Both Sides of the Mirror

By Rob Manning

The Ides of March have just passed us by and that infamous date (which most people would be hard pressed to explain WHAT even happened that day) marked the beginning of something. At the same time, it marked the demise of something else: A birth and death at the same moment. Deep, isn’t it?

So, having made it this far, I’m sure you are curious as to what I am talking about. Am I some lunatic illustrating a great revelation about the circle of life and death on the planet? Well, you could say that, I suppose, but I’m not necessarily speaking in human terms. You see, around every year at this time we start to see a rebirth of sorts; we actually get to see & feel the sun again, which has been hidden from us since about the first of December. Imagine that for a moment. During those long, dreary and grey winters it’s hard to imagine that there actually is a huge orange ball of fire up there in the sky thats light energy warms the dirt on a daily basis.

Right around that time every year as the sheet of cold begins to thaw new life, previously hidden beneath, begins to sprout. Even the biking season sprouts new life that time of year. The roads finally clear enough to put skinny tires to asphalt and skim over the country lanes at blistering speeds in the name of fitness, and the trails dry enough to prevent you from sinking into something resembling the LaBrea Tar Pits. You can take off some of the layers and coast around in just a jersey (or better yet shirtless if you’re filming one of those infamous internet dirt jump videos) and shorts. It’s time to start thinking about carrying a FULL Camelbak for those epic 6-hour rides and wondering if you’ll be throwing burgers or sausages onto the grill when you roll on home. And let’s not forget the beer - no summer ride is complete without a tall frosty brew (with a suitable mountain bike themed label of course.)

The Ides are also the end of a season as well, although many of us are glad to see this one end: the season of sitting at home! Getting out of the house and freezing off some layers on the ski slopes, putzing around on the trainer (we all know pedaling and going nowhere is a great motivator) or building that new secret weapon to unleash upon your trail riding buddies may be fun, but it's not the same as spring and summer riding. Actual mileage may vary.

But no matter what your vice during those frigid months, it’s always rewarding to see the ice melt and the crocuses herald of the arriving spring. Now you can see both sides of the mirror: you look back and see yourself in the winter months staring back at you, and looking forward you see the promise of yourself in the new season jumping up and down, begging you to hurry up and join him.

Oh yeah. For those of you who don’t know, the Ides of March was the day that Caesar was stabbed on the steps of the Roman Senate. Just as the Ides brought about the end of his life and a new beginning to ancient Rome, so too does it bring about Mother Nature’s chirality. I for one can’t wait to be on the other side of that mirror. Cabin fever has killed me for three months; I really can’t wait for the trails to take over that job.