Sometimes, changing direction is enough to discover an entirely new world. Last weekend, I was on Siargao, the island usually known for waves and surfboards. But this time, it wasnât about water, it was about the roadâand about what happens when you experience a brevet from a new perspective.
I decided to ride the familiar route in the opposite direction. Not because I am a rebel (well, maybe sometimes đ) but because I was curious. What happens when you turn the familiar upside down?
Cyclists, landscapes, and unexpected encounters
The first few kilometers felt strange. The curves that usually felt familiar seemed strange to me. And suddenly, there it wasâa new world. The palm trees cast different shadows, the light felt softer, and even the well-worn roads held an air of unpredictability. Along the way, I met other brevet cyclistsâeach with their own rhythm, their own story.
I captured them with the camera of my phone: the quiet moments in the morning sun, the focused expressions on climbs, the contentment during a long ride. A brevet isnât a race; itâs a journey. And each of us experiences it in our own unique way. But on this day, with this shift in perspective, everything felt a bit more intense, a bit more authentic.
Changing perspectives as a philosophy
What struck me the most wasnât just the new perspective on the route, but the realization of how refreshing it can be to challenge habits. It wasnât just a different direction; it was a different way of seeing.
While photographing, I noticed how the image of a cyclist changes entirely depending on your angle. From the front, they look strong; from the side, dynamic; and from behind, sometimes vulnerable. For me, cycling is the perfect metaphor for lifeâeverything depends on how you choose to look at it.
Conclusion
This brevet was more than just kilometers on the road. It was a reminder that we should regularly change our perspectiveâin life, at work, on the road, and behind the camera. It was a weekend that inspired me to keep playing with perspectivesânot just on Siargao, but everywhere.
When was the last time you changed your direction? Maybe itâs time to give it a try. đŽââïž