Not surprisingly, this type of ritualization can be appreciated by the Velominati, and Cyclops (who happens to be a bit of a gourmand with a particular interest in Southeast Asian foods) has drawn the parallel here and classified the progression through La Vie Velominatus into different types of “noodling”. A unique approach to say the least, but not without merit. Also note that I skipped lunch and the Article Photo may be skewing my impression of the approach.
Yours in Cycling,
Frank
—
Noodling falls into three distinct categories. The most common noodling – Level 1 Noodling – is usually done unawares by the common cyclist but true art is achieved when one does something exceedingly well without thinking about it. It just naturally flows from the inner being. It is when he or she is out solo and is just turning the pedals with no pressure on them. They might be commuting to work in no hurry or going to the park and Sturmey-Archer 3-Speeds and Birkenstocks are usually involved. A quick Googling of cycling in Amsterdam confirms that the Dutch excel at this level of Noodling. Beautiful young women with Dutch accents, flowing skirts, and flowing hair gliding down cobbled lanes with windmills in the background can’t be considered anything but art.
Level 2 Noodling is an entirely different animal. This level is usually done by the serious/competitive cyclist and is usually performed in one of two ways. The first being the solo recovery Noodle. At first glance it seems as though this version of Level 2 Noodling wouldn’t qualify as art. I mean any meathead can plop some cash down for a discounted Discovery Channel jersey and plod along at 24 kph. But when we consider that the average competitive cyclist has an extremely hard time not going all out all the time we see that there is more than meets the eye going on here. What looks like a Lance Armstrong wannabe (Cadel Evans for those on the bottom of the planet) to the outside observer is actually a practice in refinement. The artist is honing his skills by relaxing the shoulders, all the muscles in the face go into Ullrich mode. There is a smoothing out of the pedal stroke. Little details that are ignored when one is in the red zone or pedaling squares come into focus and are given the care and nurture given to the grapes in a French vineyard.
The other version of Level 2 Noodling is the one I like best – because at this late stage of the game I doubt I’ll ever reach Level 3 Noodling. This version is also known as the early season training ride. While one might see the aforementioned meathead out on the roads of summer you’ll never see him under the overcast skies and single digit temps of late winter. While Meathead has been busily stuffing Cheese Whiz in his face at the neighborhood Super Bowl party we’ve been sitting on the trainer watching race videos and chomping at the bit waiting to get out on the road. I actually like riding in early season cold weather kit more than the mere bibs and short sleeve jerseys of the heat of summer. A serious artist has all the tools of the trade at his/her disposal. Neoprene booties, windproof bib tights, long sleeve jersey and matching wind vest, various base layers and different weights of gloves. These are the signs of someone that loves what they do. We may not get paid to do what we do but there is a certain level of professionalism to the matching kits, the immaculate bikes, and desire to be true to the art that Meathead will never understand. While going at this solo is commendable there is something truly sublime about a group of friends in a double paceline easily cruising in the stillness of (very) early spring. The only sounds being that of the casual chatting and well maintained drivetrains. No testosterone flowing. No attacks by the Cat 2. No urgency in the pedal strokes. This is Level 2 Noodling at its finest.
Level 3 Noodling. This level is reserved for professionals and those at the highest levels of racing. It is when someone such as George Hincapie or Philippe Gilbert is at the front driving the pace all the while oblivious to the damage he is doing to those behind. They are in an effortless zone that is free of suffering. A walk in the park. Yet those behind are struggling to hold their wheel. I would think that the satisfaction that comes from this level of Noodling could almost rival that of crossing the finish line in victory. As mentioned above – most of us will never reach this level but sometimes the gods smile and peel back the veil and we get glimpses of it. Like when the casual acquaintance that fancies himself fit dusts off the old 10 speed to join you on a “ride”. Or when you see a rider struggling up the climb a half kilometer up the road and you smile to yourself as you reel him in in the big ring.
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@Ron
Dude, that sucks. Here's the deal on those (and I'm considering chucking SRAM altogether), the pawls probably aren't engaging because they forgot to grease them at the factory. Buddy of mine is dealing with it currently. If you know how, you can do it yourself, but better to have the shop where you got it do it, 'cause if there's damage, SRAM will replace it. Shitty product, great customer service.
I broke off the right double tap lever this summer (just fell off in my hand while upshifting). They sent me a new one and so far it's OK. But won't buy that gruppo again.
@Ron
Yeah, my last two early morning rides over the Labor Day weekend were in the low 40F range so I've already started rocking the cold weather kit. I have plenty of LS jerseys and two wind vests but the Michelin wind vest is a stand alone that doesn't have any matching kit with it - and I've become a total matching kit snob - and while I have a LS jersey and matching bib for the other wind vest I don't like the kit too much because 1.) it is mostly white and 2.) it's made by Pactimo and I don't like the chamios much. So yesterday I ordered a Velominati LS jersey and wind vest. I'm going to be pretty styling this fall and next spring.
@Cyclops
did you ever get the Idaho Road Champ colour bands yet?
@Ron
Another thing: if you are running compact cranks on a compact carbon frame (with a BB30) the front derail cable (you'll notice if you look close), makes a weird angle turn from the cable guide under the BB and might be rubbing the frame. The friction makes it hard to shift. I remedied the issue by getting a small plastic sleeve and running it over the cable just through the cable guide and up a bit. I did it for the rear as well, and it really helped a lot.
scaler - Thanks for the feedback. I strongly dislike Sram, don't like how far the throw is to move the chain in. When I'm tired & struggling why do I want to have to push extra far?! Not sure why anyone likes this stuff. Hell, I like my 9-speed 105 over it!
It's an Al/carbon cx frame (Van Dessel Gin & Trombones) with 42/38 rings, Cannondale (FSA) carbon cranks with BB30. Angle from under the BB to FD doesn't look that weird.
Got the bike used from a friend, not purchased at a shop. Called my LBS, told him the issue, he didn't suggest cleaning/lubing pawls would help. But, I did ask him about a rebuild kit so maybe I steered the conversation.
So, you think I should just head to a shop and have them check it out? Suggest to them to clean/lube it?
@Ron
If you're not comfortable taking the free hub apart (lot's of little bits in there sometimes), then yes. It may not be the pawls, it might be the hub bearings (which are easier to deal with).
@Ron
Also, that plastic cable sleeve I mentioned before, really helped the shifting a lot. A couple of other guys I know that run SRAM did that too and were happy with the results. Cheap and easy.
@pakrat
Is that Big George in street clothes? Kinda looks like him - but better shaven.
@Dr C
Frank offered to do some up but I would have to order 10 of them. I don't need $700 worth of identical jerseys.
@Cyclops
I wore my LS V jersey in the pouring rain this morning. Good to be warm and styling while Rule 9-ing.
Yeah: what's that all about? I'm the same; just ordered Castelli AND Giordana skull caps so I can match different kits while I ride. WTF??
But here's my (almost related) question: Re. Rule 17. I get it; I'm onboard with it. But what about smaller teams without the bigger budgets of the elite squads? Does Rule 17 (which I still read as "don't do it, because even with the loophole it's kinda lame") allow for a certain cool factor to be caught wearing less well-funded team gear? As a way of sustaining them and helping to build their profile?