“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.
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@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...