The Rules

We are the Keepers of the Cog. In so being, we also maintain the sacred text wherein lie the simple truths of cycling etiquette known as The Rules. It is in our trust to maintain and endorse this list.

The Rules lie at the beginning of The Path to La Vie Velominatus, not at the end; learning to balance them against one another and to welcome them all into your life as a Velominatus is a never-ending struggle waged between form and function as we continue along The Path towards transcension.

See also The Prophet’s Prayer.

  1. // Obey The Rules.
  2. // Lead by example.It is forbidden for someone familiar with The Rules to knowingly assist another person to breach them.1
  3. // Guide the uninitiated.No matter how good you think your reason is to knowingly breach The Rules, it is never good enough.
  4. // It’s all about the bike. It is, absolutely, without question, unequivocally, about the bike. Anyone who says otherwise is obviously a twatwaffle.
  5. // Harden The Fuck Up. 2,20
  6. // Free your mind and your legs will follow.Your mind is your worst enemy. Do all your thinking before you start riding your bike.  Once the pedals start to turn, wrap yourself in the sensations of the ride – the smell of the air, the sound of the tires, the feeling of flight as the bicycle rolls over the road.
  7. // Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp.Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.
  8. // Saddles, bars, and tires shall be carefully matched.3Valid options are:

    Match the saddle to the bars and the tires to black; or

    Match the bars to the color of the frame at the top of the head tube and the saddle to the color of the frame at the top of the seat tube and the tires to the color where they come closest to the frame; or

    Match the saddle and the bars to the frame decals; or

    Black, black, black

  9. // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face. This is a rider who loves the work.
  10. // It never gets easier, you just go faster.As this famous quote by Greg LeMan tells us, training, climbing, and racing is hard. It stays hard. To put it another way, per Greg Henderson: “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.” Sur la Plaque, fucktards.4
  11. // Family does not come first. The bike does.Sean Kelly, being interviewed after the ’84 Amstel Gold Race, spots his wife leaning against his Citroën AX. He interrupts the interview to tell her to get off the paintwork, to which she shrugs, “In your life the car comes first, then the bike, then me.” Instinctively, he snaps back, “You got the order wrong. The bike comes first.”21
  12. // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
  13. // If you draw race number 13, turn it upside down.Paradoxically, the same mind that holds such control over the body is also woefully fragile and prone to superstitious thought. It fills easily with doubt and is distracted by ancillary details. This is why the tape must always be perfect, the machine silent, the kit spotless. And, if you draw the unlucky Number 13, turn it upside down to counter-act its negative energy.
  14. // Shorts should be black.Team-issue shorts should be black, with the possible exception of side-panels, which may match the rest of the team kit.
  15. // Black shorts should also be worn with leader’s jerseys.Black shorts, or at least standard team-kit shorts, must be worn with Championship jerseys and race leadership jerseys. Don’t over-match your kit, or accept that you will look like a douche.
  16. // Respect the jersey.Championship and race leader jerseys must only be worn if you’ve won the championship or led the race.
  17. // Team kit is for members of the team.Wearing Pro team kit is also questionable if you’re not paid to wear it.  If you must fly the colors of Pro teams, all garments should match perfectly, i.e no Mapei jersey with Kelme shorts and Telekom socks.
  18. // Know what to wear. Don’t suffer kit confusion.No baggy shorts and jerseys while riding the road bike. No lycra when riding the mountain bike (unless racing XC). Skin suits only for cyclocross.
  19. // Introduce Yourself.If you deem it appropriate to join a group of riders who are not part of an open group ride and who are not your mates, it is customary and courteous to announce your presence. Introduce yourself and ask if you may join the group. If you have been passed by a group, wait for an invitation, introduce yourself, or let them go. The silent joiner is viewed as ill-mannered and Anti-V. Conversely, the joiner who can’t shut their cakehole is no better and should be dropped from the group at first opportunity.
  20. // There are only three remedies for pain.These are:

    If your quads start to burn, shift forward to use your hamstrings and calves, or

    If your calves or hamstrings start to burn, shift back to use your quads, or

    If you feel wimpy and weak, meditate on  Rule #5 and train more!

  21. // Cold weather gear is for cold weather.Knickers, vests, arm warmers, shoe covers, and caps beneath your helmet can all make you look like a hardman, when the weather warrants their use. If it isn’t wet or cold, save your Flandrian Best for Flemish weather.
  22. // Cycling caps are for cycling.Cycling caps can be worn under helmets, but never when not riding, no matter how hip you think you look. This will render one a douche, and should result in public berating or beating. The only time it is acceptable to wear a cycling cap is while directly engaged in cycling activities and while clad in cycling kit. This includes activities taking place prior to and immediately after the ride such as machine tuning and tire pumping.  Also included are cafe appearances for pre-ride espressi and post-ride pub appearances for body-refueling ales (provided said pub has sunny, outdoor patio – do not stray inside a pub wearing kit or risk being ceremoniously beaten by leather-clad biker chicks).   Under these conditions, having your cap skull-side tipped jauntily at a rakish angle is, one might say, de rigueur. All good things must be taken in measure, however, and as such it is critical that we let sanity and good taste prevail: as long as the first sip of the relevant caffeine or hop-based beverage is taken whilst beads of sweat, snow, or rain are still evident on one’s brow then it is legitimate for the cap to be worn. However, once all that remains in the cranial furrows is salt, it is then time to shower, throw on some suitable aprés-ride attire (a woollen Molteni Arcore training top circa ’73 comes to mind) and return to the bar, folded copy of pastel-coloured news publication in hand, ready for formal fluid replacement. It is also helpful if you are a Giant of the Road, as demonstrated here, rather than a giant douchebag. 5
  23. // Tuck only after reaching Escape Velocity.You may only employ the aerodynamic tuck after you have spun out your 53 x 11; the tuck is to be engaged only when your legs can no longer keep up. Your legs make you go fast, and trying to keep your fat ass out of the wind only serves to keep you from slowing down once you reach escape velocity. Thus, the tuck is only to be employed to prevent you slowing down when your legs have wrung the top end out of your block. Tucking prematurely while descending is the antithesis of Casually Deliberate. For more on riding fast downhill see Rule #64 and Rule #85.
  24. // Speeds and distances shall be referred to and measured in kilometers. This includes while discussing cycling in the workplace with your non-cycling coworkers, serving to further mystify our sport in the web of their Neanderthalic cognitive capabilities. As the confused expression spreads across their unibrowed faces, casually mention your shaved legs. All of cycling’s monuments are measured in the metric system and as such the English system is forbidden.
  25. // The bikes on top of your car should be worth more than the car. Or at least be relatively more expensive.  Basically, if you’re putting your Huffy on your Rolls, you’re in trouble, mister. Remember what Sean said.
  26. // Make your bike photogenic.When photographing your bike, gussy her up properly for the camera. Some parameters are firm: valve stems at 6 o’clock. Cranks never at 90 or 180 degrees. Others are at your discretion, though the accepted practices include putting the chain on the big dog, and no bidons in the cages.
  27. // Shorts and socks should be like Goldilocks.Not too long and not too short. (Disclaimer: despite Sean Yates’ horrible choice in shorts length, he is a quintessential hard man of cycling and is deeply admired by the Velominati. Whereas Armstrong’s short and sock lengths are just plain wrong.) No socks is a no-no, as are those ankle-length ones that should only be worn by female tennis players.
  28. // Socks can be any damn colour you like.White is old school cool. Black is cool too, but were given a bad image by a Texan whose were too long.  If you feel you must go colored, make sure they damn well match your kit. Tip: DeFeet Wool-E-Ators rule.
  29. // No European Posterior Man-Satchels.Saddle bags have no place on a road bike, and are only acceptable on mountain bikes in extreme cases.
  30. // No frame-mounted pumps.Either Co2 cannisters or mini-pumps should be carried in jersey pockets (See Rule #31). The only exception to this rule is to mount a Silca brand frame pump in the rear triangle of the frame, with the rear wheel skewer as the pump mount nob, as demonstrated by members of the 7-Eleven and Ariostea pro cycling teams. As such, a frame pump mounted upside-down and along the left (skewer lever side) seat stay is both old skool and Euro and thus acceptable. We restate at this time that said pump may under no circumstances be a Zefal and must be made by Silca. Said Silca pump must be fitted with a Campagnolo head. It is acceptable to gaffer-tape a mini-pump to your frame when no C02 cannisters are available and your pockets are full of spare kit and energy gels. However, the rider should expect to be stopped and questioned and may be required to empty pockets to prove there is no room in them for the pump.
  31. // Spare tubes, multi-tools and repair kits should be stored in jersey pockets.If absolutely necessary, in a converted bidon in a cage on bike. Or, use one of these.
  32. // Humps are for camels: no hydration packs.Hydration packs are never to be seen on a road rider’s body. No argument will be entered into on this. For MTB, they are cool.
  33. // Shave your guns.Legs are to be carefully shaved at all times. If, for some reason, your legs are to be left hairy, make sure you can dish out plenty of hurt to shaved riders, or be considered a hippie douche on your way to a Critical Mass. Whether you use a straight razor or a Bowie knife, use Baxter to keep them smooth.
  34. // Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place.On a mountain bike.
  35. // No visors on the road.Road helmets can be worn on mountain bikes, but never the other way around. If you want shade, see Rule #22.
  36. // Eyewear shall be cycling specific.No Aviator shades, blueblockers, or clip-on covers for eye glasses.
  37. // The arms of the eyewear shall always be placed over the helmet straps.No exceptions. This is for various reasons that may or may not matter; it’s just the way it is.
  38. // Don’t Play Leap Frog.Train Properly: if you get passed by someone, it is nothing personal, just accept that on the day/effort/ride they were stronger than you. If you can’t deal, work harder. But don’t go playing leap frog to get in front only to be taken over again (multiple times) because you can’t keep up the pace. Especially don’t do this just because the person overtaking you is a woman. Seriously. Get over it.
  39. // Never ride without your eyewear.You should not make a habit of riding without eyewear, although approved extenuating circumstances include fog, overheating, and lighting condition. When not worn over the eyes, they should be neatly tucked into the vents of your helmet.  If they don’t fit, buy a new helmet. In the meantime you can wear them backwards on the back of your head or carefully tuck them into your jersey pocket, making sure not to scratch them on your tools (see item 31).
  40. // Tires are to be mounted with the label centered over the valve stem.Pro mechanics do it because it makes it easier to find the valve. You do this because that’s the way pro mechanics do it. This will save you precious seconds while your fat ass sits on the roadside fumbling with your CO2 after a flat. It also looks better for photo opportunities. Note: This obviously only applies to clinchers as tubulars don’t give you a choice.
  41. // Quick-release levers are to be carefully positioned.Quick release angle on the front skewer shall be an upward angle which tightens just aft of the fork and the rear quick release shall tighten at an angle that bisects angle between the seat and chain stays. It is acceptable, however, to have the rear quick release tighten upward, just aft of the seat stay, when the construction of the frame or its dropouts will not allow the preferred positioning. For Time Trial bikes only, quick releases may be in the horizontal position facing towards the rear of the bike. This is for maximum aero effect.9
  42. // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.If it’s preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run, it is not called a bike race, it is called duathlon or a triathlon. Neither of which is a bike race. Also keep in mind that one should only swim in order to prevent drowning, and should only run if being chased. And even then, one should only run fast enough to prevent capture.
  43. // Don’t be a jackass.But if you absolutely must be a jackass, be a funny jackass. Always remember, we’re all brothers and sisters on the road.
  44. // Position matters.In order to find the V-Locus, a rider’s handlebars on their road bike must always be lower than their saddle. The only exception to this is if you’re revolutionizing the sport, in which case you must also be prepared to break the World Hour Record. The minimum allowable tolerance is 4cm; there is no maximum, but people may berate you if they feel you have them too low.
  45. // Slam your stem.A maximum stack height of 2cm is allowed below the stem and a single 5mm spacer must always – always – be stacked above. A “slammed down” stack height is preferable; meaning that the stem is positioned directly on the top race of the headset.
  46. // Keep your bars level.Handlebars will be mounted parallel to the ground or angled slightly upward. While they may never be pointed down at all, they may be angled up slightly; allowed handlebar tilt is to be between 180 and 175 degrees with respect to the level road. The brake levers will preferably be mounted such that the end of the brake lever is even with the bottom of the bar.  Modern bars, however, dictate that this may not always be possible, so tolerances are permitted within reason. Brake hoods should not approach anything near 45 degrees, as some riders with poor taste have been insisting on doing.
  47. // Drink Tripels, don’t ride triples.Cycling and beer are so intertwined we may never understand the full relationship. Beer is a recovery drink, an elixir for post-ride trash talking and a just plain excellent thing to pour down the neck. We train to drink so don’t fool around. Drink quality beer from real breweries. If it is brewed with rice instead of malted barley or requires a lime, you are off the path. Know your bittering units like you know your gear length. Life is short, don’t waste it on piss beer.
  48. // Saddles must be level and pushed back.The seating area of a saddle is to be visually level, with the base measurement made using a spirit level. Based on subtleties of saddle design and requirements of comfort, the saddle may then be pitched slightly forward or backward to reach a position that offers stability, power, and comfort. If the tilt of the saddle exceeds two degrees, you need to go get one of those saddles with springs and a thick gel pad because you are obviously a big pussy. The midpoint of the saddle as measured from tip to tail shall fall well behind and may not be positioned forward of the line made by extending the seat tube through the top of the saddle. (Also see Rule #44.)
  49. // Keep the rubber side down.It is completely unacceptable to intentionally turn one’s steed upside down for any reason under any circumstances. Besides the risk of scratching the saddle, levers and stem, it is unprofessional and a disgrace to your loyal steed. The risk of the bike falling over is increased, wheel removal/replacement is made more difficult and your bidons will leak. The only reason a bicycle should ever be in an upside down position is during mid-rotation while crashing. This Rule also applies to upside down saddle-mount roof bars.23
  50. // Facial hair is to be carefully regulated.No full beards, no moustaches. Goatees are permitted only if your name starts with “Marco” and ends with “Pantani”, or if your head is intentionally or unintentionally bald. One may never shave on the morning of an important race, as it saps your virility, and you need that to kick ass.
  51. // Livestrong wristbands are cockrings for your arms.While we hate cancer, isn’t it better to just donate some money and not have to advertise the fact for the next five years? You may as well get “tryhard wanker” tattooed on your forehead. Or you may well be a bogan.
  52. // Drink in Moderation.Bidons are to be small in size. 500-610ml maximum, no extra large vessels are to be seen on one’s machine. Two cages can be mounted, but only one bidon on rides under two hours is to be employed. Said solo bidon must be placed in the downtube cage only. You may only ride with a bidon in the rear cage if you have a front bidon, or you just handed your front bidon to a fan at the roadside and you are too busy crushing everyone to move it forward until you take your next drink. Bidons should match each other and preferably your bike and/or kit. The obvious exception is the classic Coca-Cola bidon which by default matches any bike and/or kit due to its heritage. Coca-Cola should only be consumed flat and near the end of a long ride or all-day solo breakaway on the roads of France.
  53. // Keep your kit clean and new.As a courtesy to those around you, your kit should always be freshly laundered, and, under no circumstances should the crackal region of your shorts be worn out or see-through.
  54. // No aerobars on road bikes.Aerobars or other clip-on attachments are under no circumstances to be employed on your road bike. The only exception to this is if you are competing in a mountain timetrial.
  55. // Earn your turns.If you are riding down a mountain, you must first have ridden up the mountain. It is forbidden to employ powered transportation simply for the cheap thrill of descending. The only exception to this is if you are doing intervals on Alpe d’Huez or the Plan de Corones and you park your car up top before doing 20 repeats of the climb.
  56. // Espresso or macchiato only.When wearing cycling kit and enjoying a pre or post ride coffee, it is only appropriate to drink espresso or macchiato. If the word soy/skim latte is heard to be used by a member wearing cycling apparel, then that person must be ceremonially beaten with Co2 canisters or mini pumps by others within the community.6
  57. // No stickers.Nobody gives a shit what causes you support, what war you’re against, what gear you buy, or what year you rode RAGBRAI.  See Rule #5 and ride your bike. Decals, on the other hand, are not only permissible, but extremely Pro.
  58. // Support your local bike shop.Never buy bikes, parts or accessories online. Going into your local shop, asking myriad inane questions, tying up the staff’s time, then going online to buy is akin to sleeping with your best friend’s wife, then having a beer with him after. If you do purchase parts online, be prepared to mount and maintain them yourself. If you enter a shop with parts you have bought online and expect them to fit them, be prepared to be told to see your online seller for fitting and warranty help.
  59. // Hold your line.Ride predictably, and don’t make sudden movements. And, under no circumstances, are you to deviate from your line.
  60. // Ditch the washer-nut and valve-stem cap.You are not, under any circumstances, to employ the use of the washer-nut and valve-stem cap that come with your inner-tubes or tubulars. They are only supplied to meet shipping regulations. They are useless when it comes to tubes and tires.
  61. // Like your guns, saddles should be smooth and hard.Under no circumstances may your saddle have more than 3mm of padding. Special allowances will be made for stage racing when physical pain caused by subcutaneous cysts and the like (“saddle sores”) are present. Under those conditions, up to 5mm of padding will be allowed – it should be noted that this exception is only temporary until the condition has passed or been excised. A hardman would not change their saddle at all but instead cut a hole in it to relieve pressure on the delicate area. It is noted that if Rule #48 and/or Rule #5 is observed then any “padding” is superfluous.7
  62. // You shall not ride with earphones.Cycling is about getting outside and into the elements and you don’t need to be listening to Queen or Slayer in order to experience that. Immerse yourself in the rhythm and pain, not in whatever 80’s hair band you call “music”.   See Rule #5 and ride your bike.8
  63. // Point in the direction you’re turning.Signal a left turn by pointing your left arm to the left. To signal a right turn, simply point with your right arm to the right. This one is, presumably, mostly for Americans: that right-turn signal that Americans are taught to make with your left arm elbow-out and your forearm pointing upwards was developed for motor-vehicles prior to the invention of the electric turn signal since it was rather difficult to reach from the driver-side all the way out the passenger-side window to signal a right turn. On a bicycle, however, we don’t have this limitation and it is actually quite easy to point your right arm in the direction you are turning. The American right-turn signal just makes you look like you’re waving “hello” to traffic.
  64. // Cornering confidence increases with time and experience.This pattern continues until it falls sharply and suddenly.
  65. // Maintain and respect your machine.Bicycles must adhere to the Principle of Silence and as such must be meticulously maintained. It must be cherished, and when leaning it against a wall, must be leaned carefully such that only the bars, saddle, or tires come in contact with the wall or post.  This is true even when dismounting prior to collapsing after the World Championship Time Trial. No squeaks, creaks, or chain noise allowed. Only the soothing hum of your tires upon the tarmac and the rhythm of your breathing may be audible when riding. When riding the Pave, the sound of chain slap is acceptable. The Principle of Silence can be extended to say that if you are suffering such that your breathing begins to adversely affect the enjoyment of the other riders in the bunch, you are to summarily sit up and allow yourself to be dropped.10
  66. // No  mirrors.Mirrors are allowed on your (aptly named) Surly Big Dummy or your Surly Long Haul Trucker. Not on your road steed. Not on your Mountain bike. Not on your helmet. If someone familiar with The Rules has sold you such an abomination, return the mirror and demand a refund, plus interest and damages.
  67. // Do your time in the wind.Nobody likes a wheel sucker. You might think you’re playing a smart tactical game by letting everyone else do the work while you sit on, but races (even Town Sign Sprints) are won through cooperation and spending time on the rivet, flogging yourself and taking risks. Riding wheels and jumping past at the end is one thing and one thing only: poor sportsmanship.
  68. // Rides are to be measured by quality, not quantity.Rides are to be measured by the quality of their distance and never by distance alone. For climbing rides, distances should be referred to by the amount of vertical covered; flat and rolling rides should be referred to by their distance and average speed. For example, declaring “We rode 4km” would assert that 4000m were climbed during the ride, with the distance being irrelevant. Conversely, a flat ride of 150km at 23kmh is not something that should be discussed in an open forum and Rule #5 must be reviewed at once.7
  69. // Cycling shoes and bicycles are made for riding.Any walking conducted while wearing cycling shoes must be strictly limited. When taking a slash or filling bidons during a 200km ride (at 38kmh, see Rule #68) one is to carefully stow one’s bicycle at the nearest point navigable by bike and walk the remaining distance. It is strictly prohibited that under any circumstances a cyclist should walk up a steep incline, with the obvious exception being when said incline is blocked by riders who crashed because you are on the Koppenberg. For clarification, see Rule #5.7
  70. // The purpose of competing is to win.End of. Any reference to not achieving this should be referred immediately to Rule #5.11
  71. // Train Properly.Know how to train properly and stick to your training plan. Ignore other cyclists with whom you are not intentionally riding. The time for being competitive is not during your training rides, but during competition.
  72. // Legs speak louder than words.Unless you routinely demonstrate your riding superiority and the smoothness of your Stroke, refrain from discussing your power meter, heartrate, or any other riding data.  Also see Rule #74.
  73. // Gear and brake cables should be cut to optimum length.Cables should create a perfect arc around the headtube and, whenever possible, cross under the downtube. Right shifter cable should go to the left cable stop and vice versa.
  74. // V Meters or small computers only.Forego the data and ride on feel; little compares to the pleasure of riding as hard as your mind will allow. Learn to read your body, meditate on Rule #5, and learn to push yourself to your limit. Power meters, heart rate monitors and GPS are bulky, ugly and superfluous. Any cycle computer, if deemed necessary, should be simple, small, mounted on the stem and wireless.
  75. // Race numbers are for races.Remove it from your frame before the next training ride because no matter how cool you think it looks, it does not look cool. Unless you are in a race. In which case it looks cool.
  76. // Helmets are to be hung from your stem.When not worn, helmets are to be clipped to the stem and draped over your handlebars thusly.
  77. // Respect the earth; don’t litter.Cycling is not an excuse to litter. Do not throw your empty gel packets, energy bar wrappers or punctured tubes on the road or in the bush. Stuff em in your jersey pockets, and repair that tube when you get home.12
  78. // Remove unnecessary gear.When racing in a criterium of 60 minutes or less the second (unused) water bottle cage must be removed in order to preserve the aesthetic of the racing machine.13
  79. // Fight for your town lines.Town lines must be contested or at least faked if you’re not in to it or too shagged to do anything but pedal the bike.
  80. // Always be Casually Deliberate.Waiting for others pre-ride or at the start line pre-race, you must be tranquilo, resting on your top tube thusly. This may be extended to any time one is aboard the bike, but not riding it, such as at stop lights.15
  81. // Don’t talk it up.Rides and crashes may only be discussed and recounted in detail when the rider required external assistance in recovery or recuperation. Otherwise refer to Rule #5.
  82. // Close the gap.Whilst riding in cold and/or  Rule #9 conditions replete with arm warmers, under no circumstances is there to be any exposed skin between the hems of your kit and the hems of your arm warmers. If this occurs, you either need to wear a kit that fits you properly or increase the size of your guns. Arm warmers may, however, be shoved to the wrists in Five and Dime scenarios, particularly those involving Rule #9 conditions. The No-Gap Principle also applies to knee and leg warmers with the variation that these are under no circumstances to be scrunched down around the ankles; Merckx have mercy on whomever is caught in such a sad, sorry state. It is important to note that while one can wear arm warmers without wearing knee or leg warmers, one cannot wear knee or leg warmers without wearing arm warmers (or a long sleeve jersey). It is completely inappropriate to have uncovered arms, while covering the knees, with the exception of brief periods of time when the arm warmers may be shoved to the wrists while going uphill in a Five and Dime situation. If the weather changes and one must remove a layer, the knee/leg coverings must go before the arm coverings. If that means that said rider must take off his knee or leg warmers while racing, then this is a skill he must be accomplished in. The single exception would be before an event in which someone plans on wearing neither arm or leg warmers while racing, but would like to keep the legs warm before the event starts; though wearing a long sleeve jersey over the racing kit at this time is also advised. One must not forget to remove said leg warmers. 16
  83. // Be self-sufficient.Unless you are followed by a team car, you will repair your own punctures. You will do so expediently, employing your own skills, using your own equipment, and without complaining that your expensive tyres are too tight for your puny thumbs to fit over your expensive rim. The fate of a rider who has failed to equip himself pursuant to Rule #31, or who knows not how to use said equipment, shall be determined at the discretion of any accompanying or approaching rider in accordance with Rule #84.17
  84. // Follow the Code.Consistently with The Code Of The Domestique, the announcement of a flat tyre in a training ride entitles – but does not oblige – all riders then present in the bunch to cease riding without fear of being labelled Pussies. All stopped riders are thereupon entitled – but not obliged – to lend assistance, instruction and/or stringent criticism of the tyre mender’s technique. The duration of a Rule #84 stop is entirely discretionary, but is generally inversely proportional to the duration of the remaining time available for post-ride espresso.17
  85. // Descend like a Pro.All descents shall be undertaken at speeds commonly regarded as “ludicrous” or “insane” by those less talented. In addition all corners will be traversed in an outside-inside-outside trajectory, with the outer leg extended and the inner leg canted appropriately (but not too far as to replicate a motorcycle racer, for you are not one), to assist in balance and creation of an appealing aesthetic. Brakes are generally not to be employed, but if absolutely necessary, only just prior to the corner. Also see Rule #64.18
  86. // Don’t half-wheel.Never half-wheel your riding partners; it’s terrible form – it is always the other guy who sets the pace. Unless, of course, you are on the rivet, in which case it’s an excellent intimidation technique.22
  87. // The Ride Starts on Time. No exceptions.The upside of always leaving on time is considerable. Others will be late exactly once. You signal that the sanctity of this ride, like all rides, is not something with which you should muck. You demonstrate, not with words but with actions, your commitment. As a bonus, you make more time for post-ride espresso. “On Time”, of course, is taken to mean at V past the hour or half hour.
  88. // Don’t surge.When rolling onto the front to take your turn in the wind, see Rule #67, do not suddenly lift the pace unless trying to establish a break. The key to maintaining a high average speed is to work with your companions and allow no gaps to form in the line. It is permissible to lift the pace gradually and if this results in people being dropped then they have been ridden off your wheel and are of no use to the bunch anyway. If you are behind someone who jumps on the pedals when they hit the front do not reprimand the offender with cries of ‘Don’t Surge’ unless the offender is a Frenchman named Serge.
  89. // Pronounce it Correctly.All races shall be referred to by the name given in its country of origin, and care shall be taken to pronounce the name as well as possible. For Belgian Races, it is preferable to choose the name given in its region of origin, though it is at the speaker’s discretion to use either the Flemish or Wallonian pronunciation. This principle shall also be extended to apply to riders’ names, bicycle and component marquees, and cycling accoutrements.
  90. // Never Get Out of the Big Ring.If it gets steeper, just push harder on the pedals. When pressed on the matter, the Apostle Johan Museeuw simply replied, “Yes, why would you slow down?” It is, of course, acceptable to momentarily shift into the inner ring when scaling the 20% ramps of the Kapelmuur.
  91. // No Food On Training Rides Under Four Hours.This one also comes from the Apostle, Johan Museeuw, who said to @frank: “Yes, no food on rides under four hours. You need to lose some weight.” Or, as Fignon put it, sometimes, when we train, we simply have to go out to meet the Man with the Hammer. The exception is, of course, hard rides over two hours and races. Also, if you’re planning on being out for more than four hours, start eating before you get hungry. This also applies to energy drink supplements.
  92. // No Sprinting From the HoodsThe only exception is riders whose name starts with Guiseppe and ends with Saronni. See the Goodwood Worlds in 82.24
  93. // Descents are not for recovery. Recovery Ales are for RecoveryDescents are meant to be as hard and demanding as – and much more dangerous than – the climbs. Climb hard, descend to close a gap or open one. Descents should hurt, not be a time for recovery. Recovery is designated only for the pub and for shit-talking.25
  94. // Use the correct tool for the job, and use the tool correctly.Bicycle maintenance is an art; tools are designed to serve specific purposes, and it is essential that the Velominatus learns to use each tool properly when working on their loyal machine.
  95. // Never lift your bike over your head.Under no circumstances is it acceptable to raise one’s machine above your head. The only exception is when placing it onto a car’s roof-rack.

Posts related to The Rules may be found here.

Submit your suggestions in the posts, or via email here.

Credits

1 Thanks to Geof for this submission.
2 Stijn Devolder on Rule #5, in defense of staying in Belgium when his teammates went off to train in sunny Spain: “It is not so cold that you freeze on to your bike. You go from a temperature of zero (Celsius) to minus one and you’re not dead; It hardens your character.”
3 It is possible for experts to mix these matching guidelines successfully without breaking The Rules.  This is a very risky undertaking and can yield unpredictable results.  Proceed carefully and, if in doubt, run your configuration by the Keepers for approval.
4 Famous quote by Greg LeMond, hardman and American Cycling legend. Greg Henderson quote courtesy of Neil. (Incidentally, it does not matter how fast you go, but you may never give up.)
5 Thanks to James for his sound input on modifying this submission from it’s original draft which read, “An exception to wearing a cap when not riding is: If you have a soigneur (you don’t) and he places the cap on your head after you’ve just won a mountain top finish or soloed into the velodrome (you haven’t).”
6 Thanks to Rob for this submission.
7 Thanks to Rob (different from Rob in 6) for this submission.
8 Thanks to Saul at Speedy Reedy for this submission.
9 Thanks to BarryRoubaix for the astute observation regarding Time Trial Bikes.
10Thanks to Souleur for the astute observation regarding the Principle of Silence.
11 Thanks to Charlie for this addition.
12 Thanks to Jarvis and Steampunk for their tidy ways.
13 Thanks to Cyclops for this sensibly aesthetic addition.
15 Thanks to SupermanSam via our friends at CyclingTipsBlog.
16 Thanks to Rusty Tool Shed and Reid Beloni for assistance in helping craft the language of this Rule.
17 Thanks to Karim for this most accurate contribution.
18 Thanks to SterlingMatt for this most accurate contribution.
21 There are variants of this story, including one which is more likely to be the actual way this story unfolded, which goes that Sean Kelly is met by his wife after a the ’84 Amstel Gold Race and they get in his Citroen AX: “Ah, Sean” says his beloved wife, “in your life the car comes first, then the bike, then me.” “You got the order wrong,” Kelly scowls, “the bike comes first.” Thanks to Oli Brooke-White for helping sort out the details of the story.
22 Thanks to David Ezzy for this excellent contribution and fantastic ride out to Kaupo and back.
23 Thanks to Donnie Bugno for this most accurate contribution.
24 Thanks to Robert Millar – yes the Robert Millar for filling this most glaring omission.
25 Thanks to @urbanwhitetrash for the submission.

12,462 Replies to “The Rules”

  1. Marcus :@Rob [W]hat’s worse than the guy at the back of the group yelling “car back” is when he gets to the front and feels the need to echo the previous “car back” calls. Who the fuck does this douche think he is warning?

    There are worse. At least that guy justoffends against the Principle of Silence and the Principle of Common Sense – unlike these:

    – The guy who persistently half-wheels whenever he’s at the front of an otherwise nicely-rotating two-by-two ride

    – The guy who persistently rides in between the two riders in front of him in said ride, forcing the person next to him to ride partially in the wind and further into the lane of traffic / gutter

    – The guy who, every time he gets to the front, slowly but surely steps the pace up until someone has to tell him to back off a bit (which is probably what he was looking for, as shortly thereafter he usually retires to the back and makes mocking HTFU comments about those who can’t handle the pace)

    Contemplating these (and related) outrages make it too hard to maintain the required Velominatesque poise, calm, control and dignity. I accordingly support the suggestion that the Rules not deal with group ride matters.

  2. Once again, we see how local and contingent cycling sensibilities can be, and how the attempt to cannonize rules of etiquette for cyclists in general must be done with great caution. The big ride where I’m from has had several riders hit and run over by cars as they move into the opposite lane to attack, gain position, or fall back from the front. None killed, but two are disabled for life. I myself almost attacked into an oncoming car. Tell that guy on your local ride who’s always yelling “car back”, or “car up”, wherever he’s at in the pack, to move out here and ply his trade. I want him in the pack. I don’t know what kind of rides y’all are doing, but on this one, there can be 80 riders on curvy roads where it’s not so simple to say, “Well, duh, look where you’re going.”

    Nevertheless, I’m happy you’re not considering rules for group rides, even if it’s for the wrong reasons, since one’s *aesthetic* sensibilities can be just too local.

  3. @david
    am terribly sorry to hear of anyone hurt in a cycling accident, but I query any “attack” on a “group ride”. Races are for attacking. Rides are for training. And crossing a line into potentially on-coming traffic at any time (or at the very least, without checking for yourself) is asking for trouble.

  4. @Marcus Maybe “group ride” doesn’t convey the matter. They are raced-paced training rides. They are races, albeit unofficial ones. So, of course riders are going to attack. And, they are invaluable training for official racing. So, what, then? We should stop informally racing on the open road? Or, we should greatly increase the risks of doing so by remaining silent? If Rule #65 would demand either in this situation so as to achieve *aesthetic* cycling, I say violate it, and hence also Rule #1, without a care.

  5. @david
    Mate I just wouldn’t take the chance of the possibility of an on-coming car in trying to “win” an unofficial race. Very difficult to obey Rule #1 from a hospital bed.

  6. Ok, some amendment of Rule #21 and/or #23 is in order, I feel. One of the greatest style faux-pas of our time is being committed with alarming regularity and it just can’t go on.

    For while a definition of the conditions under which they should be worn is glaringly obvious, there is no mention of the type of shoe covers (or “overshoes”, as we rather quaintly call them over here in the UK) that should be worn.

    I propose:
    Bad, shitty Belgian-type weather: Badass Belgian-type booties (black only, natch).
    Time trials: Lycra (hermetically sealed to the skin of the calf, somewhere just above the sock line, ideally).
    Inclement, slightly bit crappy but otherwise not-cold weather: Surely the goal is mitigating damage to the #1 pair of racing shoes… so lycra is also appropriate (bearing in mind some semblance of homage to Rules #8, #15 and #17)

    Under none of the above circumstances (nor indeed any circumstances) should overshoes be made of sock material. No. No. No. Not even stupidly over-priced Assos ones. They make you look like a douche. Full stop.

    If you can’t wear black winter booties, or lycra overshoes, then just ride those oh-so-pretty shoes bareback, and HTFU.

  7. @drfrot
    You are very wrong. Other than for time-trials where the lycra oversock is required, oversocks must only be made of socks. Otherwise you’re just a try-hard, I mean what are those oversocks that Cancellara and the Garmin boys wear? It looks like something straight from an S&M party. If we’re not careful everyone will be wearing gimp suits instead of lycra before too long.

  8. If I may add to that. If it ain’t Belgian cold w/a hard north wind outside, no shoe covers at all, no exceptions.

    Booties should never be spoken of and referred to as such by anyone of the male sex and over the age of 30. They are shoe covers/overshoes. Booties are what my wife puts on junior when his ‘feetsies’ get cool and he is whining.

    And in the wrong season and setting always wearing shoe covers is like wearing a trojan to work your 9-5 in. Its just not necessary.

    material aside, will let you fella’s hash that one.

  9. Rules 44 – 46:
    Since recently finding this beacon of truth and hope you call Velominati I have been forced to search my heart and my equipment and have found unrighteousness. Though I may have been called to be a mere doorman in the Kingdom of the Velominatus gods it is a high calling nonetheless.

    I can only hope that my sacrifice is a pleasing aroma – but I manned up today. Being weak and struggling with a burdensome yoke, I used to rarely ride in the drops but after being lifted on high and shedding 15 kilos since the New Sun, to put me at a svelte 76 kilos, I find myself in the drops quite a bit now. So today I remasculated myself and flipped my Deda stem over so that it has zero rise and rode 80 kilometers. However, I beseech thee to be gracious and merciful unto your humble servant as he tarries in the casting out of the 1.5cm of abomination below his stem.

  10. @drfrot, @Jarvis, @Souleur

    Shoe covers. Lycra for time trials. Neoprene in sub-freezing only. Sock overshoes only on rides involving cobblestones. Aside from those parameters, I think it comes down to whatever you prefer, but only in Rule #9 conditions. Cover your shoes in the rain if you must, and warm your feet in inclement weather if you feel it necessary, but know this: others will scrutinize your decision and you should be prepared to defend you decision. Preferably with Rule #72.

  11. @frank
    Always prepared to defend my decision to wear sock oversocks in most weathers. Mainly because it hides the fact that I invariably seem to need new shoes.

  12. brett :

    Ken :
    Addendum to Rule #30:
    Said Silca pump must be fitted with a Campagnolo head.

    Done…

    The only followers of that new rule, I’m sure, are quite expert on head, of any sort.

  13. no new Rule on this but I just shook my head at the race yesterday seeing a freaking compact crank and a SRM meter….ok, for most Velomanti that deserved a gaf like when Englands Green didn’t catch a soft roller. So you have given up on the whole 53/39 concept but you still want to know how little wattage you can make? Your a pussy man.

    HTFU…

    And dirty equipement, wow, I never seen so many dirty rides. Chains caked w/grime. Cassettes looked like the teeth of a meth-head. Sad, we need more Velomanti conversions out there!

  14. @Souleur
    Maybe it’s a Prius-esque fuel-efficiency thing. That is curious. And your response is spot on. Re. dirty equipment, I guess it’s a good thing that there are keepers of the cog…

  15. @Cyclops
    Nice work, clearly you are moving in the right direction. And yes, one’s stamina riding on the drops in directly correlated to one’s gut size and fitness level.

  16. @Cyclops

    I used to rarely ride in the drops but after being lifted on high and shedding 15 kilos since the New Sun, to put me at a svelte 76 kilos…I beseech thee to be gracious and merciful unto your humble servant as he tarries in the casting out of the 1.5cm of abomination below his stem.

    Anyone who looses 15 kilos in their pursuit of fitness is aces in our book. Well done, the abomination shall be overlooked as you continue your quest.

    Because getting healthy and fit is what it’s really all about. And fucking looking good doing it.

  17. Yes, sorry. I’ve been off the bike for three days. After two days off, I start losing it.

  18. @david
    try six months off the bike. Although last week the new physio told me I should try riding a turbo but only sitting upright. So progress.

  19. Heh. A true Velominati, you are Jarvis, assuming that the only reason I could be off a bike for three days is an injury serious enough that a sane person would actually want to stay off the bike for six months. I’m afraid it’s a only a family emergency. I will be in compliance again with Rule #11 today.

  20. @david @Guy
    Twins are likely to turn up this week, so may well be off the bike for 14 years now, back injury or not.

  21. @Guy
    Kudos, Guy. I know very well the pleasure you will be getting at being in shape – and being on your bike – once more. (I can’t top 14 years. My absence from cycling was little more than a decade. Then again, my weight loss maxed out at 19kgs (97kgs down to 78kgs). Have since put four or five back on – mostly in muscle (particularly when I have peaked in two months). Hills are certainly easier than they were…)

  22. @jarvis twins! Best wishes for that. Awesome.

    @David fair play with 19kgs. I’m down from 15st 8lbs to 13st 2lbs at the mo. I am loving riding again.

  23. @Jarvis
    Congratulations and best of luck. I’ve got three running around the house, ranging between 2 and 13. There will be times for rides, but also times when Rule #11 doesn’t apply. Enjoy!

    @Guy@Geof
    Jayzus! I wish I could claim that kind of weight loss without cutting off my arms (I need my legs to pedal)…

  24. @Jarvis @Steampunk

    Absolutley, congratulations Jarvis. Your first? If so, while Steampunk is unquestionably correct that sometimes Rule #11 will not apply, I hope you are able to avoid doing what I did – i.e. disapplying Rule #11 (and Rule #5) so much that you end up putting on 15 or 20kgs before your kids turn 10. (Then again, when I started breeding and blimping I did not have the Velominati to keep me on the straight and skinny. So in that regard you are fortunate. We got your back. And, er, your stomach.)

  25. @Geof
    True dat. I went so overboard on breaching Rule #11 that I put on 8kg for each of the first two for my wife. The benefit was she stayed fit and slim. I, however, got up over 102kg, which was not good for anybody. It took the best part of six or seven years for me to get back down to my fighting weight, and I avoided that route with our third. At the same time, there’s no better time for a gun check and an HTFU reminder than running up the stairs with a bottle at 3am. Just sayin’.

  26. My wife and I are debating the level of rule violations. I hold that the lower the rule number the worse the violation (i.e. a Rule #29 violation is more offensive than a Rule #40 violation). She believes all the violations appear equally offensive. Can anyone clarify this as much rides on the answer.

  27. @pakrat
    If you are a Cognosentus and your wife a Cognoscentrix, then all the Rules other than Rule #5 are the same to you and you can breach them all with impunity – but Rule #5 may never be violated ever, at all, under any circumstances.

    If, however, you and your wife are Rule Holists, then it is a much more difficult question to answer, and probably depends on the exact circumstances. To a Rule Holist, some breaches of a Rule are worse than other breaches of the same Rule – and how serious a Rule breach is can depend on the degree of conformity with other Rules.

    For example, taking the kids for a swim before jumping on your bike to do hill reps is, technically, a violation of Rule #42. But not nearly as serious a violation as consciously and intentionally doing a triathlon.

    But what if, after taking the kids for a swim and doing your hill reps, you then ran up the stairs when you got home in order to not be home late? Then not only was your breaching of Rule #42 more egregious (running after the ride as well as swimming beforehand), but you’d also have breached Rule #5 (because if you can run up the stairs after doing hill reps you have clearly not gone hard enough on the hills) and Rule #11 (because why else would you be anxious not to be home late?).

    And if we compared those multiple breaches to a breach of Rule #42 occasioned by doing, say, the Kona Ironman in under ten hours and being unable to stand for three hours afterwards, we might be tempted to conclude that, although Rule #42 has been seriously breached, Rule #5 has not been, so the overall level of offending might not be regarded as seriously as the kids swim / hill reps / stair run.

    Unless, of course, when you did Kona, you failed to wear socks, you wore a hydration pack on the bike, your helmet had a mirror, you used clip-on aero bars, you wore your cycling cap on the run and you managed a little skip for joy when you crossed the finish line. In those circumstances, it would be difficult to interpret your actions as displaying anything other than complete and utter contempt for the Rules.

    To a Rule Holist, the severity of an alleged breach can only be interpreted in the context of the Rules as a whole, and the degree of (non-) compliance with the Rules as a whole.

    Nevertheless, by way of some very general guidance, perhaps the following might be of assistance:

    * Some Rules are generally to be regarded as usually more important than others (Rule 5 and Rule #10 come to mind as generally of greater significance than, say, Rules #47, #48 and #50).

    * There is a rough, though not perfect, inverse correlation between the number of a Rule and the likely significance to be attached to a breach of it – i.e. a breach of a Rule with a lower number is generally likely, all other things being equal (which, though, they very rarely are) to be more serious than a breach of a Rule with a higher number – and Rule #5 is to be accorded specific importance in this context. (See examples cited above. But, equally, note for example that the same will not usually apply in respect of Rules #47 and #59.)

    * The greater the number of Rules breached the more seriously each breach is likely to be considered.

    * The more egregiously a Rule is breached the more seriously the breach is likely to be considered.

    * What is most important is the degree of conformity to the animating spirit – the vibe – of the Rules. A seemingly minor breach might reveal an underlying contempt for the whole ethos of the Rules, whereas a seemingly major miss may be entirely forgiveable. (For example, deployment of a Garmin may reveal nothing more than a hyper-active geek gene which can easily be accommodated amongst consenting adults provided other Rules are adhered to.)

    I trust these brief comments are of assistance.

  28. @pakrat
    There. You asked, Geof answered.
    Nice work Geof, that is something we could nail up on a door somewhere. Maybe Germany, or not.

    And a good example why I shouldn’t field questions like this…

  29. I propose adding an adjustment to Rule #18/19: No lycra shorts to be worn ever while riding a mountain bike, with some exceptions permissable for xc racing when the conditions make it a more sensible choice (ie, you’re racing in the world cup, or at least at a competitive level in anything else). These days, with plenty of great baggy short/liner options available, wearing lycra kit in strict accordance with The Rules should be confined to road riding.

    I wish my friend Karl Ratahi would wise up to this. I’m sure Brett feels the same way.

    I see so many punters on the trails wearing lycra kit with no apparent awareness of how awfully out of place it looks; no-one guilty of commiting this infraction gives the impression of having ever stopped for a moment to consider whether it’s really necessary. I’ve become quite sensitive to it. A rule needs to written somewhere, it might as well be here.

  30. Yep, the Karl Rule… not only are his lycra shorts, well, lycra, but they certainly take ‘short’ to a new level; that level being excruciatingly close to the groinal region.

    In his defence, I think our constant belittling of him and encouragement to cover that shit up is finally starting to be heeded. the last ride I did with him, he was sporting a pair of baggies, and my eyes were spared the visual violation they usually suffer.

    Rule #18/19 amendment imminent.

    So Josh, get yourself to Switzerland buddy! Hey everyone, Josh is close enough to go and see the queen stage of the TdS, should he go and see it?

  31. @josh
    @brett
    Sorry, but it seems that although the Velominati to a man and woman have huge respect for the travails and trials of mountain biking and the men and women practitioners of the sport (and I too have dabbled in it on my 1989 Bridgestone, built like a bridge weighs like as stone and have respect) but the Rules should not try to cover every branch of cycling or else we run the risk of getting into rules for RAM, RAGBRAI, Crit Mass and whether recumbents should face forward or backward with one mirror or three.

    Mountain bikes are mentioned in the Rules once or twice (Rule #34) but as a contraindication of what not to do on the road.

    But a shorts Rule is definitely needed – the one where the said shorts are so old and the lycra so thin you can see crack like it is in a strip show about to sit on you face if your taking a pull behind (no pun intended).

  32. @Jarvis Way to go, twins! Seriously, here’s to a happy and healthy outcome for all. I guess we won’t be hearing a lot from you so I for one just want to say I have enjoyed your input and will look forward to your return in 10-240 months, hopefully?

    @Geof Triple +1 on the summation for Pakrat and the wife. I would have to say though that the wife is always right in those sorts of arguments – come to think of it she is always right in any sort of argument…
    So although your logic is impeccable I’m not sure you have contributed to marital bliss. I know that to do so might have broken Rules #4 and #11 but in this case (Pakrat said “as much rides on the answer.”) he is calling out for help and I think this is a good example of where the rules can be breached. Please do not come back with Rule #5, #5 is always followed in my house but there is an overriding sort of One Rule that Rules them All Rule in the house and that is the wife is always right.

  33. @Geof
    Your thorough ability to articulate the finer points of The Rules continues to impress. Your symposium has caused me to add a few items to the Lexicon.

    Your description of the athlete skipping across the line in a cycling cap at the Kona Iron Man made me throw up in my mouth.

  34. @brett

    So Josh, get yourself to Switzerland buddy! Hey everyone, Josh is close enough to go and see the queen stage of the TdS, should he go and see it?

    Why do you ask questions that don’t need to be answered? OF COURSE HE SHOULD. Josh, we expect a full account. Also, rent a bike – or borrow one from Jan Ullrich – and ride the stage beforehand!

  35. @Rob, @david
    Good points on the mountain biking lycra. I agree it should not be it’s own Rule or even stated directly, but it is egregious enough that it should be mentioned here. I propose it be added as a side note, as in “Lycra shorts/bibs only on Road Bikes; baggies only on Mountain Bikes.”

  36. @Geof
    Thank you for the clarification. While I my wife and I differ somewhat on our interpretations of your eloquent response, we both see eye to eye on one thing: I was in serious breach of Rule #27 yesterday with some Lanceish (acceptable term?) sock height going on. That said, my attempt at Rule Holism may be tempered by her controlling vote in other areas of my happiness. One thing is for certain: we are having a blast discussing all things Velomainati. Thanks

  37. @frank: Absolutely. The Cognoscentrix being purists of purist not only wear the black leather lycra but Italian nurtured, grown, massaged and Italian hand-taylored black leather on and off the bike.

    I won’t mention the inherent conflict this pose’s of course.

    @Geof: thanks for the good expose’ of the Rules: Holism. I always appreciate your posit

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