No animals were harmed during this 16okm solo Giro win. Photo Graeme Watson
La Vie Velominatus isn’t a part-time gig. La Vie means the life, and The V is my life. Otherwise, I’d be Some V Velominatus, some of the time.
Even when I’m not riding my bike, like the last two weeks (for reasons which don’t really matter, and offering them only renders them excuses), I live La Vie through other avenues. Every day, no matter what I’m putting out, the only thing I’m putting in is V. I’m a Vegan. And like everything else that La Vie encompasses, it takes commitment.
Choosing to not eat meat, dairy or animal products usually elicits reactions ranging from surprise to condemnation. When it comes to riding a bike, being a V-tarian has benefitted me no end. Animal protein and fat doesn’t help one to spin pedals for hours on end. The proof is in the (dairy-free) pudding. This summer just past and the build-up to Keepers Tour was my best patch of form for a long time. Granted, it may not be entirely due to my diet, but it certainly didn’t hurt me. My endurance was excellent, I laid down plenty of V, felt light and strong on the climbs and recovery wasn’t a problem (malted, hopped beverages always work). And the riders on KT will attest to that fact. Never have I thought “if only I ate meat I’d be a better rider.” It works for me.
We all make choices in our life, and how to live it. I’ve made mine, and am sticking to them. And if for some unfathomable reason that offends you, then that’s for you to deal with, not me. I’m living La Vie for me (and the animals).
VLVV
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What is really important is to know what you're doing, why you're doing it and to do it responsibly!
Everything in la vie velominatus has to have a reason. Even if you found it in "The Rules" and don't really get it.
Well said, that man. Exactly.
Nice one, Brett! I saw that piece on Mr. T. I was impressed, as I always am, at how thoughtful non-English speakers can be when interviewed in English. Maybe I'd be the same way if I could slow down and think before I answer?
I eat very little meat, cook most of my own food, and never eat fast food. I actually stopped patronizing fast food chains when I visited the south island of New Zealand and realized that if we have a McDonald's in every goddamn town on the planet everything is going to look and feel the same. That was in 2001.
I actually started hunting a few years ago because I like venison and if I'm going to eat meat I might as well be the one taking it.
What really confuses me is that people who eat in the most uncleanly "restaurants" are usually the most sensitive about food, germs, etc. Ha, if they only knew where the kids hands were before he microwaved their burger. Industrial meat is fucking horrible for the environment and horrible for the animals. That being said, rich folks who only eat organic food because they care about themselves, but don't compost, recycle, give a fuck about the environment piss me off.
And eating is a very complex thing. Vegetarian or vegan eating just isn't an option for a lot of people. Soda and chips are the closest foods they have around them.
@czmiel
Well said! We can probably leave it at that and close the discussion. But that is definitely the key - self-awareness about what and why you're doing something.
Nice one Brett. I hear ya. What I thought was a very positive thing at the KT this year was the reaction from the Velominati to not only your diet choice but also my own alcohol free choice, no negativity or incredulity, just acceptance and understanding. If only the rest of the fecking planet could get along like that !
@strathlubnaig
Live and let live....nuff said.
@strathlubnaig
Really? I'm sure I called you a freak for not drinking beer! And I copped a lot of inane animal killing 'jokes' from some quarters, but ignorance is bliss, so I ignored them.
But you're right, on the whole the acceptance was fantastic, and some even went to the trouble of finding out more about my choices. And having Genevieve catering for me was awesome!
@Deakus
Except when it comes to animals, obviously...
@brett
Well perhaps my recollection was clouded by the sheer excitement of actually being in France and riding the pavé &etc. But I guess a bit of friendly ribbing is not unexpected, but defo no real negativity or venom or shitey peer pressure. If they had I would just have dropped the gloves anyways. The main point is commitment to your choices. Good man.
@brett
I cannot fathom how or why people, once they know you. would criticise you for not eating meat. There are far more compelling reasons to think you are a cunt. Not eating meat is the least of your bad choices. What about moving to New Zealand?
Great lead photo - i would have mentioned this before, I am sure. In about 1998 or so, a few people were around at my house where my bike was occupying a fairly prominent position. A young lady asked me whether i was into cycling - my response, a sniffy yes followed by some bullshit from me trying to discuss cycling, but really just somewhat immodestly deliver an underlying message that I was pretty darn good, "I do a bit of racing, I do the Hell Ride, etc etc. She responded amiably, said her family was into cycling and she thought her dad had a bit to do with the Hell Ride back in the day. I didnt think too much more of it other than i was pretty confident i had impressed her with my self-described cycling prowess. Pretty sure I was cycling C or B grade at the time. Two years later the above photo was taken of her brother.