Keep Riding - Owen Blandy
66,172
Published 2021-05-15
Cycling is many things to many people. For some of us, it is everything, an endless obsession. For others, it’s a smaller something, a partial presence. The one thing we all have in common is an ever-evolving relationship with riding. For all of us, cycling comes and goes, ebbs and flows, sliding somewhere on the scale from constant compulsion to infrequent friend.
We’re all at different stages on a journey, and we all ride for different reasons. We ride to get out of the house and into the world. To meet old acquaintances and find new friends. To the middle of the city or the middle of nowhere. It’s a time to be put to the test, to be your best or to enjoy hard-earned recovery and much needed rest. We ride to get away, to find space. To go nowhere in particular or to a single, special place. Lost in our thoughts, we find solace from the world. We reflect on what’s done and what is still to come.
For Owen, life today is simple. But it hasn’t always been that way. From professional kitchens to high-rise office blocks, his early career was played out in high pressure environments where a perpetual pursuit of progression took its toll. Under pressure at work, cycling became an outlet for Owen. Training early in the morning before work and racing nearly every weekend, Owen’s traits on the bike reflected who he was off it – he was living a fast life but not a full one.
Then came a turning point, which would bring Owen closer than ever to his family and provide him with the perspective he needed. Last year, he quit his job, moved out of London and moved out to South West England. Just as cycling had mirrored his personality years earlier, so it reflected the shift in Owen’s mindset. Now working once more as a chef, Owen rides slower but sees more. He still has his reasons to ride, they’ve just changed a little over time.
We all have our reasons. What are yours?
All Comments (21)
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I can relate to this. When you get "the cycling bug" it's so easy to be swept up in the race community, marginal gains, the best, most race-like bike. I started to realise that I had lost the reason of why I was riding. I took a step back, focussed on riding for myself, or with friends, not worrying too much about speed and distance and keeping up with the 'fast lads'. Now with a baby, I'm so grateful for the headspace, freedom meditation that riding gives me and gets me back on my game for day to day life ✌🏻
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This is one of the best short films I’ve ever seen on YouTube! Beautifully shot and really inspiring. Love what Owen says about cycling and the simplicity of it too. I’ve never thought of it like that
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Thanks so much for the nice comments people! Usually based in Somerset but this was filmed on the north devon coast. I'll post up the route on my instagram
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These Rapha films are exceptional. Well done Owen for taking that leap, you’re a braver man than I.
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That shot where's he's descending to the sea is a thing of beauty.
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Important, honest and heart warming story. Fantastically filmed.
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Best one by far. Owen speaks deeply to me and hopefully others who have found cycling to better their lives but needed a reminder to be true to yourself. Thank you guys as always
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This video is so nice because it is important to know why riding. That is answer !!
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Respect to you Owen. I lost my Dad under very similar circumstances a couple of years ago and amongst a host of other things, it served as a very blunt reminder that you can plan and work all your life for a day that never comes. Your closing statements rang very true for me; 'There is always going to be someone faster, there is always going to be someone more interested in it'. Very simple - if you find something that you love doing - do it because you love it, not for any other reason. P.S that food looked mega.
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Something about cycling that makes longing for simplicity almost inevitable. It shows how little is needed for joyful being.
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Nice nice nice! I love this kind if thing- food, bikes, smiling- so good!
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Nice story and film! 3:54 What a scenery! Great job capturing it.
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This wanted my heart and woke me up at the same time. Thank you
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God I love these. If rapha opens up something in Pa I’d gladly come work for them.
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This is why we love this brand..... bruhhhhhh vibes as usual guys well done
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Thanks for sharing Owen & Rapha...
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Thanks, Owen! All the best to you, Respekt ❤️
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Oh Mannnnnn Owen!!!!! Respect! More power to you!!!!!!
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Stories like these... absolutely inspiring!
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A nicely shot film- lovely to see the South West (and Lynton) featured. I think it's story will resonate with an awful lot of people after last year. Chapeau Rapha- again!
