Cycling #ChitChat – Life’s Better on Two Wheels

It was such a great surprise to see our cyclist Arlenis Sierra finishing in the top ten of this classic race on Sunday.

So, 😄 I’m thrilled to contribute here with my Cycling ChitChat (you can see I can’t just call it a Sunday thing either) on this inspiring subject: women in Paris–Roubaix.

_{Screenshot – here’s the news}

And how funny was my friend, my bike mechanic, when I sent him my reaction. He said: yes, she finished ninth, just imagine, used to the potholes here in Cuba, for her the cobblestones of Paris–Roubaix are nothing. I laughed so hard at that.

But hey, life’s always a mix of sweet and sour. If you missed it, check out this video—it shows how brutal it was. That crash at 1:11 is nasty. Honestly, it broke my heart.

_YouTube

That ending shot was something else—German rider Franziska Koch getting past Dutch legend Marianne Vos. Makes me wonder if anyone here knows her. Her dad passed away only a week ago (so sad), and she wanted to dedicate her win to him. She didn’t manage it, but honestly, she’s a champ in my book. That’s what cycling does—well, sport in general—it makes you pull strength out of nowhere. Or better said, out of where you think there’s nothing left. With the right mindset, you can always squeeze out a bit more.

As a Cuban and a big admirer of Arlenis Sierra, this result makes me proud. I have to admit… I love being able to share this news here. I don’t see myself as a racing cyclist; I’m more into cycle touring and photography, that’s where I feel truly inspired.

And if one day I join a competitive event—which I might—I wouldn’t mind coming last. I wouldn’t even mind if the organisers had packed up and the crowd had gone home before I crossed the finish line. What matters is crossing it, even alone, without cheers. 🤣

In the Sunday ChitChat I asked a few questions, focusing on the male stars, especially the Slovenian Tadej Pogačar. From what little I’ve seen, one thing is clear: he never settles for a narrow win. He wants to win big. That’s why, when the others are spent, he grows stronger, climbing mountains as if fresh as a lettuce, leaving the peloton behind. And even before the finish line, knowing no one is chasing, he keeps pushing. This is a powerful lesson. We can apply it to many areas of life, and it’s an image that is both valuable and inspiring.

I’m not a sports nut and I don’t really back anyone in particular. I just enjoy the show and love checking out what drives the athletes. That’s the real deal, the bit that matters. So yeah, I enjoyed Van Aert’s win. And once again life gives us a nudge: don’t take anything for granted. The game (whatever it is) ain’t over till it’s over.

😃