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Tuesday, August 08, 2006

piece or player?

a limited metaphor ... but applicable, nonetheless

Some riders, to me, race as rooks on a chess board ... one dimensional strikers, limited in direction but powerful in their single-minded approach. They push forward with a surge of strength that can knock down, bowl over, pummel. They are a fueled-up rocket, fused short, awaiting that match to launch, thrusting forth in whatever direction they find themselves pointed. No alteration once ignited, just pure speed ... and impact.

Other riders appear more bishop in facility ... hidden behind the action until an opening in the lines presents itself. The attack is diagonal - slicing into defenses, taking out competitors with a blindsided cunning that serves purposes either assassinative or pre-emptory. Working alone.

And then some might ride a more a knightly course ... skipping around in seemingly chaotic maneuver. These are the most active of riders, shooting off in random directions that often appear ineffective, but if used wisely - can bring about the most lethal damages. They are harrassers, evil shepherds, blockers, and occassionally the one to bring down that final blow upon a competitor.


When you race ... which piece are you? Are you pawnish in slow, but meaningful plods forward ... protecting and pushing forth with an inevitable wearing down of your opponents energies? Are you a queen that lashes out in any direction you choose, myriad of skill and speed ... the most feared but the most defended against, as well?

Or

are you the chess player behind it all ... seeing the board in its entirety instead of one piece's limited perspective. Do you see the difference between attacking when you can as opposed to attacking when it is best for your team?

Your strength as a rider may lend itself to a comparison to one of the chess pieces in play ... but it is the strength to see the landscape of the board, with all its flows and maneuvers, that makes a rider complete and formidable.



... whatever.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

very interesting...something to think about actually

norcalcyclingnews.com said...

oh ... that's good

EB said...

Half the time I think I'm playing checkers...

Velo Bella said...

chess is haaaaaard

PAB(a.k.a.CID) said...

olaf, i think you are a queen....

diskzero said...

Sometimes I try to play like I think another person would play, just to test out the strategy.  At Madera RR, where the road is rough, I was looking at the riders grimacing and bouncing around, feeling their filling fall out.  I thought "This is where OV would attack", so I did.  I got away for a lap before being caight, so maybe it wasn't a smart attack.  I got 8th in the race anyway and felt like I added some fun to the race.

Anonymous said...

what about the king...?

PAB(a.k.a.CID) said...

i think the king is just a fat pawn that can move backwards...

Anonymous said...

LOL!!!

So, from what I gathered from this blog...racing is a chess game and to win, you need all the members or at least some or else you will always be on the defensive side - which is unlikely to do anything unless you are a very smart queen...

Velo Bella said...

Actually, you don't need all the players, you just need to see the whole board.

or something

Brent said...

i prefer crazy eights. Chess too hard.

X Bunny said...

pinball

Velojuice said...

What about the rook! The silent, stoic, and dependable rook. Waiting in the wings, the Percival of the vermillion shield, mysterious and willing to sacrifice a wheel in the noble quest for the grail which shall be known as the cal cup. Man...... I got to get back to work.

Anonymous said...

sounds like a Ren Faire...

VeloRainDog said...

the king = hides in the back and hopes not to die.

been there.

Ron Castia said...

Long live the King.

jAndy donka-donk said...

I am the board......

everyone using me to get around.......

Which piece is hyper active and has ADD? That is me...

nosajpalnud said...

cool post and thx for the words of wisdom re: Timpani

Anonymous said...

i rode this morning with a friend, who happened to see me race at albany. just this very morning, he commented that racing looked like a chess game. most of the time you want to use your pawns, then, when you gotta a few laps left (he did watch a crit, mind you), you bust out the queen. finally the king comes forth to make his move. he said that after my race he watched another race where someone used up his pawn-moves too early.

i' ve been there before.

though the chess analogy has been used for cycling, this is quite a coincidink that i was just talking about this.