#homosociability

Image: ‘French Six-Day Bicycle Race’ by Edward Hopper.

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{after-zeno fiction} : ‘The Ride’

Part 5: New Dawn

i.

While delighted by the ‘antique’ cyclist prep box wheeled out before the start of that day’s racing in the ‘Tour de France’, it has to be said that Nate faced the morning after his ‘reckoning’ in a funk.

His mind and feelings in shards - the pink, morning light was both comforting and disorienting.

Scanning his mind and body, Nate sought to come to grips with his new queer experiences.

Image: John MacLean, Ottowa

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ii.

As the day’s racing got under way, Nate’s erotic antennae were primed to the point of distraction.

The beauty of many riders was subtle, non-obvious, but everywhere!

The lines and contours of the human body, especially the male body, were sources of sheer joy.

There were beautiful hands and shoulders and....

Image: @lakey​122

Of course, some riders loved to gear-up to make an impression - actually, a quite queer impression!

Image: via @happyinlycra

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iii.

Intriguingly, quite a few race riders cultivated a very specific look: the ‘modest’,’ smoothish’, and faux, emasculated look - even if fellow riders prodded and teased them!

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iv.

Yet, despite the sheer exhilaration of his new ‘eye’ - alone at the end of the racing day, Nate yearned for something more.

But the words, language, would not come to express (even less to salve) just what that yearning was.

Image: simone nobili, dust magazine

                                             ‘The Ride’

                                        Part 5: New Dawn

                                                 The End

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*If you wish to go Part 6: Team Spirit of this series: https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/653693727525765122/image-le-tdf-madness-03-miki-de-goodaboom