A belated post written ‘In Viaggio’ from Italy to USA last week… as I’m sitting on a plane listening to tunes and in the mood to write I thought I’d specify the moment at hand..
Flight connections, seat allocations, friendliness of check in staff weighing the bike bag, success or failure of luggage arrival at destination these are all the anticipated elements that can make it or break it! As you’d probably guess travel is a large part of being an athlete especially in cycling.. like racing its a process that becomes refined.. each time it’s done with a little more ease, efficiency and hopefully a little more grace.
This current trip to he USA is my fourth international flight this year… so until I’m lucky enough to consistently get the pointy end of the craft It’s imperative to optimize life in good old econo class. Just for insight my refined list of travel essentials roll out something like this;
- Entertainment – noise canceling headphones, iPod, book
- Sleep – ear plugs, Eye mask, neck pillow
- Body – 2XU compression socks and tights, blow up ring cushion (not joking – for long flights!)
- Immune system – hand sanitiser / Barocca / Vitamin C
- Tummy – H2O bottle / fruit / nuts
But over and above.. travel.. as glam as it seems requires an intricate balance of astuteness yet poise.. remain alert yet chilled. Above all I’ve found putting ones mind in a ‘flow state’ so that when the day spits out physical mental challenges its water off a duck’s back and the stress doesn’t stick.
So.. when having to stand in line for an hour snaking through with a luggage cart resembling a semi trailer or pay $US300 for the bike to ‘possibly’ arrive at your destination you can simply laugh at the misfortunes, smile at the grumpy folk, and glaze over the chaos..
Something about travel no matter what.. if you let it.. (because there is no where else to be but where you are) can open thought and prompt pondering about where you’ve come from and where you’re going.. and that my friends is the fun part!!
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