Cycling is a mighty sport with a rich and complex history. Every company, racer, piece of kit, and component has a legend, a story behind it; in many cases it also has a personal and nostalgic connection to our lives. While this particular sport is steeped in tradition, it is also fiercely modern, a fact that serves only to deepen its complexity.
All these factors combine to provide an unique atmosphere and breeds devoted and loyal disciples of our great sport. We are of a peculiar nature; we seek out the highest mountains and the roughest roads on which to worship at the altar of the Man with the Hammer. Our legs are what propel us; our minds are what drive us. We refer to our shaved legs in the third person – the legs – and speak of distance in kilometres and measure sizes in centimetres regardless of what country we are in. We adhere strictly to the Canon of Cycling’s Etiquette: The Rules.
A Velominatus is a disciple of the highest order. We spend our days poring over the very essence of what makes ours such a special sport and how that essence fits into Cycling’s colorful fabric. This is the Velominati’s raison d’être. This is where the Velominati can be ourselves. This is our agony – our badge of honor – our sin.
I have a unique way of looking at bicycles. A good bicycle and it’s components are beautiful things to me. I’m not just talking about appearance, but also how the frame and components show the dreams of those who made them.
– Gianni Bugno, Hardman and Italian cycling legend
Perhaps we are too wrapped up in the past, but the Velominati don’t believe that to be the case. After all, the greatest lessons can be learned from the past and those lessons can then be applied to the present and may then allow us to more fully experience the future.
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Level 4 Velominatus: The casual observer and occasional poster.
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We strive to foster an open, fun, critical, and censure-free environment. Any criticism of our writing, spelling, grammar, or intelligence is welcome and nothing said will ever get you suspended from the site. That said, the code of conduct is governed by Rule #43 and the Piti Principle. Members consistently exhibiting behavior that falls outside these parameters will be warned to check themselves; should warnings go unheeded, we may elect to issue a suspension. The first offense will result in a one-week suspension, the second in a two week suspension, and the third in a three week suspension. A fourth offense will result in a lifetime ban.
Velominati reserves the right to edit posts with the express interest to preserve the spirit of the conversation and the community. Regarding posts that address a grammatical or typographical error, Velominati may elect to take their input, correct the error in the articles where appropriate, and editing posts that point them out. This editorial action is not to serve as a censure entity, but to preserve the spirit of the conversation. That said, we endeavor to only edit those posts that point out a minor issue and only in the event that we make the edit before the post has yielded further discussion. Furthermore, when possible, we will strive to acknowledge said poster for their correction.
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View Comments
Just did my first session on the rollers. I was transported back 45+ years ago when Dad took my training wheels off and I wobbled forward a few feet at a time.
Finally got it together, but now I want to have a cookie and watch cartoons.
@Steampunk
I think today is a day of problems - I went on my club's annual new years day ride, and somehow fucked my FD while shifting, sending the chain out OVER the big ring, and now shifting is all jacked up. It's the second FD I've had issues with, and I'm starting to think that my Shimano 105 FD doesn't like my FSA crankset. Going to take it to the LBS tomorrow...
Passed another guy with a mechanical on the way home and stopped to see if he needed help. He had actually cracked the chainstay from where it meets the seatstay at the back of the triangle by the RD. Not much I could do for him other than wish him luck on his walk home.
@mcsqueak
Bummer. I'm sorry. Fortunately, I had managed to get in 40/50km and the last 10km was pretty much downhill, so the ride was more or less done (and thoroughly enjoyed up to that point). Of course, when I "head" a POW, that's Canadian for "heard." Best of luck with the FD. Mine was a relatively easy break and subsequent fix. Seems as though you have a deeper issue there, which could be frustrating.
@xyxax
Good on you! It gets wayyyyyy easier each time. Before long you will be pulling out bisons with either hand and riding out of the saddle on the rollers. Enjoy those cookies and cartoons, you earned them! :)
@Rob
Ha, that'll be the day! I will be glued to your wheel for the draft and to glean as much knowledge from you that I can!
@Blah
If that's name dropping, then drop away! I love to live vicariously through you guys that have actually met the pros and been to the "real" races. I have never met a big pro or been to a big race. Love to hear the stories about my cycling "heroes", even Phil and Paul. Soooooo cool to hear that they are real cool and modest folks. Makes me like them even more!
@Buck Rogers
They were great. The VMH said she was enjoying seeing the race live rather than on TV and Sherwen said something along the lines of it must be a nice break from listening to them talk shit for four hours. Funny guys.
@Buck Rogers
You're setting the pace, Doc.
And when I get to the bison-pulling level, I just might keep up!
@xyxax
What the fk??? Frick'en auto-spell correction feature sure makes for some interesting posts, eh? But then again, I have been in Texas for four months now, must be going native!
@Steampunk
Man, yesterday I had a super scary experience on my ride. I was descending a decent 2 to 3 km hill and when I hit mid 60's kph all of a sudden my bike developed a fierce wobble that started to increase and get worse and spread throughout the whole bike in a harmonic fashion. Scared the shit out of me and it was so bad that I was holding on for all I could to keep it from crashing out from under me. Started to look for a place to ditch it as I could not get it under control and it kept getting worse. Finally was able to get it slowed down but the wobble did not stop until I brought it under 30 kph. Turns out my rear wheel had a slow leak and was going soft and also the road was grooved chip seal. Just about f'king killed me. Have not been that scared on a bike for many years. Changed out the tube and it was fine on a later decent, although I kept it under 60 kph just because I was a bit gun shy. Scary stuff, there, mate!