The Dig
“Are you havin’ a dig at me?” It’s a good old phrase that one. I hear it occasionally, usually in response to some jest, part of the banter that me and my friends enjoy on a regular basis. It can be used as an off-the-cuff remark, clearly meant in a jocular way, or can carry with it a more sinister edge, a way to make a point that just needs to be made, but wrapped in enough humour to soften that edge but still prick the skin ever-so-slightly and deliver the message. “You sure you’re not havin’ a dig at me?”
The Dig is a beautiful thing when it’s employed in Cycling. Every ride will contain a dig. No matter if you’re out on a supposed cruisy lap, or a long and hard slog, there will always be a dig waiting to be unleashed, or perhaps unfurled. The way it is delivered can be predetermined, even conspired with another, or it can be completely desultory and spontaneous, taking everyone by surprise, even the schlepper making the despatch. It can be timid, or tumultuous. It can be the most subtle of moves, gracefully administered from the saddle with nary a hint of movement or sound to indicate that it is even happening, or it can be more apparent, yet never a violent, aggressive action; that would be an attack.
The Dig is meant to test rather than defeat. It’s a way of saying “there’s more to come, suckers” or to find out what others may have in reserve. Or it’s just a way to niggle, to tease and tempt, to draw a comparison between you and your comrades, who could at any time transform into adversaries, either by your or their doing. It can be one of your most valuable weapons when deployed correctly, or, like holding the grenade and throwing away the pin, a dangerously inept move should you not treat it with care and respect.
All you need to do is pick the right time. Tactics, a trump card for the smartest if not strongest rider, come into their own here; looking for the right opportunity to throw in a Dig is as important a skill as the Dig itself. Most will expect that if the gradient goes up even a small amount, that someone will be willing to Dig. Most though will, all too predictably, want to attack. You can nullify the attack through vocalisation, using the mouth rather than the legs. “We should just take it easy today” is an age-old and proven nullifier. “I’m not getting involved in that” as the first accelerations come. When you’re sure that your comrades have taken the bait, don’t make it blindingly obvious that you are going to up the pace… just a slight increase in tempo will do the trick, and even if only one or two are sent scrabbling for the last wheel, then the Dig has been successful. That small amount of energy used to get back on is a withdrawl from the V-bank, yet leaving just enough to instill a belief that there’s sufficient to cover any more bills that may need to be paid later. It’s a false sense of security that will be the downfall of the economy when further Digs are deployed. And like shareholders in Lehmann Brothers, they won’t see it coming until it’s too late and the coffers are empty.
After a rolling series of Digs, then it’s allowable, and advisable, to pick the last bits of rotting flesh from the carcasses, and hammer the final nail into the collective coffin. If you’ve dug properly, you will have much more Essence of V left than your now tiring and mentally confused adversaries. You can attack. But if you’ve not been absolutely discerning with your digging, then all you will appear to be is an asshole who couldn’t cash the cheques you were so willing to write at will earlier, and you’ll be left desperately scrabbling on the ground for the fives and dimes scattered at your feet.
*One of the best examples of The Dig employed by Bjarne Riis at Hautacam in Le Tour 1996. The way he torments his rivals, goes back to check them out three or four times, then delivers the killer blow is classic Digging.
Awesome reading here, well done!
Some years ago I was out with a buddy, let’s call him Pete, on a very hot day (for the UK). We caught up a large tractor towing a humongous trailer. Pete suggested we pass it but I said No, it’ll turn off soon anyway and we can get a nice tow for a while. Anyway on a long straight downhill Pete decides to pass it. This was obviously a challenge to the tractor driver who increased speed to flat out. Of course Pete could not now let the tractor pass him. So the race was on. Me – I was tucked in behind the trailer getting a nice tow and barely pedalling but every now and again getting a glimpse of Pete trying to maintain warp speed 6 inches in front of a demonic tractor. This went on for some miles and Pete was showing clear signs of distress. Eventually, after an unexpectedly long while the tractor turned off into a farm. Pete was a wreck, sweat streaming off him, gasping for air. Me – just a breeze hardly pedalling at all in the vacuum behind the trailer. Cruising up alongside Pete I merely said “You don’t expect a tractor to go so far before pulling off do you?”. Pete nearly fell off. Dig delivered.
Excellent piece. The dig can also calm the masses. Last year on the last lap of a very fast race on Marblehead I over heard this wise sentiment spoken from mid-pack, just when things were getting scetchy: “none of you knuckleheads is going to win the sprint from here, so calm the fuck down.”
Damned if it didn’t work. Perspective saved some carbon and skin that day.
Does performance enhanced digging count?
@brett I bet you do a good Dr Evil laugh too.
Ha ha ha ha …… one of the best written articles yet :)
“…now tiring and mentally confused…”
Last night’s ride makes so much more sense now.
@Teocalli
Dig delivered? Boy is it ever!
I was out training with some mates last summer, repeats on a 5k, 8% climb. I was getting my ass handed to me on the climbs (and I’m no slouch when the grade goes up). But on the descents, I was going all out in order to make it back to the bottom first, so that I may assume the Casually Deliberate waiting position, poised calmly on my top tube…. the goal to catch my breathe, and be breathing easy by the time they got there, leaving them wondering how long I was there in wait.
@VeloSix Nice!
Will have to remember to ask for no. 21 whenever the opportunity arises to road race in the mountains. Great digging Brett on finding that video.
I love the name of that video: “EPO Hautacam” very funny.
@Richard
in reference to the video? Yes, Riss was on the magic potion. But look at who he was digging- they were hardly on bread and water either.
Cool article.
Being too fat to climb, my digs are usually delivered as a breathless shout to those in front. Usually something ending in ‘unt’.
The subliminal dig – breathing calmy through your nose with your mouth closed after an effort. Even though your lungs are bursting and your mate is almost hyper-ventilating. :D
It starts on the hill just past the turkey farm. Push the pace a bit to put the kibosh on the lollygagging in the group. Crest the hill and keep the pace up, most of the group can’t resist a wheel to chase down. When I pull off the front at the church after that fast stretch, the group passes, uttering four letter words. “Nice.”
Nothing like the silence produced by a subtle dig. All gone quiet back there boys?
@Richard
If you’ve paid attention to the last 30 years of Cycling, then yes. Heart goes out to the clean riders who were beat by cheats, but those races fueled my childhood!
Of course, like the mother with lung cancer telling her child not to smoke, I remind everyone that doping is wrong and that these days we expect more. But in Bjarne’s days, FUCK YEAH! Thems were good times!
In all seriousness, I encourage you not to taint the past with what we know now; the 90’s were an integral part of who I have become today. Those races were false, but the experience I had was not. It helped make me the Velominatus I am today, and for that I am grateful.
That said, I sincerely hope we are getting the sport cleaned up and that we are moving towards a fairer competitive field. It will take time, and I will continue to love the sport – warts and all. We are possibly cleaner now, but like taking a garden hose to a pig pen, it will take more than just water to clean this shit up.
@Steve G
Get really good at going downhill. Then attack at the bottom of the climb. Get a lead, and only just lose the last wheel as you crest the climb. Then fucking smoke them on the way down. It has worked for before, it can work for you.
And I honestly can’t understand why you’d holler “HUNT” at anyone dropping you. Or did I get your meaning wrong?
Such a great piece, Bretto – The opposite of this is the Anti-V pet-peeve of mine which is talking everyone out of riding hard because you don’t feel good until you’ve ridden long enough to feel good. At which point you naturally attack!
But friendly digs with mates – that is what its all about. Not racing, not training, just fucking with your friends. It worked when we were 3, it will work when we’re 60.
Wow. Riis must have spun up his 56% that morning: “Not normal!”
Great article Brett. I’m always happy to be involved in a bit of digging. Sometimes I’ve even got the shovel. When I ride in the fast bunch I’m usually expecting to be dropped at some point so one time is as good as any other. I often say to myself “you didn’t come here for a picnic”. As you say, even If I can bridge back up, the withdrawal of V has been made. And The Man With The Hammer is approaching. I’m also a big fan of “The Squeeze” which is like The Dig but more of a steady acceleration, preferrably up a false flat. But what then is a Nudge?
@frank
Very well said @Frank, I don’t think it could be said better!
@VeloSix
i know it’s really hard for us all to admit that we’ve been fooled over the years. But to excuse it just because it suits us, because we enjoyed it at the time, makes us part of the problem. Our views are subjective because you love the sport, and it’s hard to admit our hero’s were cheats. But isn’t it time to stop this excuse making? Cheating is cheating whenever it happened. Thus whole ‘level playing field’ argument does not stand up. Let’s accept the sports dirty past and stop hailing these cheats as gods. Wipe the slate clean. Riis was a cheat. Merckx a cheat. There, I’ve said it. You all knew it anyway.
YEah, here we go…… lets all as mature adults judge the previous actions of young hot shot socially immature competitive athletes. I will just go ahead and admit it right now. I know how stupid and how arrogant I was when I was young. If people gave me cool free stuff, sponsors…. and told me there’s more where that came from if you win using this free stuff. I would also have taken the PEDs.
As an adult however, mature and responsible, making my own way through life. Hell, I hate taking medicine for a headache.
Oh hey, we have a cancer survivor winning the TdF 7 times over! Lets cash in on this cow and make a shit ton of money. Oh hey, that cancer surviving TdF winner cheated… Lets all write books about it, and cash in on this cow…. Maybe we should sue him because he made us so filthy damn rich!! How about you go fuck yourself, and quit with the narrative. Anybody who thinks a 20 something live-in-the-spot-light hot shot, could pull this massive heist of the hardest sporting event in the world, all by himself as some drug lord ringleader, is lost on the media machine. Its two selfish Americans. One was king, the other one wanted to be and couldn’t, so he ratted out the first….. and the America money machine has to keep cashing in.
To dig with panache you must be on the tops & casual dilebret in motion. Just before you subtly raise the pace it is always the done thing to ask the person at your side a question, preferably about themselves or their bike. These questions always get answered…… keep nodding or smiling & the person will keep talking :) This will firstly disguise the dig, secondly disrupt the persons breathing while they are talking & thirdly while they are gasping to answer you are serenely smiling & nodding away. …… The art of the dig :)
@VeloSix
There are no excuses. We DO need to pass judgement. Cheating isn’t age, status, or nation specific. It’s black and white. If we we discussing a sport you didn’t love, you would agree.
Lots of people seem to be commenting about verbal digs. Go read the post again – the best digs are performance art, not spoken.
We have a fast group ride that has a stretch with a few roundabouts in a row. This of course is perfect dig territory – you can subtly push hard on the exits, carry your speed and after the third sit up, turn around and act surprised when there is no one on your wheel. (Now I’d insert a reference to that article about sitting up, stopping pedaling, one hand on your thigh and turning around to look for everyone after a sprint – except I can’t find it).
Love the dig. Especially the subtle dig. If done proper, and smooth, you can make it last for awhile. I gave what I felt like was a good dig at the Seattle Cogal which may or may not have inspired Frank to write “Into the Tunnel“. Either way it was fun.
Digs are little mini tests that the digger or the diggee can pass/fail at any point. These are the little moments that help pass the time on the long miles.
@slatanic
Raise the pace with someone at your side ?
That sounds like half-wheeling, which is strictly infra dig.
@ChrisO
finally got called out for half-wheeling, not knowing what it was nor doing by particular intention. was simply trying to keep up with the “fast people.” and then we went in the hills. long, long hills. and then I had no one to half wheel… Not that I woulda been spared that experience if I hadnt been half wheeling the flat. Which made it more fun to do on the return. Intentionally. Oh wait, it was me being half wheeled on the return. Never mind…
@Holdsworth
I didn’t make an excuse. I simply pointed out some buffoonery and hypocrisy. I am not arrogant enough to pass judgement for something I acknowledge a young immature version of myself to likely attempt. If you want to pass judgement, then go ahead. But don’t demand it of me, or attempt to assume my position based on the sport. You will be wrong.
I think if I could effectively explain the art of the dig to non-cyclists they would all suddenly understand how a multi-hour ride is not the least bit boring.
Maybe it’s out of fashion, but I like Riis. Seems to me as though he kicked everybody’s @ss on what was more or less a corrupt but even playing field. That Hautacam climb was dominant. It’s not as if Virenque wasn’t benefiting from additional performance inducers….
@Fins
Perhaps some non-cyclists could explain to me how multi-hour ball games aren’t boring.
@The Grande Fondue
Since when has the post demanded much reflection in the ensuing conversation?
@Steve-o
Exception for the real football, where most of the players are engaged in competitive movement most of the time, and timeouts are infrequent.
@gaswepass
Maybe there’s some cross-cultural confusion around half-wheeling.
As far as I know, half wheeling is a two-up or double paceline issue where one rider can’t resist the urge to put their wheel half in front, instead of hubs level. If you are trying to level it up and the other rider is pushing the pace then they are the half-wheeler, not you. If you have some kind of inferiority complex which prevents you from doing an even piece of work at the front, then its you.
@Steve-o
You need an explanation of Test Cricket? Some years ago we were discussing the state of a Test Match at day 4.5 (of 5 for the unknowing) in front of a couple of US colleagues. One guy asked who was winning. The answer “It’s hard to tell, the game could go either way. It’s pretty tense”. The response – “What?! The’ve been playing for over 4 days and you STILL don’t know who is winning?!”. Somehow telling them that that was the essence of a good Test did not help.
@Harminator
Hmm. I always took it to be someone from behind you, not really willing to come next to you, with their front tire next to your back tire. Like a bug flying in your ear, you want to swat at but can’t.
A couple of weeks ago, while working up a climb a guy did this to me, all the way up the climb. All this space we had, and he was right next to my back wheel. A little dip, and he tucked in behind me, then just over my shoulder again as the grade went back up. I was waiting for the guy to jump me at the top, and he never did.
But that presence, constant, just over my shoulder for the entire climb time really pissed me off. Always thinking my rear derailleur was going to be eaten by his spokes. Part of me wanted to drop the guy, but another part of me didn’t want it to disrupt my ride for the day. I kept telling myself, “Casually Deliberate….. Casually Deliberate…..”
But your description also makes sense.
@Harminator @VeloSix You are both right.
The heavy hitters on my ride dig all the time, it happens on a fast incline, half way up they’ll accelerate while still seated. When I see Captain on the front and his head starts gently bobbing, I know I’m about to get fucked up.
I think of having a dig as ‘turning the screws’ on the torture the back of the pack experience.
As for verbal digs, at least on this level I carry good power to weight, not in being a cunt (you lot may think differently), but in keeping the humour going, even when I’m suffering like a dog..
@Beers
That’s priceless!
@frank
a big +1 to you Frank.
Without those years I’d still be bimbling about on a cross country mtb muttering about how boring it must be on a road bike.
Only time I get a chance for a physical dig is in roller territory where the guy on the front hits the bottom of a rise & drops a gear or two, my favourite tactic is to take advantage of the momentum I’m carrying & roll past on the tops pushing a bigger gear all the way to the top. This is best completed with the hand on thigh look back @The Grande Fondue was referring when you crest the rise.
Now on to the video.
1. The muppet introducing the video is Mike Tomolaris for the benefit of the non Aussies here who, despite having been hosting SBS’ tour coverage for over 20 years, still knows less about cycling than my 10 month old child.
2. Interesting to note that one of Lance & Stuey’s most vociferous supporters Pat Jonker hanging with that select bunch for a fair while. If he was managing that clean (as he’s always ardently claimed), I struggle to see why he’s so keen to support the aforementioned duo…
@Mikael Liddy
Yes! That’s what I was talking about.
Has he been particularly ardent? I had the impression his was more of the “I never saw nothing” type of denial.
And yeah, 12th at the ’96 tour was quite an accomplishment. As was 1st at the ’98 Dutch Championship.
@The Grande Fondue it definitely was based on the ‘saw nothing so didn’t happen’ school of thought, but it was more that he would then follow that up with comments along the lines of “given the health issues he’d been through, I can’t believe he’d do something so risky…” Basically he was in flat out denial right up until the Doprah interview.
He’s also been one of the cheerleaders of the “Don’t condemn Stuey for making one mistake” squad, so essentially he seems to think everyone should just trust whatever comes out of the rider’s mouths no matter how many times they’ve lied previously.
@VeloSix
His description is right – yours is something different.
Half-wheeling is when you’re two abreast riding in a group at a steady pace and the person next to you just keeps upping it a little and putting their wheel slightly ahead of yours.
You either pick it up a little, which increases the overall speed and creates a surge in the group, or you ignore it but then it might look like you can’t take the heat.
Read Tyler Hamilton’s description of Lance Armstrong doing it and him doing it back.
My response to being half-wheeled – and this is where power and computers are handy – is when I know I’m doing a decent power and the person next to me is probably not capable of maintaining their little extra effort. I keep it at the same rate, let them get a wheel ahead, even more and then watch them start breathing heavily, rocking around and gradually coming back and then falling behind my wheel. But I’m not then half-wheeling them because they have dropped off the pace.
@ChrisO
you’re both right- there is half wheeling when u just keep pushing ever so slightly. part of learning to be a pack dog. there is also imperiling oneself by overlapping your front wheel with rear wheel of a rider in front of you. that is a hard lesson about to come about. I only knew of the latter until I got yelled at and then punished in the hills.
@gaswepass
Your latter is just referred to as overlapping wheels. And is usually alright if you watch and trust the line in front of you — and the rider in front can trust the line behind as well. Otherwise it’s not good and one of the riders will either concede or surge ahead.
@unversio
Yes, half wheeling is what @ChrisO describes, the other is, apart from being dangerous, called overlapping wheels.
Not to nitpick, but knowing the correct term for both of these is important as after the guy who was overlapping you crashed and tries to blame you for deviating and causing his crash, you can point out that he was overlapping, cause them great shame and expose them to ridicule. Which of course is forbidden per Rule #43 but still, you want to call out the right infraction to avoid confusion.
@ChrisO
I don’t think I’ve ever had this bother me too bad, although I’ve been conscious about not doing this move myself. When I do catch on to this move (that I never knew to be a dig), I also take your approach, and just let the other guy have that little bit of “lead” by not matching the line, but still holding the speed. Sometimes I take the bait, and match them, but usually just those staring at their power meter.