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‘Go where you feel most alive’ is a quote written by an unknown, but whoever did write it please step forward, claim it and give yourself a medal because it’s spot on! Where do you feel most alive, where is your happy place that provides mental clarity when needed, tranquility, plenty of stoke, or that adrenaline rush. I have two places; The Ocean and My Mountain. The ocean is somewhere that provides my ‘spiritual rinse’ as I once heard it called. As a surfer, and knowing many other surfers, I’m sure they would instantly say the ocean is their special place. My relationship with the ocean became a complex personal one a few years back and something I had to work very hard to fall back in love with. I do cherish being immersed in water, riding perfect waves, throwing in a few turns, and occasionally dangling my toes over the end of my longboard, or riding some punchy waves often whilst thinking I’m surfing like one of my heroes from the 70’s, knowing that mental imagery is far from the reality. But are there days now where anyone can truly feel alone in the ocean? Surfing has become so popular that an empty peak is a very rare commodity. The carrying capacity at many beaches is very nearly pouring over the rim, I’ve heard tensions running high at certain places, and I have friends who no longer surf because of the crowds. Sadly, ego also plays a massive part in surfing and the more people that go surfing there are less waves to go around, often leading to unhealthy levels of greediness. The lineups are getting more competitive year on year and the unwritten rules are being ignored, etiquette is fast being lost, and there are more stories of crowded days at the beach feeling far from soulful, with aggressive surfers who seem to want every wave that comes through. That being said, it all depends on how you approach surfing. Because I’m at the age now, and experienced enough to know with a high degree of certainty that I will definitely get a few waves, maybe not the ones I really want, and in a line up full of frothing young surfers, all experienced and fitter than a butcher's dog, then I might paddle out with a mindset knowing that I’ll have to be very cunning or just settle for the leftovers, but I’m still surfing, and that’s what matters. Failing that, If it just looks too busy, If the crowds are ridiculous, I have a simple solution, I go and ride my bike. I head to the place I hold very dear to my heart. A place that I call ‘My Mountain’. ‘My Mountain’ is where I ride the most. It’s a place I've written about before. It's where I walk my dog most days, where I ride my bike, and where I go to ponder. It’s not even a mountain, barely a hill, more of a lump. In fact when I mention it to friends many reply ‘where? or what hill’? However, there is something very special about the time I spend on the First and Last Hill in Britain, (depending on which way you arrive on our fair land). ‘My Mountain’ is what I have, and being 1.5 miles from my house it’s a quick ride there and back. It has the most stunning view of the ocean from the North, West and to the South and a 30 mile view to the East. There are features that allow me to progress as a rider, being steep, technical and damn good fun. It’s certainly not the Alps, or Rockies, but ‘My Mountain’ is a place where I can just ride on my own when I feel like it. I might see the occasional other rider, but happily, there are no crowds, no need for etiquette, no aggressive or greedy riders and no egos. In fact mountain bikers in the Wild West of Cornwall are elusive, some might say a rare breed. Scattered across this far end of the country, there are groups who meet and may venture to ‘My Mountain’ for a lap or two before moving on, but they never stay long. There are dog walkers and tourists, and parking is limited so this restricts the numbers of people I'll ever see on the hill. The best bit though is that the trails have been made by horses, not humans; and I would like to add that the Dartmoor Ponies are phenomenal trail builders. They have a great eye for what we’re looking for as riders, they traverse the hill, and create pathways around features, and through thick fern and gorse. They spend each day stomping these trails, foraging for food, and without realising, they have trod the way for a few riders like me to have fun. ‘My Mountain’ is more than a place to ride bikes. It offers me the space and the tranquility I often crave or the solitude I can’t find as often as I’d like in the ocean when surfing. When I sit on my favourite rock, and watch the world around me, at golden hour, I can just listen and be totally in the present moment. This is why ‘My Mountain’ is so important to me and I’m lucky that I have two options. Footnote: Chris Christenson, a master craftsman and world renowned surfboard shaper, divides his time between two worlds. He loves to spend time snowboarding in the mountains, when he’s not by the coast of California. As one of the busiest surfing destinations on the planet it gets hectic and crowds are pretty ridiculous. He divides his time between what he calls ‘Palms to Pines’. We don’t have palm trees, we have rugged and bare granite, and when I venture to ‘My Mountain’, there’s barely a tree in sight, certainly no pine trees, but I know what he means. The series below is taken from my journal, and a process my wife has been teaching me. Its my my take, my ‘have a go’ at art. Taking the first image and turning it into another. The first is the route I take to my mountain, I took and old photo, added some colour and words and then moved on. This road 'The yellow brick road' goes past the old church on the A30 out of Sennen. People go to worship in Escalls Church, and with greatest respect, I ride straight by to where I know I'll get my spiritual boost. The final piece (for now) is my quickly drawn, exercise in learning about abstract art and my take on a place I called 'My Mountain'. It represents what I see on the way there. The fields and different crops, divided by stone walls, and the varying light on the hill and I'm not sure yet but hopefully I learn how to convey excitement!  
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Which Way? That Way? No This Way; Why? Why Not? Just do it, Just Try, Have a Go. You’ll never know if you don’t try I might Fail… You might not. Guarantee you’ll learn either way. Will I? Of course you will. Make 2025 a year to make things happen. Design life to achieve something special Like what? Be Creative, Be Active, Be Proactive. Take Images, Create Art, Write words. I like writing words Then create anything and just add words Can I do that? Yes, Do what you Love….and Learn. Ok then. Here's to 2025. Note: I began journalling many years ago. I write words everyday. Every morning. Some days my mind is all over the place, it seems like it's unravelling, some days its not. Many people seemed to be getting diagnosed with all sorts of mental health issues, and it's often inspiring to hear, to watch, and to relate in some cases. I know that sometimes, most of the time, my mind is all over the place and resisitance is very strong whenever I have an idea or plan. Procrastination is probably the biggest word I know, and I know that word is a constant in my life. But I'm going into this New Year to have fun. To be adding words to some form of art work is great fun. I love the process and have an amazing wife who is teaching me some techniques I didn't realise I could even do. I suppose the words above, 'My Mind Unravelling' is a mental conversation that I wrote this morning, New Years Day, and how I'd like to approach 2025. What a great sounding year and you're about to see some more of this side of me develop and see where it leads. Enough is enough, and that big 'P' word can just take a back seat.  |
AuthorHi, I'm Russ Pierre, a Cyclist, Surfer, outdoor enthusiast and wanabe artist. Please join me as I have some fun and create work about all the stuff that makes me tick. Archives
December 2025
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