Le Metier.... a good read..

"Over the hundreds of thousands of kilometers I've ridden, I've slowly come to realize why my desire developed and became an obsession.  Without it, I struggle.. I am anxious, unfocused and tense.  Cycling has become spiritual, as it is a passion that I can pursue in the natural environment.  I can pedal away angst, find calm and clarity with the rhythmic motion and freedom.  The commitment gives me a focus; the love gives me panache.  Whether it is pedaling to victory or training in the mountains, I find peace."

Michael Barry, Le Metier: the seasons of a professional cyclist