Guest Article: Tattoo You

Commitment.

Things just land on our desk in the V-Bunker. This is one of them. Not really knowing what to do with it, it seemed best to share it with our fellow Velominati. @del loves his cycling and @del gets “misty”. Though I don’t know what that means I hope I never get that misty. I’d have to get highly misty to end up with my first tattoo, beside the greasy chainring tattoo I rarely put on my right calf.

VLVV, Gianni

After a great ride out I conform to the Rules to the best of my ability, however on this one occasion I appear to have misinterpreted these Rules slightly. What should of been Rule #93 seems to have joined forces with Rule #47 resulting in me not conforming to Rule #52. As you can imagine things started to get a little misty, I have always wanted some more ink (tattoo for those not down with the kids) and I have always struggled with what to have done. I didn’t want the normal stuff you see, I wanted it to be bike related.

It was during the misty moment that I had my flash of inspiration. The Rules book caught my eye. That cool orange glow got me. I wanted the V and the cog on my leg. However I wanted to take it one rotation further, so the following day I knew I had to follow Rule #81. I went to my fellow cyclist who also happens to be a tattoo artist and set him this challenge. I explained that my legs were my machines for cycling and that I wanted the V and the orange cog incorporated into the design.

After six hours of me repeating Rule #5 to myself in my head I was done, All I need to say is Rule #72.

del

I love to get out and ride, I dont know why so many cyclists don't have fun or smile. I love a challenge and I'm doing one as often as possible, 1000 miles in May.

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View Comments

AJ says:

Nov 2 2015 at 2:24 pm

@RedRanger

Being a furry tattooed man myself I fully understand the shaving and tattoo relationship. But, I would like to share some sagely advice from a dime piece that worked at the Hooters in San Diego Gas Lamp district to a young Marine getting a sleeve done... "You can't shave just one arm or even half. That's just fucking weird"
gilly says:

Nov 2 2015 at 3:00 pm

@ChrisO

This thread is a good illustration of why I’ve stayed away for a while and continue to do so.

Too many personal comments, too little respect and I don’t see the site owners doing anything about it.

Haven't been lured away as yet Chris but I'm equally surprised by the silence. Threads like this weren't here a couple of years back.
Barracuda says:

Nov 2 2015 at 3:03 pm

@gilly fear not, @brett has saved the day with an insightful, factual and excellently researched article.
kixsand says:

Nov 2 2015 at 3:27 pm

Properly shave for this one...
Oli says:

Nov 2 2015 at 3:58 pm

If that was me I'd cover it up with my hat.

(Sorry for the negativity everyone. Again.)
frank says:

Nov 2 2015 at 4:26 pm

@Del

Cycling has always been an enjoyable sport and social event for me which inspired me to not only get a tattoo but to also set up my own website for cyclists. Unfortunately though there are those out there who consider themselves to be better than everyone else and is happy to criticise about all other cyclists who don’t conform to their standards. Its these cyclists who wont ride with someone because of a piercing or body markings. Some people use tattoos to cover scars they would like to forget.

Rather than discriminate against what you don’t like try to chill out a bit and be happy theres more cyclists out there, ok they may not be old school but thats simply it accept the variety and share the knowledge rather than judge because they have some body markings.

Like I said I don’t care if you like it or not but one day you’ll realise your group is slowly getting smaller because nobody wants to ride with a moaner.

Lets move on and enjoy cycling and the things related to it.

Del,

I'd like to apologize on behalf of the community and The Keepers here for those who were downright rude and impolite. Normally I'd be monitoring the conversations much more closely but have been occupied with a new dog adoption we've been carrying out over the weekend and didn't catch what was going on.

I have to admit, I feel a bit disappointed by the folks here who have been rude to you, I'd have thought the pups here could stay off the leash for three days without me having to moderate the conversation.

Please accept my apologies on everyone's behalf.

@all

Settle the fuck down and show some respect for a fellow Cyclist's choice. If you don't like tattoos, don't fucking get one. If you don't like this particular tattoo, at least have the sense to be funny about how you tease @Del about it. Rule #43 violation demerits.
The Pressure says:

Nov 2 2015 at 4:31 pm

Let's talk about motorcycles again!!
frank says:

Nov 2 2015 at 4:34 pm

@Velodeluded

Hi all,

I don’t often chip in here, usually happy to lurk in the background but feel I need to throw in…

None of this really matters, get out and ride your bikes instead of venting (either way) on this forum… it’s what we all need…

Thank you for delurking, and for your perspective.

And call this a forum again, and I'll have your 53T! This is a community, even when we don't act like it.
frank says:

Nov 2 2015 at 4:39 pm

Meanwhile in Seattle, a rescue Dobie named Sly is starting to settle into a new life.
SamV says:

Nov 2 2015 at 4:47 pm

@davidlhill

Cheers, Mr. Hill. It'd be a pleasure. I've yet to do any intercontinental riding, but I may be in the UK in January. I was there the same time last year and thought frequently of how I'd get in a ride should the opportunity present itself.