#otto cushing

Queer Tour de France Fiction!

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Part 1: Dreams

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/635394226218270720/image-guillermo-p%C3%A9rez-villalta-spanish-

Part 2: Team-Building

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/637564836563304448/image-via-attilioworld

Part 3:  Racing - Day One

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/638739037091463168/image-via-datelinepentagons-after-zeno-fiction

Part 4: The Reckoning

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/648500011834949632

Part 5: New Dawn

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/652241390510735360/image-french-six-day-bicycle-race-by-edward

Part 6:  Team Spirit

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/653693727525765122/image-le-tdf-madness-03-miki-de-goodaboom

Part 7: Distractions

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/657228399448932352/image-the-classic-cicli-fiat-by-plinio-codognato

Part 8: Becoming (Series Final)

https://after-zeno.tumblr.com/post/664910277941379072/image-adapted-from-original-by-rafael-silveira

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Extract:

Image: Guillermo Pérez Villalta (Spanish, b. 1948), El temporizador elíptico [The Elliptic Timer], 1989. Oil on canvas, 200 x 140 cm  via @terminusantequem

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{after-zeno fiction} : ‘The Ride’

Part 1: Dreams

i.

One, ‘Nathan Carraway’, rested after the long, training ride.

Contemplating his future made him unduly anxious.

Hopefully, in a few weeks, the years of single-minded focus would yield that greatest opportunity for a cyclist - a spot in a Tour de France team!

Image: via @bi-cyclistnetn​

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ii.

Sleep came only slowly that evening.

But once it did - Nate was soon all over the races to come - every which way!

A keen student of history, it was no surprise that Nathan’s mind’s-eye conjured up a heroic image of cyclists as inheritors of a competitive charioteer tradition.

Image: Otto Cushing

But, of course, Nate’s mind flutters soon turned to glory!

He dreamed of wearing the yellow jersey - and for some reason - memories of Cadel Evan’s win coursed through his sub-conscious.

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iii.

Nate woke with a start in the early morning.

He felt dirty, pervy - and even checked his neck for the hickeys he glimpsed in his fantasm.

Image: Jordan Torres

Where did his dreams dredge up such stuff from!

Focus!

He could become a cycling legend if only he put everything out of his mind.

Refracted through a hazy dawn, Nate cussed - “focus, for goodness’ sake, focus!”

Image: Polaroid, Andrei Tarkovsky via @nobrashfestivity

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                                                  ‘The Ride’

                                                 Part 1: Dreams

                                                    The End

*For ‘The Ride’ Part 2: ‘Team-Building’ see:

Image: Otto Cushing

Image: Otto Cushing

Image: via @mavro55