Categories: Accessories and GearThe BikesThe RidesThe Rules

Voices and Echoes

Doubt. It speaks in whispered tones but echoes in our actions and lingers heavy on the mind. It is a thing that weaves itself into the seeds of our dreams and erodes vision into whim. Doubt leads to uncertainty; uncertainty to fear; fear prevents us from reaching as high as we might.

Doubt is a clingy thing. Like a snowball dropped down a mountainside in a cartoon, it starts small but grows upon its own weight. It continues to collect more doubt until finally it crushes any positive thought. Doubt is the fundamental element of the Anti-V.

As Cyclists, our morale rests on a knife’s edge where the slightest drop of grace can send us into the waiting arms of La Volupté while even the smallest grain of doubt can draw us to the cold anvil of her husband, the Man with the Hammer. Little things such as a freshly wrapped set of bars or a recently cleaned and silenced drivetrain can send morale skyrocketing, even in otherwise atrocious conditions. An elusive click or creak, on the other hand, can coax squares from even the most magnificent of strokes.

Clicks, creaks, or a misfiring drivetrain are guaranteed to send me into a tailspin of frustration and doubt; if my machine disobeys the Principle of Silence or malfunctions, I am sure to face a dismal day on the bike. Clean kit and freshly shaven guns, particularly when the guns are glistening with sweat or rain, is for me one of the greatest sources of form and good morale. To see the muscles moving under the smooth, tanned skin as they strain with effort instantly sends away any lingering doubt and leaves only optimism and drive, my conditioning and training cease to hold sway over my desire and willingness to suffer. And when we are willing to suffer, we can do anything.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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DerHoggz says:

Jan 15 2013 at 6:20 am

I had the most amazing ride in months on Saturday, probably because it was warm enough to go sans kneewarmers.
CanuckChuck says:

Jan 15 2013 at 7:46 am

Speaking of silence, any off-road savvy Velomati know how to silence disc brake squeal (XT Hydraulic if that makes a difference) on a MTB? I had success using car disc brake anti squeal spray, but this made the pads very hard to remove (and I suspect it is probably not really appropriate to use on bicycle parts).

Brake squeal has got to be the most anti-V sound a machine can emit...
PeakInTwoYears says:

Jan 15 2013 at 8:11 am

@CanuckChuck

Others with more experience will contribute, but this has worked for me (and was recommended by an experienced wrench): remove the pads and rotors, clean them with isopropyl alcohol, resurface them on some sandpaper, clean them again, and reinstall. Once they're on the bike again, burn the pads in by making a dozen or so hard but controlled stops from speed.

But if your pads have been contaminated (with cleaning agents, lubricants, or even skin oil), you'll have to replace them.
PeakInTwoYears says:

Jan 15 2013 at 8:13 am

@CanuckChuck

Here you go: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday-Silence-That-Squeaky-Disc-Brake-2011.html
frank says:

Jan 15 2013 at 9:31 am

@Enoch

Luckily there is no rule against correcting the grammar and spelling of the Keepers. Else I would find myself doing hill repeats in penance.

Grr. I hate when I forget to proof read the title. Had it right in the article, at least. 50%, then. That's an "A" in some school districts.
frank says:

Jan 15 2013 at 9:35 am

@AirlessWing

However, as great as clean clothes and pristine legs are, there is great satisfaction to be had in acquiring the Flanders Facialand being slathered with sweat, rain, and grime from any number of impromptu circumstances. If I look like the creature from the black lagoon, my legs feel as monstrous as my face appears.

Preachin' to the choir, brother! Its impossible for me not to kill it in the rain with knee warmers on and wool booties. Every time I look at my legs, I just get physched!

On our Cogal last week on Maui, we had a significant section of dirt roads in the pouring rain. We all were covered in mud - it was fantastic!

Case in point:
frank says:

Jan 15 2013 at 9:40 am

@LA Dave

Another one of many great posts Frank. I hope some of these are going to make the book, they are gold.

Very little of what we've written here will be in the book - its all new material, for the most part - although its hard to say some of these things without repeating yourself a bit. We genuinely hope you like the book, but at this point, its coming out of our ears, so its hard judge from where we're sitting.

@Dan_R

Frank,

"And when we are willing to suffer, we can do anything." Words more people should live by. I doubt every day. I fear every day. But it is what we do with that doubt or fear that is important.

Whenever I get doubtful, I work extra hard to squash it out. Other people bluff, some try to trick people, but nothing beats good old fashioned hard work!

@Jay

I found this quote a while ago and I liked it; plus, it somehow seems appropriate:

"To be a cyclist is to be a student of pain....at cycling's core lies pain, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach. It doesn't matter if you're sprinting for an Olympic medal, a town sign, a trailhead, or the rest stop with the homemade brownies. If you never confront pain, you're missing the essence of the sport. Without pain, there's no adversity. Without adversity, no challenge. Without challenge, no improvement. No improvement, no sense of accomplishment and no deep"”down joy. Might as well be playing Tiddly"”Winks." "” Scott Martin

I don't know who Scott Martin is, but I like the quote.

Great quote!
frank says:

Jan 15 2013 at 9:43 am

@thomas

Rule number ??? - the bike shall not creak, groan or make unnecessary noise... the rider should be capable of laying down The V in splendid silence.

Covered under Rule 65, I'm afraid.

@zalamanda

@frahnk, you're a poet... Mao had the Little Red Book, Morrison had the Lords and New Creatures: you should print the Book of Strack; Voices In My Head

What a terrifying thought!

@Ron

None of my steel bikes ever makes a peep. #1 carbon, occasionally. It has been making them lately, but just for around the first minute of the ride. I guess carbon needs to be warmed up, like an engine in winter? I'm letting it go & hoping it goes away.

I've had those too, but have no idea what they are - happens in the cold, as well. If the bike is properly lubed, though (seat pins etc) then it shouldn't do that, however...

@DerHoggz

I had the most amazing ride in months on Saturday, probably because it was warm enough to go sans kneewarmers.

98% of my form on Maui came from riding in summer kit. After possibly the wettest Fall In History - and not riding in dry shoes for several months - it was absolutely fantastic!
frank says:

Jan 15 2013 at 9:45 am

@CanuckChuck

Speaking of silence, any off-road savvy Velomati know how to silence disc brake squeal (XT Hydraulic if that makes a difference) on a MTB?

Yes, ride a CX bike with cantis.

@PeakInTwoYears

@CanuckChuck

Others with more experience will contribute, but this has worked for me (and was recommended by an experienced wrench): remove the pads and rotors, clean them with isopropyl alcohol, resurface them on some sandpaper, clean them again, and reinstall. Once they're on the bike again, burn the pads in by making a dozen or so hard but controlled stops from speed.

But if your pads have been contaminated (with cleaning agents, lubricants, or even skin oil), you'll have to replace them.

Or this.
itburns says:

Jan 15 2013 at 11:00 am

@the Engine

Blessed indeed are the cheese-makers...

I'm sure you meant any manufactures of dairy products.