Is there a fata morgana in cycling? If so, I\’ve never seen one; but such mirages are out there. After all, it looks like the fata morgana can occur anywhere, as long as the atmospheric conditions are just right.

What would a mirage look like to a cyclist? To the weary rider battling strong headwinds for 100 miles, maybe a non-extant rest station will suddenly appear in the distance. I read something about RAAM; and this \”contest of sleep deprivation\” can result in hallucinations for the riders. They can afford only a few hours\’ sleep per night because they must always work to reach the next checkpoint on time;

Long-Distance Cycling

and naturally they become sleep-deprived. I think I\’ll skip RAAM!

I ride in the dark a lot; and sometimes things look weird. A shadow resulting from sometimes looks like an object in the bike path. Fortunately my eyes have learned to adjust to these \”visions\”; and I rarely have problems with them.

When I\’m tired and sleepy, of course it\’s hard to stay alert; and then I have to forget about speed work. I don\’t need to doze off over the handlebars and crash.

It isn\’t a mirage when a poorly lit — or unlit — person materializes ahead of me. I wish it were a mirage; or that people would carry flashlights in the dark! Sometimes I\’m uncomfortably close before I can see those people; and I don\’t want to hit anyone. If I did, I would be the one who got hurt; because the contact would cause me to land on the ground.

One morning last week I glimpsed what may have been a meteor. It lasted for several seconds; but it was half-hidden by the treetops. Or was it a fata morgana?

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