Categories: Keepers TourKitLa Vie Velominatus

Q1 2012 V-Kit Order

It hasn't always been this way, where we thoughtlessly disembogue 140 characters or less in messages sent into a medium where our crimes against language, spelling and grammar will live for ever.

There was a time when we wrote letters. These letters were carefully composed and penned onto thick, quality parchment paper and sealed in wax. These letters were then dispatched to the farthest reaches of the world where they would be carefully read and digested before a response was given. Technology and innovation are often taken as synonyms for progress, but with that progress usually comes the death of ritual and tradition.

As we close the books on the Q4 2011 V-Kit order, we open the books for the Q1 2012 order. Our insistence on the highest quality products made to our exacting standards translates into a long wait while the kit is manufactured. This presents a challenge when loving family and friends want to give the kit as a gift to a velominatus, because the timing of our delivery timetables rarely coincides with the intended occasion. To work around this problem in the past, we have arranged for a letter which is carefully crafted and personalized before being printed on thick parchment paper and sealed with a hand-dripped wax V-Seal for wrapping and giving on the day.

With the holiday season coinciding with our next kit order, we introduce the V-Gift Letter for wrapping and laying under the tree, announcing to the recipient the impending Glory of Merckx which will befall them upon the arrival of their kit several weeks later. We also offer a version of the letter for the Keepers Tour in the event that any loving family or friend intends to make a gift of the ultimate cycling trip to their Velminatus/a. The letter is free, with the cost going towards postage only.

With that, we officially open the 2012 Q1 V-Kit order. The only thing that remains is the choice: Zwarte, Witte, or Winter. However you choose, choose wisely and choose carefully as orders are custom made. Place your order by midnight on January 6 for the next V-Kit shipment, scheduled to arrive in late February.

[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/V-Gift Letter/”/]

A point of clarification: all packages from the Q4 2011 V-Kit order have been dispatched.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

Next Keepers' Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012 Update »

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View Comments

Dr C says:

Nov 29 2011 at 10:39 am

@frank
I think that V-wax-stamp could be your finest moment to date - sublime
Buck Rogers says:

Nov 29 2011 at 10:42 am

@RedRanger
Very NICE!!! That's quite the gradient that they are on there.
Dr C says:

Nov 29 2011 at 10:48 am

@Marko

@RedRangerAbsolute carnage. Good vid. I like the dude about halfway in drilling in with the panniers on his bike.

I reckon this was his morning commute, and was pretty perplexed to find a bunch of Lemmings joining him
I hope there was a prize for best dismount, the guy three from last who eploded in the middle gets my vote, and why did the last guy have a pig's snout - marvellous

Makes me think again, take my #1 bike to Roubaix ride.....Mmmmmm
actor1 says:

Nov 29 2011 at 11:10 am

@redranger
great video! i've always wanted to try that ride. but why, in the name of merckx, can they not figure out that if you're climbing up that cobbled hill (or any steep grade like that) & you come to a stop, JUST GRAB THE BRAKES & UNCLIP. after seeing riders roll backwards, derail their chain, fall into other riders, c'mon people. grab them levers. same w/ trying to walk up it, just use your brakes as you go up. i know it seems counterintuitive, but the whole rolling-backwards thing shoulda been conquered when you were 5.
seemunkee says:

Nov 29 2011 at 11:45 am

@RedRanger
Did that guy at the end have a pig snout on?
Tartan1749 says:

Nov 29 2011 at 12:12 pm

@RedRanger
Dirty Dozen occurs on the Sat after Thanksgiving, so here's the latest story and slideshow from the local paper from this past weekend. If anyone ever wants to try it, slap on your compact or MTB triple and you are welcome to stay with me.
mouse says:

Nov 29 2011 at 12:26 pm

@seemunkee

@RedRanger
Did that guy at the end have a pig snout on?

No, that's his real nose, and he's very sensitive about it.
Dr C says:

Nov 29 2011 at 12:42 pm

@actor1

@redrangergreat video! i've always wanted to try that ride. but why, in the name of merckx, can they not figure out that if you're climbing up that cobbled hill (or any steep grade like that) & you come to a stop, JUST GRAB THE BRAKES & UNCLIP. after seeing riders roll backwards, derail their chain, fall into other riders, c'mon people. grab them levers. same w/ trying to walk up it, just use your brakes as you go up. i know it seems counterintuitive, but the whole rolling-backwards thing shoulda been conquered when you were 5.

you're point is well made, though I have to say, I'm glad they didn't, as it would have halved the amusement factor if they had!!
Souleur says:

Nov 29 2011 at 4:26 pm

red ranger, great video

that is just carnage!
Blah says:

Nov 29 2011 at 4:29 pm

Posted this on the "Gear" page but getting no love as the action seems to be here at the moment:

Hey people with V kit. Is the sizing chart to be believed, or is it a cruel work of fiction like other Castelli size charts I've used?
Also, how are people with height and the bibs? I'm 183cm (6 foot even). Anyone else my height (87kg at the moment) got advice or V kit experience they want to share?

Any advice?