Youth
I’ve never been afraid of imitating my heroes, they always seemed like the best examples available and as a student of life (as every child is) it seemed normal to me to copy every aspect of their lives that I had visibility into. I copied my dad’s handwriting as I was learning to write just as I copied Greg LeMond’s position on the bike as I was learning how to get serious about Cycling. None of my friends recognized my dad’s handwriting; they all thought my handwriting looked different from everyone else so they figured I had “cool” handwriting. All of my friends who rode bikes recognized Greg Lemond’s riding style; they all figured I was a copycat.
It was an early lesson; neither the complement nor the criticism meant terribly much to me; I was busy learning and that was good enough for me. I have to say, though, that as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more fond of my younger self, that version of me who didn’t feel the influence of what others believed so much. As we age, we “know” more and we “believe” less. Preserving the ability to believe is what keeps us young; for that reason alone, I refuse to grow up and insist on believing in everything I find beautiful, however irrational it might be.
Which brings me to Cycling; Cycling is the perfect way to stay in touch with the more delicate aspects of what we love in our lives. Riding in the first place is already enough; breathing the air and indulging in the tension of strength in our muscles and body as we ride brings an awareness that most people don’t have the opportunity to experience. As we develop in the sport, we start to test the limits of our bodies and equipment; testing is the way we experience growth and the development of our skill.
Every time we climb aboard a bicycle, we are testing our limits the same as we did as children; to be a Cyclist is to be young again. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
@Steve T
I’m assuming you’ve read Fever Pitch? Great book.
@wiscot
@wiscot
You’re right. Everyone recognises some part of themselves in that book. Classic.
@Cary
Bang on!
They obviously hadn’t read the rule on rear skewer nor one of the older articles on this site how to lean bicycles properly against each other.
Been skiing all week and crashed this morning so now recovering with this new article! Agree it’s great to have a new one.
Just figured it out. Anquetil is reading the paper as he has misplaced his sunnies and needs something to protect his eyes from the glare coming off Privat’s guns. It’s the Tour. It’s therefore July. Has Privat been wearing tights all season? At least I’ve an excuse for my legs being that shade of white: a) I’m from Scotland b) I live in Wisconsin, and c) it’s February. What Privat’s excuse?
@wiscot
I’ve had a couple of good shaves now to pre-empt the race season and because I was having a massage last week (the thought of going for a massage with hairy or stubbly legs now fills me with horror) – is it common to be upset by the pale-ness of one’s guns?
@RobSandy
I would say no. I wore knee warmers on my ride yesterday which exposed much of my calves. Even with super white socks on, my legs still looked awfully pale. Supposed to be 65 on Wednesday, Dare I wear shorts?
@wiscot
If you never uncover you’ll stay pale all year.
I will uncover as soon as I can and still stay pale all year. Because I live in Wales.
I am, however, highly versed in Rule #9 and #5 as a result.
While on the topic of black shoes…
My new dancing shoes…
@kixsand
Love those!
@RobSandy
Is there an inverse relationship to Rule #7?
@Rick
I think I meant to say “I should say SO.” I’m always embarrassed by the glare from my guns when I first wear shorts.
@w
You could alway go for a Trump Tan – the Orange would match the V colour (with apologies if that is too political – please do not respond with political comments!) but his face tan does seem to be Rule #7 compliant.
When I turned 40 years old, I realized that I had started doing two things regularly again in the year leading up to that birthday- reading books for pleasure and riding a bike. These were two of the main things I did for fun when I was twelve. I would read for hours or go on long rides around my neighborhood for no reason other than to ride. I met the Man with the Hammer for the first time (they called it “head exhaustion”). I walked my bike up hills until I could eventually ride them without dismounting. Just as it did for the Prophet, the bike made me feel free.
Cycling, in particular, was something I had not done in over twenty years. This connection with my younger self was like finding the mainline of happiness that I had lost for many years. When I ride the bike, I still find freedom in each pedal stroke.
@Rick
I think to comply with Rule #7 there has to be the potential for tan lines. It’s not a rule I’ve ever been that worried about, to be honest.
@RobSandy
After 13 minor surgeries to remove Basil Cells, I am constantly covered in 75 SPF sunscreen. As a result, I am in violation of Rule #7 to perpetuity. That is much better than being forced to take 4 weeks off of my bike to prevent scarring on my Pantani like pate.
@Ccos
It just kinda blew my mind. First of all, he was the one being the prick job. Secondly, why be a total asshole to a group of strangers, especially ones that could tear your head off? His buddy also told me to relax. Right. They’re the ones punting someone else’s ball into the woods but it’s crazy to ask them to go find it.
Thankfully I’ve reached a slightly enlightened place where I realize it’s just not worth it to get into a fight with a stranger, as much as I wanted to smash that dude.
@Ccos
My similar story was when one of the rugby boys I had coached was getting married.
He was having drinks at a pub with his work mates and his Dad was there as well. By now his Dad, who was always a little bloke, was getting on in years and a bit frail.
He’s at the bar when some of the local lads can’t be bothered waiting and basically shove the old bloke out of the way and take up the bar.
Well the son had followed in his father’s footsteps. Dad was a Vietnam SAS vet (Aust.), who had gone on to command the regiment. The son was now a senior SAS officer, and his work mates were all SAS.
Suffice to say the local lads learnt a bit about respecting your elders.
@kixsand
Only noticed now, but do you prefer blue cleats? I always use yellow to save my knees (skiing gives them already enough battering and bashing) but I’d be interested in experience whether blue or even red feels better.
@KogaLover
Ya – good question. I used yellow for a long time and then had a pair of blue ones lying about so I threw them on and honestly didn’t notice a lot of difference so I’ve stuck with them. I have observed that my pedal stroke is fairly linear up and down without a lot of wandering knee or ankle movement. I expect that I’d be fine with red cleats too as long as everything was locked in square.
I’ll just post this here as it’s the current thread. The weather for Le Samyn today is truly Belgian! Maybe we’re in for a classic classics season?
@wiscot
Strade Bianchi looks like being wet this weekend too. Unfortunately that covers Sunday too at the moment…….
Le Samyn was incredible! For that matter, that’s three great one-day races in a row. It’s a good time to be alive and love cycling!
Felt for #2 today. Guillame tricked that youngster as only a more senior race knows how. Big G probably would like to give a double middle finger to Lefevere, or did so tacitly.
@Ron
Super Hardman race! Just awesome. I watched the last 55 k’s on the rollers today.
Man, what a tough one. I just LOVE the Napoléon Race series!
I totally thought that Keirsbulck was the Man of the Match and did more than his fair share in the wind. Not sure how he tricked the younger rider? They were both fucking dead on that final climb and never had more than about 20 to 30 seconds on the main chasing group for the whole last 50 k’s. Brutal!
@Buck Rogers
That was a great race. Especially after what I thought was a disappointing omloop/kbk opening weekend. Way too predictable, but still in awe of Sagan’s ridiculous abilities/super powers. I think the guy who won le samyn just held is nerve while the younger guy panicked into leading out the finish. Roll on the spring classics!
@DVMR
Yes, such a great race.
But I did not think that there was any tricking going on or any panicking.
They both knew that the chasers were close and both were attacking the hell out of each other in the final 3 k’s.
I thought that they both did a great job and that the strongest guy on the day won in the end.
@Buck Rogers
Ahh, maybe I need to watch it again. Wouldn’t be a bad thing!
Wrong! : https://cyclingtips.com/2017/03/commentary-forget-velominatis-rules-youre-not-wrong/
@chuckp
I’ve talked to a lot of people who have a similar feeling about riding a bike. Even at the ripe age of 33 I ride my road bike like a kid on a bmx bike.
@ChrisO
Test rig. Trying to figure out where to put the battery for when electronic shifting came along…..
@VirenqueforeVer
What a boring article. I really don’t know why he bothered.
@Nick
i’m 47, and it’s the same for me. i will say that i much prefer centuries and Grand Fondos to racing, now.
@RobSandy
@Kyle
WHUT?!
@RobSandy
I’m fairly sure he meant that the ‘author’ of that article has violated Rule #43. Any news on a potential Welsh Cogal?!
@David Hill
Ah, I see. Well, I disagree with that to. He’s not being a jackass, funny or otherwise. He’s just being really boring.
I have thought about t vaguely but I’m not really able to plan things too far in advance at the moment. Unless we try to agree a date and I’ll come or not depending?
I’ve forgotten where negotiations got to previously
@RobSandy
I think you were hosting and paying for a mega splurge in Cardiff?
@Teocalli
Nice try.
You might get a home made flapjack and Sandy Mansion if you’re very nice to me.
I’m still up for it in principle and can do more or less any weekend not in school holidays.
I may, however, have to pull out at the last minute and while I’m fairly wonderful my non-attendance shouldn’t put too much of a dampener on the whole thing.
Also, sussed out another route yesterday that takes in the Devil’s Elbow.
@RobSandy
Not even a round of Welsh Cakes?!
@Teocalli
I’ve never known the Mrs to make Welsh cakes (remember we’re not even a little bit Welsh), but her flapjacks, millionaires shortbread and other cakes are awesome.
If I wasn’t a cyclist I’d be be a big fat bastard.
@RobSandy
We’ll have to add a loop through the covered market then.
@Teocalli
You could always chance it in a cafe up the Valleys. What’s the worse that could happen?