The proclamation is heard in the office, on social media, at the bar with friends; “It’s leg day.” When someone utters “it’s leg day” the accompanying tone of resentment and even dread is usually followed by an audible “ugh”. This exasperation belies one fact, the person making the utterance is not a cyclist. It’s likely they are a part of the Crossfit cult or on a fitness regimen to tone up and look good in a swimsuit. My immediate thought is, no shit it’s leg day, isn’t every day leg day?
As Cyclists, we cultivate our legs ritualistically. They provide the power that propels us deep into the pain cave, to freedom and to exaltation. Sure, we can talk about building the engine that is our heart and lungs. We do intervals, hill repeats, and sprints to increase aerobic capacity but the act of pushing on our pedals is what makes us move. It is our guns and our guns only that provide the visual evidence of our deposits into the V-Bank. The following is a simple list of acts the Velominati partake in that demonstrate that Every Day is Leg Day:
The Pros go to great lengths in not using their legs to power anything but their bicycles. Coppi used to have his soigneur carry him up flights of stairs to the hotel room. Hincapie would make sure his phone, remote, and other personal needs were at arms’ length on Recovery Days so he wouldn’t have to get off the couch. I wonder if he looked for apartments in Gerona with the toilet in the living room.
Of course most of us are endomorphs who look to be prepubescent boys with bald legs, baby smooth faces, and farmer’s tans. But our legs, our legs are bronzed and chiseled works of effort that would inspire Michelangelo and be worthy of any swimsuit edition (as long as it focuses on the waist down). So regardless of our buggy-whip arms and pencil-necks, let’s celebrate. The next time you hear someone bemoan their own personal leg day hell, remember that for you as well it is leg day. Take pride in the fact that you are a Velominatus and that for you, Every Day is Leg Day. Because on that day, regardless of the day of the week or where on your training calendar it lands, you have done something to honor your pins.
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@The Oracle
Soft commitment for me too; finally got on the roads yesterday for the first time since early Jan! About 90 min riding the mtb -- my training has gone off the rails so I need to get back on track so I can actually survive the darn event.
On the good news front, my Hampsten ti Gran Paridiso has shipped and Fedex keeps showing a Monday delivery! Will get it built up ASAP and out on the roads for shakedown and fine tuning of position etc. Could be a long but delightful evening as I would love to get it out Tues (forecast here about 35F) since Wed's high drops back to 24F. Sheesh, this is getting old.....
@teleguy57
I would like to find old man winter and kick him squarely in his balls, and then punch him in the throat!
@VeloSix
@VeloSix
All you Wisco riders need to come do the Heck of the North. Thus far, there are 10 Velominati signed up. Peeps coming from the PNW, New York, Scotland, Wisconsin. There is no reason for you not to show up. I've been back channeling Wiscot on this but all you dudes need to start making plans. This could very well end up being the V-gathering of the season in lieu of a KT. It's going to rule.
http://www.heckofthenorth.com/
@Marko That's a pretty effective sales pitch. Anyone have a 56cm cross bike you can lend me?
@The Oracle Im in the Wausau area now. get thee a bike and hitch a ride with me
PS. My truck can carry 3 bikes and 3 people. good way to save on fuel.
@The Oracle And i didn't even name names on the start list. It's a veritable who's who of the V.
@Marko dont forget massachusetts. and maryland.
@The Oracle shoot me an email.
@roger
No doubt. And then some dude from some obscure bike shop in Cochrane Alberta is going to be there too.
@Marko
As much as I would love to be there, it's about a month after the aforementioned Velominipper is to arrive. I am quite certain that if the subject were broached, the ability to create additional nippers could be seriously compromised.