As days grow shorter and bibs grow longer, our imagination heads south. On winter bikes and turbo trainers, we chase the summer. We seek leisure and joy, yet often find frost and unease. But don´t worry. We take you to Southern France, with words in your ears, images in your mind, and a Pastis in your heart. When road salt eats into our frames, and turbo trainers glow with aims, many a roadie´s fancy flies, southwards, towards warmer skies. Worn out bibs on legs so pale, hair grows wild and free laissez-faire will never fail here I can just be Merci beaucoup, oh thanks a lot, Salut et au revoir, Bienvenue à la Côte d’Azur. Hi Sea, I´ve come from afar. Deep in a dream of blue I drift, the smell of warm baguette I wake in shock, oh damn you Zwift, my sea a pool of sweat Sweating, puffing, pointless suffering, we train, facing a screen is this a pain cave or a prison? I´m tired of this routine Intervals, heart rates, training zones, o algorithm please, I work myself down to the bone, in search of inner peace Gone is the leisure, the joy, oh boy, I’ve lost my greatest treasure, I am riding just because; I’m riding without pleasure I want the mediterranean back blue waves and fluffy foam at least my fantasy‘s on track so back to France I roam Where steep roads to the heavens soar, lush palm trees line the bay, no suffering without good cause, stress slowly melts away Who pedals just for pleasure‘s sake can reach the highest heights have a coffee, take a break, conquer the climb with smiles. Leave behind the BMI, indulge in sweeter treats, don‘t weigh experience in grams, out-feast the triathletes. Stop and look and feel the flow, wash back up on the beach, relax, sit back, enjoy the show an aperol within reach I bid farewell to threshold power, I feel a greater fever Goodbye my cycling ivory tower Merci et savoir-vivre Der Beitrag La vie en bleu – The Unbearable Lightness of Biking erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.