Categories: Belgian AffirmationsCyclocrossLe Graveur

Anatomy of a Graveur

Photo via F&O Forgotten Nobility

I am a road cyclist, at heart. Even when I’m in a car, I’ll daydream about riding the same road I’m driving. I’ll imagine how the tarmac might feel as my wheels carry me across it, the wind, the smells in the air. I’ll imagine how my lungs are expanding and contracting, cleansing me a little with every exhale. In my mind’s legs, I’ll feel the pressure building as I imagine myself rising out of the saddle to power over a pitch. I know I would feel the pain of such a ride, but I can’t really imagine what it would feel like. I can never really imagine pain.

The paved road is where we are the closest we will ever be to achieving flight. To restrict ourselves to tarmac, however, is to restrict ourselves to those places in this world which are most travelled. The most beautiful places do not lie at the end of such roads; they are hidden away, where those with some element of imagination might venture to look for them. A two-lane dirt track, perhaps, or a forest road that winds off beyond the damp forest and on to places unknown.

On gravel and dirt, we find a completely different sensation from that on the road. Certainly, many of the elements are still there, but the terrain demands a different kind of harmony; we dart along from one side of the road to another, looking for the best bits where the holes are smaller and the gravel is held together more. The dust or mud kicked up by our tires hovers in the air about us and covers our lips, teeth, and tongue. Suddenly, we taste the road as much as feel it.

Being away from traffic and in the wilderness awakens something primal in our spirits. The smell of damp dirt, moss, and bark or the baking scent of dry pine needles flushes the city from your senses and immediately awakens a calmer Self. My soul is at peace when I return home from such a ride.

The road is where my heart lies, but gravel is where I find my soul.

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

JohnB says:

Aug 16 2013 at 2:26 pm

@Mike_P

I routinely look at paved roads, river towpaths and tracks while thinking what they might be like to ride. Unfortunately, when it comes to a CX bike it would most definitely = s when thinking on Rule #12.

Maybe @JohnB has got the right idea.

The VMH launched into the 'what! another bike' discussion but the intended sales stopped her in mid rant. I wish I had that power more often.
Kyle says:

Aug 16 2013 at 2:39 pm

There's something magic about riding where the sounds of civilization do not reach.

I'm lucky enough to be able to ride logging roads in northern Wisconsin from time-to-time. Usually know where I am, but sometimes just guessing. Always interesting. Came across a mother bear with three cubs a couple of years ago.
Andrew Crinson says:

Aug 16 2013 at 3:09 pm

Go buy an MTB...
JRA says:

Aug 16 2013 at 3:45 pm

FireRoadie!
frank says:

Aug 16 2013 at 4:22 pm

@mcsqueak

"In my mind's legs", ha - brilliant.

You know, you write pretty well for one of them nerdy computer programmers...

Hey, why are the eyes the exclusive domain of the mind? What about those ghost smells you have, or that impulse you fight when Brett is talking and you want to punch something? For those occasions, I submit "In my mind's eye/nose/legs/fingers/punch Brett in the face.
frank says:

Aug 16 2013 at 4:25 pm

@Marko

On last evening's ride I ventured down an old logging trail I hadn't ridden before. As these roads often do around here gravel turned to sand/boulders turned to grass turned to ferns and petered out. As I shouldered my bike to look for any possible way through I looked down and saw what can only be described as a bumper crop of blueberries. I sat down and gorged myself like a fat bear before turning back and enjoying the gravel ride home. Nice article Frank.

I used to do a LOT of offroad riding in that part of the word. A LOT. We didn't have CX rigs then, but I think Jermey is a genius for organizing the Heck of the North, focused on CX rigs, not MTBs. Mind youif there are more than a few places where you will be happy for a 2" tire and not a 33mm with drop bars, but of you point yourself in the right places, it's drop bar knobby tire heaven out there.

seroiusly crossing the old fingers I can get out for Heck.
PeakInTwoYears says:

Aug 16 2013 at 4:26 pm

@frank

@mcsqueak

"In my mind's legs", ha - brilliant.

You know, you write pretty well for one of them nerdy computer programmers...

Hey, why are the eyes the exclusive domain of the mind? What about those ghost smells you have, or that impulse you fight when Brett is talking and you want to punch something? For those occasions, I submit "In my mind's eye/nose/legs/fingers/punch Brett in the face.

That's your mother's Bene Gesserit training talking, Muad'Dib.
frank says:

Aug 16 2013 at 4:27 pm

@El Scorcho

I rode strictly dirt for 8 years before finding my way to the tarmac.

The peace and solitude that can be found when outside the bounds of civilization has no equal.

Backcountry skiing does the same thing. Just get away and rely - even in the slightest way - on your wit, and you will earn two weeks' vacation at a resort in about 4 hours in the wilderness.
frank says:

Aug 16 2013 at 4:29 pm

@JohnB

It's purely thanks to this community that I sold my #2 and #3 bikes to finance a CX bike this year. The new #2. Reading Franks words on riding the gravel inspired me to venture where the MTB felt under utilised. I'll still keep that for the true Scottish mountain trails and single track but the buzz of riding drop bars and skinny knobblies over gravel roads has pulled on my handling skills and enhanced my time with my bikes.

The next Scottish V ride on 31 August is predominantly off road. There was hesitation over calling it a Cogal. This article confirms that it deserves the title. Thank you.

While I don't endorse the means, I fully endorse the end and the spirit. If, for some reason, I had to ditch the bikes, I'd land on the #1 and Graveur.
frank says:

Aug 16 2013 at 4:30 pm

@V-olcano

Beautifully written Frank. I could do without you constantly inspiring n+1 bike lust in me though. My wife likes you less and less....

Rule 5, 11, 12