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?
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View Comments
@William
I should say, though, there are few sites (any? this one, of course) that compare with more experienced riding partners as a source of info. No site is going to critique your climbing style or whatnot.
Great post & one most of us can relate to I hope.
I have helped both family & friends over the years in choosing a bike/set up along with training & racing. While I don't even think of myself as a sensei, I do like to give whatever advice I can, where & when appropriate, i.e. not going over the top & through using my own experiences.
I learned what I know from other riders that I have met on the road so to speak, reading, experience, my fellow Velominatus & whoever/wherever I can. Even bad riders may give you some knowledge, even if it's what not to do!
@colin, nicely expressed as well by the way
Diamonds are created through equal parts time, heat and pressure. That being said, a gem cannot be manufactured, it takes the right combination of natural elements and forces. Does he want to ride or does he just want that pretty bike to hang in his garage?
Remember Mr Miagi pointing to his head & heart and saying "Karate here." Teach patience Sensei and start him out on rule #6.
@Colin
++1
@Rob
Chris and some other friends and I did a small local charity ride this past fall. He had the sense to at least put slicks on his mountain bike. None of the other guys were really road cyclists either so I organized them into a pace line. I had the sense to ride my cross bike so I didn't stick out like a sore thumb with #1 and look like the douche who shows up to the knife fight with an Abrams. At any rate, I got them all to see the fun and efficiency in group riding and would push up the pace every now and then just get them thinking. I think this too got Chris thinking. That and he's got a really cool VMH who wants him to get a bike so she can get one.
@Greg
As a former ski and paddlesports store employee I can totally relate to that.
@Oli Brooke-White
Recent? I figured you've been a sensei for years.
@foghorn leghorn
Nice. And good to see you again.
@all
So riddle me this. After having the requisite discussion on the pros and cons of different frame materials, gruppos, sizes, etc, I'm poking around online to see what's potentially out there for Chris. I happen across a Serotta Colorado AL in his size that's virtually identical to Il Gruppo Progetto. Different paint scheme but same ultegra 6500 gruppo and it has Mavic Open Pro 32h 3x rims. Looks to be in excellent shape. IMO it'd be a great bike for him to get started on. Would it be weird though if we were rolling around on pretty much identical bikes?
@Marko
Depends... Are you then going to give him a sweet deal on some V-Bibs and a V-Jersey? 'Cos that'd really be where weird starts.
@Marko
They sound like they are ripe for conversion and you are pivotal, perhaps, as you already know, it will be done subtly keying off what they already are headed toward and just giving little pokes of info that eases the beginner lows and ups the highs.
@Marko
And No Blah covered the major issue on this one!
Without wanting him in any way to be held responsible for the rule-breaking fred I turned out to be, Oli's a big part of the reason I'm into the sport. From helping me piece together a bike, to not getting fucked off with my constant mispronunciation of Bianchi, he's put up with a lot of over-enthusiastic conversation. Chur.
Awesome. Glad you are helping a friend, but also glad you are going to show him the (proper) ropes. Friends don't let friends get a tri-bike!
I have been lucky enough to get a bunch of friends into cycling, maybe not become road cyclists, but at least riding road bikes around to commute, for exercise, etc.
Mistakes along the way - the first race I toed the line for...I did so in a pair of blue adidas sambas with Giant toe clips grabbed off my first mountain bike, purchased with lawn mowing money when I was fourteen.
My sensei? I never really had one. I picked up bits and pieces of advice here and there from other riders, did a ton of article reading, picked through good stuff on forums. And heck, I brought a good sense of dedication, style, and appreciation for the small things from other sports I played growing up. Just like Frank and learning to wear a ski cap properly while growing up on the mountain, I brought some of my knowledge of inherent Rules from other sports.
I need to find a sensei though. At the moment my most frequent riding buddies don't quite live La Vie Velominatus. They like to ride hard, but don't care much for flash bikes or sharp kit. It's almost like the missed out on that part of cycling.
Good luck, Marko. I'm sure you'll make a fine sensei!