Cycling and Cruciformity

In recent years, Emma and I have become cyclists joining NZ Cyclist (http://nz-cyclist.spruz.com/) to get fitter and make some new friends. The group is full of great guys and gals, real salt of the earth kiwis, all of varying abilities. Four or five times a week different groups career around the streets of the Shore and into the countryside. It is hard work but great for fitness and friendship. Aside from being uber-frustrated at the moment at being way too busy to get out often, we have fallen in love with cycling and the people we ride with.

When you join a group like this and get into group riding, you learn that there is a real art to cycling, including the idea of drafting. This is when you cycle very close to the rear wheel of the person in front of you, to a degree you get sucked along by those leading you. Drafting is highly advantageous as you use far less energy than the person on the front, although there is some gain for the lead rider as well (http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/aerodynamics2.html). Indeed, riding in an echelon or peloton one can save up to forty percent of the energy exerted. Aside from getting a reputation of being a wheel-sucker, it is great sitting there using little effort behind others slogging along. Drafting a very strategic element of seeking to gain an advantage. It is also very exciting (some would say terrifying and dangerous) as you fly along at high speeds inches from the wheel in front, as the closer you get the better the gain.

Drafting is massively important in races especially on tours like the Tour De France. While road cycling looks like other individual sports like running, the value of drafting means that it is very much a team sport. Whole teams are put together with the purpose of trying to get one rider over the line. Depending on the type of course, rider after rider sit on the front and drive those behind, sacrificing themselves, using their energy to help a great climber or sprinter over the line. The lead rider drafts, saving as much energy as possible for the final climb or sprint. The quality of a non-leader’s ride is measured by the performance of the lead rider, not where they come in the race. A victory for the lead rider whether a sprinter seeking a stage victory or someone trying to win one of the key classifications is a victory for the team. So, while there may be 200 in a field, it may be only 20 who are trying to win each stage and the race overall. In each team, the others are trying to give themselves to help the one win.

All this has made me think that road cycling has a kind of christological or cruciform pattern. In Christian thought, Christ gave his life on the cross to ensure others “win,” that they are saved. He gave himself to save others. He spent himself as the lead rider so that other riders can reach the prize for which they press on (Phil 3:14).

The essence of the Christian life is to embody this pattern of self-giving for others as we go about our lives, even to the point of self-denial and suffering – we live to serve others (a cruciform life). This is what cruciformity is--being conformed to the pattern of life Jesus exhibited when giving his life on the cross. Jesus stated it in this way: “Take up your cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34 and parr.). Paul urged people to “imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1).

In cycling, although sometimes a rider will be given the opportunity to go for a stage win if it opens up on a certain day, in a team of ten, in each race or stage, nine give up their “lives” for one. They give every bit of their energy to carry one person to victory. They “die” so that the other will “live.” They destroy themselves that one can have the energy to win the race. They deny themselves and sacrifice themselves for the glory of the other. They measure their greatness not by winning (indeed they may end up at the back of the field), but if their leader gains a great place. So, where a winner is found, there are many “insignificant” contributors who are the real heroes.

In most team sports, everyone in the team gets a trophy or medal if the team wins (e.g. RWC). In cycling, however, even if a team might win the team’s prize, only one person from the successful team gets the medal despite the massive effort of those who gave themselves for the victory.

Team road cycling is truly a team sport which embodies cruciformity and helps us understand what Christ and the Christian life is all about. It is not about fame and significance, but about self-giving, service, humility, and sacrifice even with suffering to see the other “win.” This parallel I find fascinating and most intriguing. Keep living the cruciform life and maybe go cycling.