Categories: Defining MomentsExportLa Vie Velominatus

Youth

René Privat wears yellow as Master Jacques reads a newspaper and tries not to notice.

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.

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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wiscot says:

Feb 16 2017 at 2:18 pm

@Steve T

As an Arsenal-mad lad, my favourite player was Liam Brady. I had the yellow away kit circa 1979, and whenever I played it had to be all left-footed like him, even though I was naturally right-footed. He just looked cooler than anyone else, and I still think lefties look more stylish than right-footed players. If I was a kid today, I’d have to be Mesut Ozil. Style is everything.

Great picture, by the way.

I'm assuming you've read Fever Pitch? Great book.
Steve T says:

Feb 16 2017 at 3:08 pm

@wiscot

@wiscot

@Steve T

As an Arsenal-mad lad, my favourite player was Liam Brady. I had the yellow away kit circa 1979, and whenever I played it had to be all left-footed like him, even though I was naturally right-footed. He just looked cooler than anyone else, and I still think lefties look more stylish than right-footed players. If I was a kid today, I’d have to be Mesut Ozil. Style is everything.

Great picture, by the way.

I’m assuming you’ve read Fever Pitch? Great book.

You're right. Everyone recognises some part of themselves in that book. Classic.
Le Baz says:

Feb 17 2017 at 3:12 am

@Cary

Bang on!
KogaLover says:

Feb 17 2017 at 8:21 am

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.
wiscot says:

Feb 19 2017 at 3:57 pm

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?
RobSandy says:

Feb 20 2017 at 2:37 am

@wiscot

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?

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?
wiscot says:

Feb 20 2017 at 6:01 am

@RobSandy

@wiscot

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?

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?

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?
RobSandy says:

Feb 20 2017 at 6:17 am

@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?

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?

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.
kixsand says:

Feb 20 2017 at 7:32 am

While on the topic of black shoes...

My new dancing shoes...
Rick says:

Feb 20 2017 at 8:53 am

@kixsand

Love those!