Categories: Anatomy of a PhotoLa Vie Velominatus

Anatomy of a Photo: Bike Love

The look, of love... Photo via Oli's Tumblr

I got new wheels last week and got them mounted with tires by the weekend. Then @Haldy had to help me with a clearance problem on Sunday (27mm FMB Paris-Roubaix’s get to be more like 29mm tires after Francois finishes his lunchtime bottle of wine). When I wasn’t looking, @Haldy put orange cable ends on all the cables. A Velominatus can’t resist doing that sort of thing, you see.

Between the new wheels and orange bits, I feel like I have a new bike. I brought her up into the dining room and have spent yesterday evening and today morning working from the dining room table so I can gaze at her while “thinking”.

I’m tempted to bring her to work today, but I’ve got a few client meetings and I’m afraid my customers might think it a bit strange if I walk into the conference room wheeling my bike. The key thing that separates us from the rest of the world is that we think its normal to stare lovingly at an inanimate object.

We are Cyclists; the rest of the world merely rides a bike. Vive la Vie Velominatus.

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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View Comments

Barracuda says:

Mar 31 2015 at 7:24 pm

@Mikael Liddy

Last week’s bingle has had me on the commuter much more in the last few days, I forgot how pretty she is…

There is nothing that i dont like about that !! Treadly build?
PeakInTwoYears says:

Mar 31 2015 at 9:03 pm

@Haldy

I'd be grateful to know where you source the housing. I found one source of orange housing, but I'm just an ignorant git.
Mikael Liddy says:

Mar 31 2015 at 9:52 pm

@RedRanger Cheers, the VMW did pretty good without much input from yours truly.

@Barracuda yup, with a small cameo from East End Cellars plugging the bars...
Haldy says:

Mar 31 2015 at 10:06 pm

@PeakInTwoYears

@Haldy

I’d be grateful to know where you source the housing. I found one source of orange housing, but I’m just an ignorant git.

Are you referring to the brand of housing or which vendor? I have 3 or 4 different vendors to get orange housing from.
the Engine says:

Apr 1 2015 at 12:39 am

@Haldy

@PeakInTwoYears

When @frank gets back from the Keeper’s Tour we will have to wrestle his baby away from him and make that orange housing happen. I am sure it will need another thorough cleaning after crushing some souls across the fields of Flanders and Northern France.

Fortunately I have no soul - I don't cast a shadow either.

Also mirrors don't work for me which makes shaving a bitch.
RobSandy says:

Apr 1 2015 at 1:19 am

Before my TT a month ago I was keeping my bike in the house as I was doing a lot of turbo sessions. Since then it's gone back in the shed and I realised I haven't cleaned it since!

I feel bad. I mean, it's not dirty, dirty. But I know it's not clean and that's just as bad.

Taking it down to the in-laws this weekend so I can give it a full clean and polish and be able to pass it off to the VMW as 'packing'.
Flatlander says:

Apr 1 2015 at 2:39 am

@Barracuda

https://www.amara.com/products/trophy-bull-bicycle-holder-lux-finish-copper?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&amss=22h&pdg=50500048950__77807288310_c_1o1&gclid=CjwKEAjwru6oBRDDp4jRj4bL_xASJADJ2oby-hmHAq9mhEVnOmlye1Up0kaEyd_wJcMhyaxGEuQcURoCeZzw_wcB
wilburrox says:

Apr 1 2015 at 4:27 am

I have NO IDEA where to post this... PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS SOME KIND OF APRIL FOOLS JOKE. Early this am I receive an email from Trek saying they've teamed up with Fabian to create Monument, a grand show of olfactory prestige, with top notes of Arenberg cobblestone. Years of development. A new fragrance for champions. I've waited all week for right time to use the word of the week: FUCKBALLS. If this is a real deal then wha la, Spartacus, he just jumped the shark ! If it's an April Fools thing? Friggen classic. >>> Whether you're laying down the hammer in the boardroom or on the Paterberg, Monument is the way to ensure your decisive victory <<< Oh man, please, please, please let this be an April Fools joke. It could be a really good one.
RobSandy says:

Apr 1 2015 at 4:32 am

@wilburrox

I have NO IDEA where to post this… PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS SOME KIND OF APRIL FOOLS JOKE. Early this am I receive an email from Trek saying they’ve teamed up with Fabian to create Monument, a grand show of olfactory prestige, with top notes of Arenberg cobblestone. Years of development. A new fragrance for champions. I’ve waited all week for right time to use the word of the week: FUCKBALLS. If this is a real deal then wha la, Spartacus, he just jumped the shark ! If it’s an April Fools thing? Friggen classic. >>> Whether you’re laying down the hammer in the boardroom or on the Paterberg, Monument is the way to ensure your decisive victory <<< Oh man, please, please, please let this be an April Fools joke. It could be a really good one.

Obviously.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/april-fools-day-cycling-round-up-43963/
KogaLover says:

Apr 1 2015 at 5:07 am

Fortunately I have a picture of my bike as desktop wallpaper, so I can still stare at it while at work.

Btw: does anyone know where to get orange spacers to match the black V-cuffs? I tried a couple of LBS's but none of them have them (not even in the Netherlands!). Any online site?