Are flow and joy the same?

Sending you into the weekend with this beautiful listener message.

Happy Friday, y'all! The weather is finally cooperating this weekend in Utah. So I hope you all are going to get out and ride, I know I am.

I completed an interview yesterday with Dr. Eric Brymer. This interview will air on Tuesday, May 21st, but we got to talking about the existential or mystical facet—the spiritual facet—of adventure, and adventure in nature, in particular.

And it was interesting that I conducted this interview right after I had received the most beautiful message from one of our listeners, Scott (Scott, if you’re here, say hi in the comments so people can respond to you directly!), who lives in Utah. He responded to the form I put out this week asking for feedback about the podcast, (thank you to everybody who filled out that form, btw. I really appreciate it.), and he suggested we talk about some of the differences in how flow feels between cross country and downhill.

So I reached out to him saying that I loved his point about cross country flow vs. downhill flow, and I asked him which one he tended to prefer. And Scott had the most beautiful response that spoke directly to what Dr. Eric Brymer was speaking of in that interview. It was so beautiful that I asked him if I could share his message with you all.

I get these messages from time to time from riders that just blow me away at who is listening to the show. If you see yourself in Scotts message, just know that there are so many of us out in nature, on a bike, finding these deep, meaningful, impactful life changing experiences out there. And I wanted to share this one.

(I also had to read it aloud because it was so good. So if you are in a position to listen to it, I encourage you to do so.)

So Scott says:

“I started to answer your question about which type of riding I prefer, but I had to stop and really think about it.

As I was putting an answer together, I realized that for me "joy" and "flow" go together, and in an odd way are interchangeable. I train for and compete in several XC races and a couple endurance races every year, so I definitely spend a lot of time in that mode. Looking back, I had a hard time coming up with a memory of flow during one of those events. All I could come up with was joy. Deep, sincere happiness that I am able to ride my bike at that level, even if it hurts. Joy in being in a headspace where self-gratitude is king. Being humbled and in awe of the scenery, scents, and experiences nature has laid out in front of me on that given day. Joy that overcomes any amount of "suck" created by the aches and pains of competing on a bike. I'm pretty sure joy is the mental/emotional version of flow.

Then I tried to think of specific memories of flow. Days when I'm riding my bike fast, but calm, and quiet....smooth. Everything feels right, and I'm loose on the bike. No real thought process, just muscle memory doing its thing. My comfort zone expands, and uncomfortable terrain rolls by without a second thought. Flow. Those are the rides when I amaze myself, proving that I am capable of doing hard or scary things. Things others would consider crazy or even impossible. "Downhill". It's tough to put into words how great that feels, but the best I can come up with is "joy". Joy and flow working hand in hand, or maybe in this case, they are the same.

But, as I was writing this, I remembered one of the most amazing spiritual moments of my life. It was during a trail ride, by myself. I was pedaling off the funk from another mundane workday, and as I crested a hill, the sun was beginning to set. There were yellow wildflowers in bloom, the air was remarkably clear, and Antelope Island stood majestically in the background. Seriously, one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever witnessed. Nature in a flow state. As I snapped a photo (which did the moment no justice at all), I realized that this scene actually belonged to me. It was made for me. Nobody else, ever, would be in this place, at this time, witnessing the beauty that nature and life had to offer at this exact time and place in the universe. It was deeply moving. It still stirs emotion to this day, as I write about it. Nature's flow, and my joy, hand in hand, or maybe the same.

So, after all that, to answer your question.... I just like riding my bike(s). Joy and flow come one way or another regardless of riding style, but I find myself smiling the most when I ride with friends. Just a good old fashioned chill trail ride. Smiles = Joy = Flow”

I hope you'll have an amazing weekend. I hope you all are able to get out on your bikes and go meet whatever the trail has for you. Take care.

-Danielle

P.S. If you have a message you’d like to share with the AOMTB audience, message me directly on Substack or send it to theartofmountainbikingpodcast@gmail.com.