November 9, 2021
A Punctured Tire
When you’re out riding, and you get a puncture, it sucks in the moment. It may not be the worst thing in the world, though. Here’s why.
As I sat and watched a cyclist sitting in the sun changing a tire, it reminded me of two things. 1. How much I used to despise flat tires and the frustration they caused me. And 2. The fable that helped me change my perspective.
The fable goes like this …
A farmer had only one horse. One day, his horse ran away.
His neighbours said, “I’m so sorry. This is such bad news. You must be so upset.”
The man just said, “We’ll see.”
A few days later, his horse came back with twenty wild horses following. The man and his son corralled all twenty-one horses.
His neighbours said, “Congratulations! This is such good news. You must be so happy!”
The man just said, “We’ll see.”
One of the wild horses kicked the man’s only son, breaking both his legs.
His neighbours said, “I’m so sorry. This is such bad news. You must be so upset.”
The man just said, “We’ll see.”
The country went to war, and every non-disabled young man was drafted to fight. The battle was terrible and killed every young man, but the farmer’s son was spared since his broken legs prevented him from being drafted.
His neighbours said, “Congratulations! This is such good news. You must be so happy!”
The man just said, “We’ll see.”
—
Maybe the punctured tire saved the cyclist from being hit by a car. Timing is everything. Maybe it prevented dehydration or a bonk from setting in. Perhaps it didn’t.
You’ll never know.
Cut Race Times, Not Corners.
Racing at your potential and enjoying training is easy when you’re following the right programme.
Ben Pulham