Positively False

Matt and I are simultaneously reading Positively False by Floyd Landis. This is always a challenge when you only have one copy of the book. I got better than halfway thru yesterday while Matt was out on his bike ride, and he's reading it in spurts last night and this morning while I knit and watch baseball (however, beer and lace knitting might not be the best combination).

Quite frankly, it's an engaging book. Written in a friendly, conversational way. If you went out with Floyd and asked him to tell you about his life, I'm guessing it would be presented in a similar way.

As I've said, I'm just a little better than halfway thru reading it, and the problem is that I know what's coming... and I actually put it down yesterday, even tho' I still had an other hour or two before Matt was back from his ride (and my turn was up).

I've said this before, but I'm constantly amazed at the focus and the sacrifice that cyclists are willing to do. I see how hard Matt works for his amateur bike races and we can afford that kind of sacrifice: both financially and time management wise. To be a professional boggles my mind (more so for the semi-pro athletes like a Stephan who trains like a pro while keeping a day job).

It's hard for me to wrap my mind around physically working that hard. Even with Matt's part time training (I still don't get that he can ride his bike for 100 miles, but bitches if he has to drive 50), I recognize that we all have things that we constantly push ourselves to achieve perfection. I'll rip out hours/days worth of work in my knitting because of a mistake and not think twice about it. It's just knitting. I want it to be right and I'll sacrifice the time so that I'm happy with the results. I enjoy the process of knitting and I want it RIGHT. Matt feels that way about riding his bike. There's a certain pleasure in pushing himself to the limit... to see how long his body can take that kind of punishment.

So if you're looking for a good summer read, I suggest picking up Positively False. Even if you're not a cycling fan, you'll be entertained. The sad part is that it's not a fictional book, but someone's actual life.