Categories: La Vie VelominatusMusings from the V-Bunker

The Power of Sport

We will always find unity through Cycling. VLVV.

Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the human race.

HG Wells

The world is a strange place. Our planet is more globally connected than ever before where our differences are measured by increasingly smaller margins, yet they represent apparently unbridgeable chasms. The horrific events in Paris and elsewhere around the world emphasize this point, and the resulting political responses make us seem as though we were magnets held at opposing poles: the closer we are held together, the more fiercely we are pushed apart.

In this world of increasing violence, the world of sport appears to be a uniquely unifying force. This first struck me at the Whistler Olympics in 2010. People of every religion, ethnicity, and political view came together harmoniously in the spirit of international competition; there was no question of politics or religion, only a shared excitement for the events taking place around us. Having spent loads of time in Whistler before the Olympics, it was striking to feel the contrast between how the village normally felt, and the radiating energy and spirit of goodwill that permeated everywhere. This alone was inspiring well beyond the the performances of the athletes themselves; it is this global spirit of community that is unique to sport.

Terrorism takes place all over the world, with a frequency so staggeringly high that we tend to become shamefully numb to it so long as it doesn’t affect an area we have a personal connection to. At that point, the bubble of isolation and abstraction we built around ourselves comes crashing down and we’re left with the tangible reality that we are at the mercy of chance.

As many of you know, I attended the Rouleur Classic this past week in London. I must confess that the size of London, its proximity to France, it’s own history of attacks, and the recent airline bombing gave me a certain degree of consternation at my impending trip. But once I arrived, I was once again overwhelmed by the incredible atmosphere that these sorts of events can bring; within the walls of the Rouleur event, people from all over the world were united – brought together by a common and unshakable passion for Cycling. Personal differences that might otherwise represent tangible obstacles to friendship were instantly swept aside by an unshakable sense of community.

The world today is an intimidating place, but I am buoyed by my faith in sport and Cycling in particular to find a way to bring us together. For me, Cycling will always bring unity. VLVV.

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.

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View Comments

Chipomarc says:

Nov 24 2015 at 2:12 pm

@chuckp

So many newbies with all these fondos and charity rides not to mention all those other sport types jumping on the road cycling bandwagon over the last 15 years.

It was much better back in the 90s than it is today. Back when everyone was dropping the road bike for the new mountain bike scene roadies were much more of a real brethren thing, that is gone now.
chris says:

Nov 24 2015 at 2:15 pm

@Oli

@chris

Me and Donald Trump both love food, but I have to admit I find it hard not to hate him.

There are plenty of cyclists I can’t stand, also. Commonality is one thing, liking a dick because he happens to ride a bike too is quite another. There’s nothing more bullshit than the idea of forced fellowship.

I wasn't suggesting swapping spit in the shower and of course there are going to be dicks like Trump but at worst there are probably a few people that we ride with that we wouldn't have much to do with otherwise even if only because we move in different circles.
chuckp says:

Nov 24 2015 at 2:32 pm

@Chipomarc

@chuckp

So many newbies with all these fondos and charity rides not to mention all those other sport types jumping on the road cycling bandwagon over the last 15 years.

It was much better back in the 90s than it is today. Back when everyone was dropping the road bike for the new mountain bike scene roadies were much more of a real brethren thing, that is gone now.

I agree. Late 80s/early 90s is when I came of age in road cycling/racing. Some things are the same (both good and bad). A lot of things are different ... like the whole MAMIL phenomena. As someone who just came back to the sport last year, what I noticed most was that there were a lot of people who were physically good/strong riders but who didn't know how to ride. And they weren't necessarily newbies, but maybe newbies to group riding. One of the things I do is try to help them along (at least those that want the help).
chuckp says:

Nov 24 2015 at 2:33 pm

@Chipomarc

@chuckp

So many newbies with all these fondos and charity rides not to mention all those other sport types jumping on the road cycling bandwagon over the last 15 years.

It was much better back in the 90s than it is today. Back when everyone was dropping the road bike for the new mountain bike scene roadies were much more of a real brethren thing, that is gone now.

If I could re-publish newsletters from my old club/team, it would be like reading the prequel to the Velominati. :-)
Oli says:

Nov 24 2015 at 2:49 pm

@chris

Haha, "swapping spit"!
gilly says:

Nov 24 2015 at 3:23 pm

I read a great article about Ivan Basso in this months Cyclist. I can't quote verbatim but he was basically saying that Cycling has made him a better man. I feel the same, Mrs G knows instinctively when I need to hit the bike and will forcefully order me out on a ride on occasion, knowing that I'll come back settled, knackered and with sense of perspective back in check; a better man than the one who left a couple of hours earlier. It's healthy to remind ourselves just how grateful we should be to Cycling.
Ccos says:

Nov 24 2015 at 4:37 pm

@chris

@Oli

@chris

Me and Donald Trump both love food, but I have to admit I find it hard not to hate him.

there are going to be dicks like Trump...

There ALL assholes, he's just more open about it.

(I was going to write "haters gonna hate" but since my street lingo hasn't progressed past late 1970's white dude jive, I have no idea what that means and "chump want no help, chump get no help" didn't seem to make any sense).
Ccos says:

Nov 24 2015 at 4:39 pm

@Ccos

@chris

@Oli

@chris

Me and Donald Trump both love food, but I have to admit I find it hard not to hate him.

there are going to be dicks like Trump…

They're ALL assholes, he’s just more open about it.

(I was going to write “haters gonna hate” but since my street lingo hasn’t progressed past late 1970’s white dude jive, I have no idea what that means and “chump want no help, chump get no help” didn’t seem to make any sense).

fixed the grammar (apologies).
wiscot says:

Nov 24 2015 at 4:40 pm

@gilly

I read a great article about Ivan Basso in this months Cyclist. I can’t quote verbatim but he was basically saying that Cycling has made him a better man. I feel the same, Mrs G knows instinctively when I need to hit the bike and will forcefully order me out on a ride on occasion, knowing that I’ll come back settled, knackered and with sense of perspective back in check; a better man than the one who left a couple of hours earlier. It’s healthy to remind ourselves just how grateful we should be to Cycling.

Hear hear. I had a Grand Canyon sized load of stress in 2012 and 2013. Had I not had the bike and had to seek solace in something else, I'd be so messed up right now I don't want to think about it.

I hear the other comments re niche sport versus wider popularity. Both have their plusses and minuses.I hit the Scottish TT scene in the 80s. It was wonderful. With all the increased traffic and the destruction of many courses now, I doubt it's as much fun. When I rode, the stakes/winnings were so paltry you had to do it for fun.
DavyMuur says:

Nov 24 2015 at 5:27 pm

@gilly

I read a great article about Ivan Basso in this months Cyclist. I can’t quote verbatim but he was basically saying that Cycling has made him a better man. I feel the same, Mrs G knows instinctively when I need to hit the bike and will forcefully order me out on a ride on occasion, knowing that I’ll come back settled, knackered and with sense of perspective back in check; a better man than the one who left a couple of hours earlier. It’s healthy to remind ourselves just how grateful we should be to Cycling.

Snap. Very similar situation in the Muur household. She can read the signs and fair play to her for that.

I definitely consider cycling as - among other things - a form of meditation. Not too long ago, my doctor asked me "what do you think about when you're on the bike?". I took a moment or two to ponder on the question. "Nothing", I replied.

Some call it Zen, some call it mindfulness, I call it cycling. Without it I would be an angrier, lesser man.

VLVV