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

Oli says:

Nov 24 2015 at 8:39 pm

@frank

Man, that's so sad. Poor guy. RIP

Was his girlfriend okay?
Oli says:

Nov 24 2015 at 8:43 pm

@frank

I don't race any more, but there are a few guys that I suffered alongside in many a hard race back in the day who I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire. There are even one or two I wouldn't let ride alongside me in those races, let alone training, but then again I am a cunt.

Sometimes the only common ground is the road you ride on.
frank says:

Nov 24 2015 at 10:22 pm

@Oli

@frank

I don’t race any more, but there are a few guys that I suffered alongside in many a hard race back in the day who I wouldn’t piss on if they were on fire. There are even one or two I wouldn’t let ride alongside me in those races, let alone training, but then again I am a cunt.

Sometimes the only common ground is the road you ride on.

Fair enough, on all counts. And I include in that the cunt count. (hee hee)

@Oli

@frank

Man, that’s so sad. Poor guy. RIP

Was his girlfriend okay?

She's alive and well from a health perspective, but riddled with guilt and feeling the brunt of her boyfriend's family's grief. Again, this is not a fair world.
Oli says:

Nov 25 2015 at 2:06 am

Poor woman. That's a terrible story, and I'm sorry to hear it.
chuckp says:

Nov 25 2015 at 6:52 am

@frank

@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.

That is the fundamental responsibility we have as Velominati: We have an obligation to guide the uninitiated. Sure, the sport is more popular now and more people are getting into it, but I would never want to deny these people the incredible experience that Cycling can bring. Them being uninitiated is not their fault.

It's part of why I ride and why I'm happy to be back riding after 15 some odd years away from it. There was always a part of me that mentored new riders/racers. In fact, it was one of the "core values" of the club/team I founded back in the 90s.

Speaking of the uninitiated, here's a great article on the subject by my good friend Maynard Hershon (one of the best cycling writers/journos ever).

http://www.bicyclepaper.com/articles/587-A-Few-Suggestions
chuckp says:

Nov 25 2015 at 6:53 am

@Oli

@frank

I don’t race any more, but there are a few guys that I suffered alongside in many a hard race back in the day who I wouldn’t piss on if they were on fire. There are even one or two I wouldn’t let ride alongside me in those races, let alone training, but then again I am a cunt.

Sometimes the only common ground is the road you ride on.

Word. I have no desire to keep the company of assholes ... either on the bike or off.
chuckp says:

Nov 25 2015 at 6:55 am

@frank

@Oli

I just heard today that a young man named Max who I met on the Seattle Book Signing Ride last year decided to dedicate his life to helping under-developed countries gain access to affordable food and aide. He travelled to Tanzania with his girlfriend and on the first night there, he was murdered by a group of guys who first mugged him (he gave them all he had) and then attacked his girlfriend at which point he intervened and was stabbed to death.

The world can be an impossibly cruel place.

So incredibly sad and tragic. My condolences to his family. And I hope his girlfriend recovers from the trauma and injuries inflicted.
CanuckChuck says:

Nov 25 2015 at 7:05 am

@RedRanger

vive le velo

Vive le vélo libre!
Chipomarc says:

Nov 25 2015 at 9:17 am

@chuckp

@frank

@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.

That is the fundamental responsibility we have as Velominati: We have an obligation to guide the uninitiated. Sure, the sport is more popular now and more people are getting into it, but I would never want to deny these people the incredible experience that Cycling can bring. Them being uninitiated is not their fault.

It’s part of why I ride and why I’m happy to be back riding after 15 some odd years away from it. There was always a part of me that mentored new riders/racers. In fact, it was one of the “core values” of the club/team I founded back in the 90s.

Speaking of the uninitiated, here’s a great article on the subject by my good friend Maynard Hershon (one of the best cycling writers/journos ever).

http://www.bicyclepaper.com/articles/587-A-Few-Suggestions

For newbies that have an income they can always hook up with a World Class Pro Rider's training camp in a nice warm area for some group riding and coaching.
chuckp says:

Nov 25 2015 at 10:04 am

A day early. And even if you're not American and don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Eat (turkey), drink (wine), ride.