Gemini Performance Cycling
The Five Rings
1 ) Preparation
THE EARTH
Building The House
2) Adaptation
THE WATER
2 Heavens, One style
3) Strategy
THE FIRE
Heat of Battle
4) Respect what will fail
THE WIND
Become the Opponent
5) Know what can't be seen
THE EMPTINESS
Correct Mind
The Five Rings is an approach to training and competing modeled from The Book of Five Rings written by Samurai Master Miyamoto Musashi (五輪書 Go Rin No Sho ) circa 1645. In this book Mushashi describes his comprehensive manifesto on swordsmanship, strategy and winning which embody insights that are among the most salient texts on strategic thinking ever to come out of Asia.
I read The Book of Five Rings during a time of rehabilitation and quickly saw the dynamic transfer-ability of Mushashi’s principles into the art, practice and discipline of bike racing, and the remarkable similarities Samurai had with their sword to that of rider and bicycle.
In their simplest form, the Five Rings are a highly effective approach for gaining advantage in preparation, training and racing. In a deeper sense, they are an ongoing art in discipline toward mindful riding and racing, rather than just physical and technical prowess.