La Vie Velominatus, Part IV: The Great Escape
One of the most magnificent things about Cycling is that not only does it represent different things to different people, it represents different things on different days. Some days, it’s training – a means to an end. Other days, it’s the culmination of a body of work; rather than a means to an end, it represents that end itself, whether that end is exhilarating or devastating. But these two facets represent Cycling only as Sport, the complex simplicity of the balance between dedication and results.
Cycling stands apart, however, in its many dimensions beyond Sport. For me, Cycling is meditation, a time to clear my mind of ancillary concerns and contemplate on those that require my focus. It is thoughtlessness, a time to eliminate everything through the simplicity of pain. It is simultaneously medication and therapy; even a short ride can shake a heavy lethargy from my bones and rejuvenate aching muscles and joints. It is simultaneously tension and release; Cycling can fill my being with effort, an effort that overflows my legs and lungs and spills over to fill every fiber of my being, flushing from me all those things I wish not to keep.
Cycling is penance for my mistakes; a few hours at the mercy of the Man with the Hammer can help me understand the error of my ways. It is cleansing of other’s mistakes – here the Man with the Hammer helps pound out the ripples in the surface of Life they cause me.
I am by no means a great man and never will be. But I am a better man for my bike, and for that I am eternally grateful to it.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
@frank
Yup, my old doctor used to refer to me as “the guy with the great numbers.” HR, BP, pulse, cholesterol, all really great and attributed to getting the pedals round as often as possible.
@frank
Nein, Mt. Bachelor in central Oregon. I’ve never ridden up to Mt. Hood, I think riding on the side of HWY 26 would be a rather dicey adventure.
The highway up to Mt. Bachelor from either Bend or Sunriver is a little slice of heaven, though. Hardly any traffic, nice shoulder, and a grade that gives you a workout and makes you feel like you’ve done something difficult without killing you. Did that ride a few weeks back.
When I lived in Sicily the best part of riding a bike was getting to explore new parts of the province I was in. Like this image every time I rode to Palermo.
Here in Tucson its a lot of this:
Beautiful words Frank.
@RedRanger
Tucson looks like the 70s?
And thank you for the wallpapers!
@RedRanger
Sicily is great but from that photo Tucson is not that bad.
@Pedale.Forchetta
@mcsqueak
I used the hipstamatic app. to take that picture of Tucson. this is an ok image I took on one ride. I am on a major road heading north into higher dessert.
And Carini(the town I lived at in Sicily)
@frank. those wall papers rock! you are hooking it up with those. first for the iPhone(kinda my idea ;)) and now this. Awesome!
Today was a great day. Frank’s beautiful words over breakfast, then a quick one-hour spin and espresso at my coffee shop before joining a couple of colleagues for a 75k loop that included some great climbing. While waiting for riding companions at the coffee shop, I opened Michael Barry’s Le Métier (the coffee shop has a great bookshelf) and reread his final chapter, Autumn. Near the beginning of the chapter, he has this:
Which I thought dovetailed nicely with Frank’s words above. The ride itself was good. And as I willed myself up and over a couple of nasty, steep pitches, I found myself thinking very much the same thoughts…
@Dr C
Doc, that sounds unbelievably awesome! Maybe I’ll see you on one of the climbs somewhere. I will probably only be able toget one real, all day ride in while I am in France. we’re going to visit friends and we’ll have all the kids with us. But I need to remember your trip as it seems like a great deal!!! SOOOO ENVIOUS!!!
Another great place to go uphill:
While not my photos, it was fantastic!
@RedRanger
The sadist in me loves the expanse of rumble strip.
@minion
every time I cross that stuff I am utterly surprised how rough it is. Now that I live in the south side of town I get to explore even rougher roads.
I’m just going to throw this out there, but what do y’all think it would take to have a Velominati ‘gathering’? How cool would it be to spend a long weekend cycling, and hanging out in person? I’m thinking a nice centrally located place like Seattle or Portland. Ha! I realize that’s it’s not really practical for everyone from all over the 3rd rock from the sun to all meet at the same time somewhere, but regional folk could do it. And hell, I might even come down to a nice summer December if it worked right.
@scaler911
I’m officially inviting everyone to Solvang, CA this Sunday to celebrate the Worlds and do 100km. Who’s in?
@scaler911
Give at least a month’s notice and I’ll be there.
@mcsqueak
I both hear you and am with you on all counts. And love the pic.
@RedRanger
Is it me or does Tucson look better “in the ’70s”?
@frank
Great words and thanks for the wall papers which are now adorning my two screens at work and I’m just waiting for someone to ask me “why?”
@Dr C
This could cost me a fortune! I’ never going to get approval to wall paper the house (although I might not actually get turned down as Mrs. Chris won’t believe that I’ll ever do it!) but it would be great to do the garage. Problem is that like most garages the walls are unpainted block – I’d have to get the whole thing plaster boarded properly first. I’d also have to refurb the shed so that I could use it to store all the crap that currently takes up wall space in the garage. It’ll certainly put a dent in the shiny bike bits fund!
@all
It’s great to see that there are people who haven’t surrendered themselves to the mind numbing oblivion of reality television, fast food and outlet shopping!
@Frank – AMerckx to this article. It drives my wife mad that I can’t put into words what I get out of riding, and why the tougher the ride, the more exhausted I am, the colder or wetter the ride, the bigger the smile I have across my face “What do you guys talk about when you are out?” “You don’t talk? Why do you need to ride with them then?” “Explain again why you love pedalling?”… the closest I’ve ever got (at least she shut up about it for a bit) was that my life changed when I discovered cycling, and riding is a simple pleasure – even when it hurts – that is hard to put into words… I’ll just show her this article
@DrC – GPM10, huh? what steed do you ride? I’m envious of that trip
@Frank – loving the wallpapers… here’s what I have on my work desktop (obviously, my mac at home one has a photo of the kids)… the backside of Ventoux. I love the texture of the wooden railings, the slightly surreal lighting… I had just averaged 174bpm for the 1 hour 48 minutes 39 seconds it had taken me to climb this beast, and I was feeling light headed, buzzing, and slightly sick (hunger pangs)… and love the fact that the weirdness of those feelings came through in the photo. It also is a permanent reminder that when we got to the top, we were in a cloud, and we couldn’t see shit: exactly the same as when I climbed the Tourmalet and the Galibier… I seem doomed to never get a view (hence, I love your wallpapers)
@Dr C
I had not heard of GMP10. Thanks, I’ve just bookmarked them. The trip you outline here, is it a bespoke tour that you have designed? I don’t see their 2012 schedule posted.
@roadslave
This, too, is an excellent image and most certainly captures a bit of the weirdness you were feeling at the moment you captured it. Seems we have some photographers posing as cyclists amongst us; or maybe it’s the other way around?
I wonder what other avocations of an advanced nature we have here in our community…
@drsoul
they run scheduled rides all over Europe, so basically the rides they did in 2011 will be repeated in 2012 – depending on how well booked they are – we are doing a 10-12 rider trip – if we only get 7, as it looks like we have in our group, they open it up to individual bookers to make up the spaces
apparently they are a very professional set up – they’ll need to be when the 7 of us numpties turn up! (also will need at least 7 seats in the broom wagon I fear)
@roadslave
spesh roubaix compact 2011 – hoping to get a roubaix pro U12 imported, but that is looking unlikely
Ventoux will be on the 2013 menu….
@Dr C
Good deal. I’ll keep an eye on it. The summer is a busy time for me professionally, but taking a couple of weeks out for an extraordinary experience such as this seems more than worth the time off. Thanks again. I’ll review their site further.
@Frank Wicked article and as always leaves me with a hell of a lot more questions than answers, but then that is what I like about the articles on here they are always creating thought, ideas and starting discussions rather than raming an answer down your throat.
@All I often think of cycling as a personal time as after all even when I am cycling with groups of other riders I am always competing with myself. Its a daily battle with my inner self, driving myself to go out after I get home from work. Forcing myself to take the harder route rather than the easier route. Not allowing myself to give in to the myriad of opportunities to take the path of least resistance. I also find that this extends far outside my love of cycling and into the rest of my life also. In the relationship with my VMH, the way I carry out my job and the time and effort I put into the VeloBambino’s.
There is always and easier route in life in everything we do, but the satisfaction that comes from knowing you tried that little bit harder and didn’t take that route is something that can be barely noticed by the world around you but is always noticed by yourself.
I love cycling, I love my life and I love the route less travelled the cobbled V-way not the well worn highway.
Nice piece, Frank, and the discussion that follows.
I concur with many of the comments, and would like to add some thoughts – sorry, this is a long post.
I have been riding bikes for a long time, beyond riding around the neighbourhood with my buddies, for more than 25 years with varying degrees of seriousness. I am looking forward to reaching the 10,000 hour mark that it is said that it takes to learn to do something well. Recently I am riding with more seriousness and focus. But I do not ride to escape the rest of my life, or to help me sort it out or to think about and solve problems from work. I ride to ride. This focus on the moment itself, on the physicality of it, on the effort, on the weather, on the right line for the next corner, on deciding whether or not to add the extra 20km loop, on remembering to eat, on the right gear for the next pitch of the climb, etc. is what give me pleasure and helps me in the rest of my life. To be a better father, husband or colleague. It has been shown that focusing your conscious intensely on things that are away from your daily problems actually allows your subconscious to solve those problems. Then when you bring them back to the conscious you find that the solution is evident. Cycling does this for me. This focus is nowhere more evident than when riding the rollers, as I am forced to when the days shorten. I ride on the terrace in the pre-dawn darkness while my family sleeps. If I am thinking about work, I fall off.
In recent years I have to some extent focused my riding on big rides (Quebrantahuesos, Maratona dles Dolomites, La Marmotte, all great events in beautiful places). This gives great motivation (why else would you ride the rollers?), but at the same time the focus on one event takes away from the overall enjoyment. You are in an incredible place for riding, but have to save your legs for tomorrow, get up ridiculously early, wait at the start, worry about getting run down by some turd who has never done a real descent in his life,…. So, this year I am focusing on something else, yet to be clearly defined. Either something like the Atlantic-Mediterranean route that Dr C mentioned or checking off as many of the climbs on this list as possible (List of highest paved roads in Europe – http://bit.ly/qeptfn), or looking for the highest dirt road passes I can find. The idea is to focus on the ride, not on the event.
Along these lines, I often refer to these words from Jean Bobet’s, Tomorrow we ride.
“People ask me whether I actually enjoy cycling. This question surprises me, since the answer is so obvious. Yes, cycling is enjoyable, and one can even give enjoyment to others, at times, but all in all it’s a rather banal question.
The divine surprise comes when you discover that beyond enjoyment lies the thrill of la volupté. The voluptuous pleasure you get from cycling is something else. It does exist, because I have experienced it. Its magic lies in its unexpectedness, its value in its rarity. It is more than a sensation because one’s emotions are involved as well as one’s actions. At the risk of raising eyebrows, I would maintain that the delight of cycling is not to be found in the arena of competition. In racing the threat of failure or the excitement of success generates euphoria at best, which seems vulgar in comparison with la volupté.
The voluptuous pleasure that cycling can give you is delicate, intimate and ephemeral. It arrives, it takes hold of you, sweeps you up and then leaves you again. It is for you alone. It is a combination of speed and ease, force and grace. It is pure happiness.”
Damn, my cycling has been up & down lately, busy with other stuff & took on a short soccer coaching stint to help a team without a coach.
I typically ride 6-7 days a week. I feel as if I haven’t done a proper ride in weeks. Turns out it has only been a few days. Either way, like a lot of you, if my world doesn’t revolve around my rides, I feel out of balance.
@Fredrik… +1 doesn’t really do you justice, but +1 Awesome post.
I also woke up thinking I had a bad dream last night. Turns out the bullshit intrigue of fuckos far & wide has predictably culminated in a really horrible Hollywood offering.
I regret to inform you about this. God, save us.
Premier Rush, starring some cunt on a bike.
@drsoul GPM10 run awesome training camps in Mallorca as well as other rides… you may also want to check out La Fuga (www.lafuga.cc) who run a similar type operation with same style.
@DrC… nice ride, but means we haven’t met! I’m rubbish at remembering faces or names, but I rarely forget bikes. Only Specialiseds I’ve come across on GPM10 were Tarmacs
@Fredrik
+1 Wonderful, eloquent post – I think you said it all.
@Fredrik
Beautifully put, especially about not riding to escape but for the riding itself although it ultimately improves our perception of everything else.
@roadslave
Thanks again. Yes, I am familiar with La Fuga and planned to connect with them next year, too. This will be my first year trying “organized” trips with groups. As I have experiences with them, I’ll report here.
Has anyone here used Backroads for any of their cycling trips?
@roadslave
never done a GPM10 before, so new ground for me and my group – the fact they were on Tarmacs, and I’m on a Roubaix tells a story!!
Just back from the Hurt Locker – 30km of muchos 14-18% with a smidgeon of 21% – can’t quite imagine doing that all day for 5 days….
Tony Martin awesome, Faboo defended like a demon, but just pushed too hard – what a TT
@drsoul
Who are Backroads?
@Ron
You know, I saw the preview (and the resultant comments, similar in review to yours) on the Bike Snob NYC blog. Sure, the whole fixie culture has jumped the shark. But, what exactly, is so wrong with the looks of this film from your perspective? It seems like a “suspense-filled/ chase/whodunit/what’s it all about?” film that involves bikes and bike messengers. I got no beef with that. Sure, bike messengers are always made out to be self-centered, close-minded jerks (to use a polite term). And there are portions of the preview that support these perceptions. But, really, are we only interested in seeing cycling at the center of medium to big budget major release films that have the aesthetic qualities to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes?
For those who haven’t seen the preview, here it is:
http://youtu.be/Pn6ie1zCkZU
@Dr C
Backroads (http://www.backroads.com/) is an active travel company specializing in hiking, walking, riding, and other active travel pursuits around the globe. They have always been well reviewed by folks that I know who have travelled with them (though, alas, none of my friends have done any of the cycling trips). They do a Tour of California package, some California Wine Country trips, and others. Because their focus isn’t cycling, they are not as “heavy”, if you will, as the aforementioned outfits we’ve been discussing. But they do have trips. They are also generally on the luxury side of things as far as accommodations, support, and “extras” are concerned.
Nice one, Fredrik!
Good point. I do find being on the bike clears my mind, but I’m rarely trying to escape or forget anything. It’s more along the lines of letting my mind wander, wonder, and roam. My life ain’t bad, not much to escape!
Last week I was finishing a ride, hammering along the home stretch which is a slight downhill that gives you some nice speed. Suddenly I realized that my legs were seemingly turning on their own, flying around effortlessly. It was a magical moment.
Just went to their site…I take it back. They do some “heavy” trips…
http://www.backroads.com/biking-trips
@Fredrik
Of course, the title of this piece is “The Great Escape”, but to say you are escaping from something by no stretch is intended to mean you’re escaping life – hopefully we have fairly good lives and cycling enhances that, hopefully it’s not the only good thing you have. I’m happy to say I have a great life; I have a good job, a happy family, good friends…nothing to escape from there.
The point is, Cycling gives me whatever it is I need on any particular day. I change for the worse when I don’t ride, and I change for the better when I do. But it couldn’t give me all those things without also giving all those beautiful things you describe.
Fantastic stuff. Bobet’s book changed my life, in particular that chapter on La Volupte – I’ve written several times on the subject. Best cycling book ever. Also, absolutely agree on the goals – they’re very good in some ways, and very distracting in others. Also, if you’re driven and motivated by the event, you risk faltering when the event is over if you don’t have another lined up afterwards. Cycling is much more than just a means to an end.
Excellent work, this post earned you the +1 Badge for the week. Cheers.
@all
Continuing fantastic discussion. All great stuff!
@roadslave
You’ll have to send me the original of that photo – that is fantastic! Don’t worry about hitting the summit in clear weather; you’re not riding for a view, are you? My favorite rides ever have all been in the misty clouds. Seems appropriate.
@Ron
That’s exactly what Bobet calls La Volupté. A moment you cannot control, or even call up, but must savour.
@sgt
I have always wanted to explore Solvang on my bike. Good family friends own the Solvang Bakery. You can put on a few pounds in that little town pretty fast.
The In-laws live in Paso so when we come down from Tahoe I always bring the bike. Next time I’m gonna venture south a bit more to your neck of the woods. I’ve also always wanted to do the PCH from Carmel and end in SLO. Have you done it?
@Fredrik
Nicely done sir!
@drsoul
Thanks for the preview. Let’s face it, incorporating cycling into a movie is hard. A fairly regular actor can pass as a messenger; masquerading as a pro is much more difficult. Also, the logistics of recreating say, a Tour de France, is just a nightmare on so many levels. (I doubt any movie about COTHO’s exploits will ever come to pass). While I’m no fixie, the messengers do ride for a reason (to make a living) rather than just fanny about and pose. Kudos to the filmmaker for incorporating an aspect of our bike culture into a movie. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea as many see all bike riders as the same (violating traffic laws willy-nilly) but from a filmmakers point of view, its a viable and novel ingredient to a thriller movie.
@scaler911
I’m all for a group meetup that starts here in Portland! OK, so our count is up to two now.
@mcsqueak
I plan on spending about ten days in Portland and Seattle in a couple of weeks. I’m up for a ride out on Skyline Blvd or out to Larch Mt. or Multnomah Falls if the timing is right.
@Cyclops
Hey that would be sweet. OK, up to three now!