The Applecross MyZtery

The Applecross MyZtery
May Day in Applecross sets a Rider up for the rest of the season. It is a mystical, spiritual experience, the first swallow of summer, a black cat and a green gannet … Applecross is of course famous for its association with Saint Maolriahd (may-all-ride) one of the early leaders of the Club.
There is a tradition that Maolriahd studied on the continent under Saint Maolseid (may-all-zed) the legendary founder of The Factory. This tradition is pure folklore, evidence for the life of Saint Maolseid was lost during the Fourstrokeation.
It is, however, well documented that Maolriahd’s disciples played a major role in the Hidden Controversy. This Early Club schism takes its name from the Book of Zed teaching; “Thou shalt not hide thy talents under a stone.” The Factory has always maintained that transgression of this Law was a very naughty sin, the second worst category of sinning. The followers of Saint Maolriahd, and other respected Riders, believed and taught that hiding your talents under a stone was a mortal sin, the very worst category of blasphemy.
Whether you went straight to Hell with or without hope of remission is a distinction that has become meaningless to modern Riders. Yet documents that survive from the Muddle Ages bear witness to a lengthy and often bitter dispute on this point. Most Early Club historians are of the opinion that Saint Maolriahd died before the Hidden Controversy began. The Annals of Saxony record Saint Maolriahd’s teaching on polishing. This is believed to be genuine, and is still the doctrine of The Factory. “Do not disdain the Polisher, for the Polisher shall preserve the steed until the Rider hath need of it. Do not fear to polish in moderation, for the Rider is also charged with the maintenance of their steed. But be ever on thy guard against the error of excessive polishing, for the true Rider hath no need of show. In the Day of Judgement the wrath of the Great Designer shall fall heavily on those who fail to ride their steeds; the light from their eyes shall be put out.”
It is to be hoped that the Polishers of the latest 125cc and 1000cc steeds will have allowed one of them to fall into the hands of a Rider before next year’s Applecross Rally!
Louis Mair
Previously published in Thistledown
June 2004