the Downs, there’s nobody as far as the eye can see so I granted myself carte blanche to bring the vocal chords into play for a short burst. May I once again apologise to the lady who was crouched down behind one of the many gates along the route. You were out of eye’s view and in 'Cotti’s Book of Right & Wrong' (chapter 5, page 84) that means you have to face the music and dance (whatever that music may be or whoever is singing it).
4) Rage Against the Machine: Killing In The Name Of. They say lightning never strikes twice. Wrong. Admittedly I should have known better after my Blink 182 escapade but you know what they say, "kids will sing".
5) The Prodigy: Fire Starter. This hit the ear drums at the best possible time on a beautiful single track section a handful of km’s before Queen Elizabeth Country Park. I know the Downs are open to the public, and respect needs to be paid to all trail users, but sometimes you just have to smash it and worry later about what may be around the corner. 50+ kilometres per hour, gravel bends, just on the point of traction, exposed roots, sweeping left and right...I think you catch my drift.
The true beauty is there was no plan today. No time to keep to. No schedule. What will be will be. I must have been enjoying myself though, as I dropped down the final descent and passed the statue of 'King Alfred the Great' in Winchester a glance at the time showed a sub 8 hour 20 minute ride for the full length of the South Downs Way. Looks like my day of therapy has done exactly what it should have as I’m still smiling now. And you know what? I'm already looking forward to my next session.
...Oh, and did I mention this was free?
