I’m at Reagan National Airport in DC on my way to Chicago. Airports are great places to take stock of how well you deal with stress and inconvenience. That’s all airports are. Wait in line. Take off your shoes. Put on your shoes. Wait for old man to velcro his Nikes back up. Repeat.
I have been slowly developing a new life philosophy based on my time spent at airports. There are the superficial tenants of course: pack lightly, only carry-on unless taking a bike, always have something to read and listen to. The real depth and scope of what I’m creating wasn’t in place until I rolled across a traveler from the land of Fredonia. He came equipped for the apocalypse and beyond. Power-tap, GPS, racks, ski goggles, ear muffs, and hi-vis jump suit are just a few of the items I was able to inventory before I snapped the photo below. I sat on my race bike chuckling to myself while Super-Fred slammed a power drink and prepared for his next adventure. It was only after he rolled off on his 48 spoke wheels strapped with solid rubber tires did I realize he contained thr missing piece of my life’s ever-evolving philosophy.
Super-Fred
Super-Fred taught me one thing that has helped me travel, ride and live better: Expect the best and prepare for the worst.
When you’ve got a massive delay at the airport or your race-day strategy doesn’t work out as planned or you dropped a carton of eggs in the middle of the grocery store, Super-Fred is out there keeping it real, just as you should be. He knows life is a balancing act and while spring and summer are beautiful, winter is always around the corner. The bad, cold times in life can be just as mysterious and wonderful as the easy going warm ones. You just have to be ready for them.
Super Fred occasionally attended TBR’s Sunday ride.
True story.