One is the loneliest number. Second place is first loser. So what exactly does three mean?
The number 3 has been popping up a lot in my life. Over the past year and a half, I've had 13 finishes in 3rd place. You could even joke right now that the number 13 has a 3 in it, I know...
I started doing some research about the "third place" and this is what I've found:
Sociology Professor Ray Oldenburg in his book, The Great Good Place, explains that bars, coffee shops, general stores, and other “third
places” (in contrast to the first and second places being home and work),
are central to local democracy and community vitality.
Which then got me thinking that I guess that Oldenburg could say this bike racing/riding community is my own personal "third place".
For instance, my "third place" would be every Saturday morning during the winter (and any weekend I'm not racing) at Java's Brewin' to ride with my friends in Royersford, PA. Or you could say that Phoenix Cycles is my "third place" for meeting up with my friends to ride over to GV30, followed of course with dinner at Iron Hill Brewery.
Characteristics of a "third place":
- “First, they are neutral, meaning that all people can come and go without penalty. If you don’t go to your third place for a few days or weeks, your return is greeted with interest and enthusiasm.
- Second, they are level, meaning that the status differences that matter so much elsewhere are not relevant. And no one plays host at a third place.
- Third, conversation is the main activity in third places, and one of the few ways to offend others present is to be boring.
- Fourth, third places are accessible, meaning that they have long hours and are easy to get to. No reservation needed!
- Fifth, third places have regulars. Indeed, regulars define a third place, but new people are accepted, not automatically but often easily.
- Sixth, third places are physically plain and unpretentious. [In my opinion this should not discount the benefits of being located in a charming building or having unique artistic and cultural aspects].
- Seventh, and perhaps most critically, the dominant mood of a third place is playful. Laughter abounds.”
***Anyone that rides Java's can attest to the truth of all of these bullet points above***
So, I guess that my quest to find and define the number 3 or third place made me realize how lucky I am because without my "third place" I would have never had so many third place finishes this year. Without my "third place" friends and our rides, I would have never been able to give 2nd and 1st a run for their money.
A million thank you's to: Bob C, Jason G, the Hungarian Hobbit, Horrocks, Geronimo, Justin P, Ryan R, Choppah, Eric S. and the rest of the Java's regulars for pushing me every weekend to never give up.
Over the next 10 days, I will be racing for six of them (which you could say is divisible by the number 3). I'm looking forward to spending lots of time cheering on, racing, and most importantly partying with my "third place" friends.
