Guest Article: Tattoo You
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.
Wow! I have long wanted to add a bike related tattoo to my small collection. This one takes the cake, and the next cake. serious inspiration and commitment.
A serious commitment! Tats are not for me not even something as awesome and iconic as the V cog. I’ve never seen the need and I like being in the minority not being ‘inked’
Wow, the detail!
Hey…is that a compact I see in the background?
Very nice, like the originality.
That looks absolutely hideous. Is clearly a blatant violation of Rules #57 and #80 and probably warrants a new rule or amendment to Rule #33. Guns shall not be defaced?
I don’t have a cycling tattoo with Velominati in it, but I *do* have a cycling tattoo.
I hate being a dick (but it comes naturally), but is that a mechanical DICK to the right of the vertical chain at roughly the same height as the V-Cog?
I love tattoos, anchors, hula girls, pretty much anything that involved Sake and your buddys’ coercion. But art? Naw, art is on canvas, not skin. Art is Le Corbusier (if you prefer the harder stuff). Art is Bob Mould. Art is Chet Baker.
Jeebus, back in the day a little shoulder tattoo would get you kicked off any semi-respectable continental equipe.
We are aesthetes damn it!
(sorry, nothing personal, just a drunken rant–isn’t there a rule allowing, nay encouraging that?)
@Ron
Funny boy!
@Jamie
There is some west coast cyclist with big pistons tattooed on each lower leg. If anything they should be up on the quads, and they shouldn’t be on the legs at all.
Do we need a Rule for this? God I hope not. The only tats we need on the guns are the scrapes and scars of old crashes and a nice shave down.
I don’t know what to think about how ink, and the life we pursue fit together. I know the majority of young people I see everyday have tats, but when I watch the Stars and Water Carriers, I can’t seem to find a single tattoo in the peloton. I guess ink is just not for me. Cheers!
I’m all for more ink, I’ve got a work on my right shoulder, needs updating as is starting to show its age like myself.
But, that’s also coin I could spend on the #1 and look for a graveller as #2. So bikes it will have to be until funds are forthcoming. Maybe 2029.
I call a rules violation. When taking a photo with your steed, the chain shall be in the BIG RING. Get some more V and do it all over again or be forever shamed.
Hey, you rude pricks – if you can’t say something nice how about not saying anything at all? Fucking hell, where are the manners these days?
Nice one, Del. I wouldn’t do that but I totally respect your right to do it and, for what it’s worth, it’s done really well.
@Oli
I think it’s the fact the tattoo is on one of his guns. Kinda like a dude getting a Ferrari then painting one of those hippy van murals from the 70’s on it. It causes some shock amongst the Ferrari set and outbursts occur. If it was on his arm (or VW van) all’s good.
Having the V Cog on it is like having The Prophet in full flight on his mural. I like it @Del (but I a’int getting one).
Why do I see that and think, Ouch, That musta hurt! ?? On the shin! Yowza. Cool artwork.
@Oli
This
That’s some serious artwork! Personally, I prefer more “subtle” tattoos (I have a Zuni bear on my left ankle), but tattoos are a very personal choice (and statement) and if that’s what you wanted then good on ya! Don’t know if its intended, but when I look at it I get a steampunk-ish kind of vibe. You need to post a pic of it with you riding in full kit.
Thanks for the comments, where ever or what ever I/you do there will always be haters. Unfortunately they leave a stale taste to cycling. If somethings not to your taste that’s fine but unless you have a valid reason don’t be a hater. I’d like to think all those withing the V are more civilised and welcoming, than those who think there better than ever one else. Thanks to all who like my ink and for those who don’t that’s fine also.
@Del
[ Father Guido Sarducci voice ]
“There are some, likamyself, that think… eh, ah, the Mona Lisa, she’s a boring. But hey! So what, she’s cool.”
Del, rock it like a BOSS pal and don’t look back.
99% of the people I know with tats (most of my pals and friends) don’t just walk into a Tattoo place and throw down some cash and tell the artist “go ahead, do what you want” ; these pieces of art have a significance to the person wearing them, something that person can look at and be reminded of or draw some strength from that most know nothing about.
Wiggins has a full on sleeve tat and I’m sure it has not held him back or slowed him up in any way, shape or form.
@Dean C
Cheers fella, I’m all for a bit of colour. Theres a few pros out there with some ink, it’s a choice and I love it.
@Oli
That’s the internet, well more importantly, annonymous forums for you – it often brings the worst out in people. For some reason so many people will type stuff they wouldn’t say to someone in person. Personally I just don’t get it. Respect, across all areas of life, not just the internet seems to have gone out the window.
@Ccos
It wouldn’t look nearly as good if it was on his ear.
“For those not down with the kids”
yes, the kids will love this.
*rolls eyes
@Oli
Yeah, that’s an opinion you’re entitled to.
same as mine, and when dude rocks up telling me I am not down with the kids, he should probably expect a little attitude thrown back.
Tattoos, ffs. While I am sure people with em think this is cool, I however thought this was a cycling site. its not a smartly laid out nine bike. It’s not about looking Pro. It’s not about laying down the V. It’s totally irrelevant to riding your bike and opens a rather silly door into all inclusiveness that’s never been the way round here. If people do them for themselves, why do they have them so visible, and then bang on about them. Sending them to a cycling website, again, ffs.
Personally, i am surprised you don’t address this in the rules. You can’t have an EPMS but a self inflicted life scar, dude that’s so cool.
Starting to look like a bunch of adolescents around here.
@Oli
Yes, but one there (or on the neck) just say “don’t hire me.”
A buddy of mine has a pedal wrench (amongst other items) tattooed on his left calf. It’s pretty cool. Maybe he should encorporate a V cog.
@Ccos
“Don’t hire me”? What’s that got to do with anything – are you considering him for a job?
@Velonail
Stupid me for thinking Velominati isn’t some kind of loose affiliation or fellowship even. If you don’t want to read about tattoos you don’t have to, and keeping your negativity and judgemental attitude to yourself would be even easier. Plenty of people enjoy wearing tattoos – yes, even cyclists – and talking about cycling related tattoos seems totally appropriate on a cycling website.
Glad you think I’m entitled to my opinion, because my opinion is that you need to pull your head in.
[ Father Guido Sarducci voice ] “What the hell ??”
@Oli
You wrote “It wouldn’t look nearly as good if it was on his ear” to which I agreed and retorted that one there or on the neck says “Don’t hire me.” It could be of mother Theresa but HR at a Bank, Hospital, Police, insurance company, law firm, etc. usually take a dim view of such things.
Really glad I’m pass the age where the need to follow the herd has passed.
I won’t ride with anyone showing tattoos.
Won’t ride with tattoos? Wouldn’t hire with tattoos?
Wow.
Ladies please! Like the man said, if you like his tat that’s cool, equally so if you don’t. This site has always felt like a community to me, I would personally like to keep it that way.
@tedder
It’s unbelievable!
@Dean C
This, well said @Dean C.
Mine, long outdated in terms of today’s epic artworks, is of a Yin Yang on my right shoulder.
I suffer from Anxiety and depression and have so since the age of 5.
As you’ve said, its a constant reminder to me of the balance that’s needed to get through life. Good, bad, dark, light etc, etc , etc.
Well said !
@Ccos
My dig came from you saying having it on his leg was like painting a Ferrari with a “hippy mural”. I can’t work out if you to think the tattoo is acceptable or not!
@Oli
I dig it. I was giving voice to the “rude pricks” to which you were lecturing (explaining my perception for some of the negative reaction).
On a side note, I think Chavanel’s leg tat looks horrid.
99% get a tattoo early in life ,I would bet 99% regret ever having one or more later in life. Bottom Line .
@Uncle V
Incorrect
@Uncle V
I don’t question you’re sentiment, however I am questioning the math.
@Uncle V
Bzzzt, wrong.
The only people who don’t like tattoos are the people that don’t like them. Same goes for polo shirts, walk shorts, moustaches and lift heels. But I’m not going to waste my time telling people who don’t share my taste in those things that I don’t approve, because everyone is different and I’m not so damned arrogant as to believe my taste is superior to anyone else’s.
I can imagine this same conversation as carbon fiber was taking over. Or masseusses after a stage. Or the first video coverage of your favorite tour.
@Uncle V
Completely agree and here we have the (Specialized!?) crux of the issue. People with tats can’t remove them like an EPMS or buy a new lid to stop their head looking like a piece of fruit. They are stuck with it…..and thats what everyone said to them when they first extolled the virtues of tats. So they have painted themselves into a corner and thats why the defensive stance when someone says they’re shit. If anyone here is surprised that personal opinion has but put forward I question how long they’ve been visiting the site. The problem again is that they can make most of the changes to fit it (herd followers?) but those permanent choices can’t be hidden, removed or forgotten.
By by all means have tats…it’s personal choice. But if you get criticised be the tough guy you project and take it in the chin. Don’t bitch like a little girl.
Something to sidetrack this conversation and bring it back to a more filosophical level (we all deserved that):
Non-conformist cycling behaviour in the Netherlands Cyclists behaving badly – understanding cyclist disobedience in Amsterdam
and Why the Dutch ride bikes
@Teocalli
Agreed.
@Velonail
Look pal, I’ve been around here (on and off) for a long time and I totally get that we give each other shit about various things. But how people look and how they choose to adorn themselves is their business – how would you feel if someone made personal remarks about how you looked? Your squinty eyes? Your balding head? Your shapeless calves?
Give a guy shit about his crank placement in a photo or his EPMS or his too-short socks, but I think your comments about a dude proudly showing off his tattoo are well fucking out of order and, more, totally fucking unnecessary.
Anyway, I think I’ve (repeatedly) made my point, and arguing with jerks just makes me look even worse than I am, so I’ll shut up now. Perhaps you could follow suit.
@davidlhill
+1
It amazes me how people without tattoos can speculate (pontificate?) on how people with tattoos feel about having them or the reasons behind getting them!
I got my first two over a decade ago on my 18th birthday. Since then I’ve added quite a few more. The collection would be larger still if I hadn’t started riding. Virtually all of my discretionary income, which isn’t much, goes to the bike. I’m smart enough to keep them below my collar bone and above my wrists, but all but one is visible on a ride (and in hot conditions I might unzip my jersey on a climb, and well, there it is).
At our season-end club party this year, I found out that they’ve actually been a helpful identifier. You can’t always ID a bike in a paceline, and riding with everyone in the same kit isn’t terribly helpful, but when it came to meeting people, I’m “the guy with all the tattoos”.
Why would you refuse to ride with someone who’s been tattooed? Does it offend your delicate sensibilities or do you just feel threatened by some hooligan who clearly has lost his moral compass and might stab you? Doesn’t matter to me because I’d fucking bury you anyway on the first climb.
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…
I barely caught this last comment, suggesting that I [ or we ] have postponed real cycling to stay online and fuss virtually about a tattoo. I plan to go cycling shortly after my daily task of looking at this website.