My buddy Chris wants to buy a road bike. His primary reason for this is to improve his fitness after splitting his patella in half on a rock while skiing a couple weeks ago. He believes that riding a bicycle, after his arduous healing process is complete, will be easy on his knees and provide him with a fun way to stay fit. To that I say, of course it will.
It started benignly enough the other day when I stopped by Chris’ house for a visit. Upon arrival he showed me an ad he had been contemplating on Craigslist. The ad was for a Specialized Transition Pro Tri-bike. Now, keep in mind that Chris has never owned a road bike so when he saw the Specialized being offered for a good price, in our area, he thought it was worth a closer look and some research. I have to admit the bike looked dandy and would certainly catch one’s eye. Especially someone who knew he wanted a nice bike but wasn’t sure yet what he wanted, let alone needed. Knowing of my passion for cycling (as the guy who gave me my V-cog tattoo) he asked what I thought about the bike in the ad. Immediately, the first thoughts that came to my mind were:
It was this final thought that gave me a serious feeling of responsibility. At a minimum, the responsibility of advising my friend on his first road bike so he ends up with something that works for him and is fun. But moreover, the responsibility of conveying La Vie Velominatus to someone who doesn’t yet know it exists. Whether or not Chris ever really embraces La Vie is not the issue. I hope he does. But my role in this is to introduce him to it so that he has the potential to at least glimpse what La Vie has to offer. Of course all he thought he was doing was getting my opinion on a bicycle.
One does not just go out, buy a bike, and declare oneself a Velominatus, or even a cyclist. It’s a process. None of us here just got on a bike one day and instantly had it all figured out. We can all take ownership for various Rule violations made over the years, money mis-spent on shitty pieces of equipment, flubs in etiquette in races and group rides, and missed opportunities to lay down some V. Some of what we know to be La Vie Velominatus has come from trial and error and reflection. And much of it has come to us through mentors or a cycling sensei, if you will.
Who among us did not have at least one mentor in her or his journey toward becoming a Velominatus? For Merckx-sake, we wouldn’t even have the Rules if Johnny Klink had not had Col for inspiration and thus commanded Brett to “blog that shit”. One of my own mentors is Frank who looked to his father and a wheel builder in The Netherlands for guidance. These are people who’s sphere of influence we are granted access to when we ask. Not necessarily the pros we look to for inspiration but the everyday Velominati who give us tips, insights, and advice on how and what cycling is, not how it ought to be.
So partially because Chris asked me and partially because I feel an obligation to my mentors, to our traditions, and to the Velominati (which means you) I find myself in the duty-bound position of being a cycling sensei. The simple act of being asked by a friend what I think of a bike places me in this position. I’m excited my friend has taken an interest in cycling and am chomping at the bit with the opportunity to help show him the way. I’m eager to shepherd Chris into the rich traditions and joy that cycling can provide but I’m hesitant to come on too strong. Hopefully Chris will discover what cycling is and ride the roads of the Velominatus. But like it did for you and I, this can only happen when he is ready.
Who were your cycling sensei and how have you approached the responsibility of ushering someone into La Vie Velominatus?
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
Marko, nice write up and you are a better man than I. Brave is the word. My sensei was always trying to tell me that it was too hard, too long, too difficult. For some odd reason his method worked?
I am thankful that I have never been put in the position that you are in especially, with a guy who is good with needles. I have no advice but maybe try the above method - it might just have merit...
Sorry, I could not resist. In all seriousness John Allis, original hardman, took me in hand at a time when it was just me. He was 35ish I was a virginal 22ish and keen. John's method was consistency. We met 6:30 most mornings and did the "Allis Loop" a 30-40 mile out and back from Belmont Mass. Always in a 42-17, always with John in front and me trying to pass him on any hill and never (at least until I started racing more than him at the time) being able to get my wheel an inch ahead of his - for 2 years. Along with the physical indoctrination came the stories of racing and thus a sort of how you do it from the questions I would ask. This was all before the net and the only reading was the old pre color Velo News which had no how to stuff.
I do not know if this helps, you might want to go slow with your mate and give info in little bits. If you can do solo rides with him and show him things as they come to him rather than swamp him with info.
What ever you do do not show him this site! He will start running even if his knee is in bits. Good luck - let us know how he does.
Oooh. I don't think I'm gonna publicly state who my senseis were. Their reputations would be ruined. They might see this and think, "Shit. I thought he was dead. He should be. And why'd he have to mention me? I'm not taking responsibility for the shit he claims he knows about cycling. Twatwaffle."
But, I'm still forever grateful. You know who you are. Merckx Bless You.
As for showing a newbie the ways of the Velominati, I lead by example. I ride with dignity, with grace, and in a straight line. I am clean. My kit is clean. My bike is clean.
If I see a novice, guilty of breaching at least 60 Rules simultaneously, I ride with him, handlebar to handlebar, and engage him in small talk. Once familiarity is established, and he no longer has to squint from the glare of my magnificance, I gently explain that the pad thingy sewn to his shorts goes on the inside. And it's pronounced "shamm-eee." And I'm sure the gas station up ahead has a bathroom where he can excuse himself to turn his shorts right side out. And he can, if he chooses, take a moment to scrub away the chain grease from his calf, his hands, his cheek, and his forehead. And that it's okay, I will watch his bike for him.
I could go on. But there's really no need. You, too, have made similar journeys.
awesome post! as a bike shop guy, i walk that tightrope every day. balancing my enthusiasm for the details and history of the sport can be quite overwhelming to the newbie drooling over $800 entry level bikes, so i feel i have a responsibility to reel in my own excitement to try and match that of my customers, which can range from uninterested to uber-psyched. it is only after a certain degree of patronage or riding together that i ever consider exposing people to this awesome website. in some ways, i feel like i should be protecting it from the people who won't appreciate its tone and and what being a Velominatus truly means! bella in sella...
Great post!
I just realised that in the past 3 motnhs I have help 4 friends pick out their first bikes, I even spent hours online researching and comparing different models for one guy so he would get the perfect ride!
I think I may have over stepped a little on the enthusiasm but anyone who knows me understands you mention a bike or a mountain and you will spend the next hour talking about cycling! These guys seemed happy enough to listen and a couple have joined me on a few rides before christmas - Chalk up 2 for the converted.
I never realised just how important the people i first spoke to when I started riding were, the guys at the LBS, the bloke up the road that kept riding past morning after morning, the bloke at work with the pinarello that just looked like "a really nice ride" to me. All these guys can claim to be my sensei and I hope to be able to share that same passion and inspiration with other people!
A mate of mine has decided to give bike riding a try. A mutual friend has lent him a bike for an indefinite period - a Colnago C-50, Record equipped with Campy Hyperons. Now I wish I had a sensei like that when I started bike riding.
Shame for this new cyclist when he buys his first bike and finds out not all bikes are that nice!
I have acted as a a quasi-sensei to a number of mates and it can be a dangerous position. There is nothing as galling as handing out tips and advice to a cycling neophyte only to have him thank you for the advice a few months later (esp the lesson on the definition of half-wheeling) by dropping you like a bad habit in the hills. Oh the shame of it.
Story of my (recent) life...
I was just contemplating my history as a cyclist today. I think there's some advice you realize you are given, and there's some advice you've attained. There's other advice you've differed in opinion on and have taken a different line. You give sparingly and marginally to retainable, reasonable amounts, and embrace honestly with enthusiasm to answer thoughtful questions to beginning or less-experienced riders. Candidly and clearly.
And pay attention to older, wiser riders however you meet them on your various cycling related ventures. A cyclist many more years in, from a different era, will have many wise and unpredictable notions to add to your knowledge and experience to the passion.
It is never unwise to prompty advise newbs on basic equipment use, ettiquette, and bike cleanliness. Teach those whom are eager, and learn from those whom have arrived at their place in the world of cycling.
Great post Marko, as a newb myself I am slowly beginning to appreciate how much learning there is to be done. I seem to be gaining lots of experience relating to punctures e.g-1. buy a floor pump to avoid pinch flats 2. stock tires wear quickly and are shite (on my bike at least) 3. carry spare tubes and repair flats at home.. Can be so frustrating... But when you have the rides when everything is great the passion is stoked.
This site has been like my sensei in a way, teaching me about all that makes this sport so special and the rules that should, or must, be followed.
Just as a matter of interest, what are the how to sites that you guys can recommend?
@Colin
Very well expressed, Colin.
@William
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/
This is a site that does as it says on the box: Cycling Tips. Archive s are pretty good, but Wade's site has morphed a bit lately into more of a newsy sort of page. Which is fine; his blog and all.