Categories: Belgian AffirmationsLa Vie VelominatusLook ProMusings from the V-Bunker

Body Language

As a matter of fact, no, I hadn't forgotten how awesome I am.

A true leader rarely asks someone to do something for them; the best leaders inspire through their own example those around them to follow suit and join them in their cause. The leader is fueled by something that is not externally driven, it is born from within and appears in this world as passion and conviction. These qualities, in their genuine state, are irresistible.

Style is a special kind of art, it is not the kind of art that is hung on the wall and gazed upon by passers by; like leadership, it is not externally focussed but instead is something one uses to shape how we feel. We become a piece of living, breathing art. And then, hypothetically, after you spill some mustard down the front of your lovely, crisp shirt, the art might also take on an olfactory quality as well.

A foundational principle of La Vie Velominatus is the power of Looking Fantastic: of dressing up in impeccable, matching kit and climbing aboard a perfectly curated, cleaned, and tuned machine before setting out onto the road brimming with confidence and oozing morale. As Paul Fournel said, “To look good is already to go fast.”

There might actually be some science behind it, which I’ve never needed but always assumed there would be.

Research suggests that our own body language can alter our hormonal levels to the effect that they significantly change the way we perceive ourselves. (If you haven’t watched Amy Cuddy‘s TED Talk on Body Language, you should.) In her studies, she found that something as simple as adopting a high power stance for two minutes can increase testosterone levels by 80% (making one more confident and assertive) and reduce cortisol levels by 25% (making one less reactive to stress).

Both of these sound a lot like how kitting up for a cold, rainy ride in my Flandrian Best makes me feel; I will set out into the deluge brimming with confidence and ready to face the cold and risks that come as a part of not only riding a bike, but riding one in wet, poor-visibility conditions. At high speed. If standing in a bathroom with your arms in the air for two minutes can measurably change your hormone levels for the better, then I have every reason to believe that knowing that you Look Fantastic at All Times would have the same, if not stronger, effect.

Vive la Vie Velominatus.

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

David Beers says:

Feb 4 2016 at 5:37 pm

@Barracuda

OK I give up: who is that simply relaxed Mapei billboard, and how can I get some of that cozy-looking kit? I'm breaking in my new Mapei Team Colnago EPS and I just gotta wear that full-on hideous outfit. While Looking Pro over a Cappuccino, it's so important to look fast while sitting still. Deliberately.
Sebastian Bustos says:

Feb 4 2016 at 6:23 pm

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!!

The bar tape is my old racer-grandad's trick ;) plus, cloth has an excellent grip!! just used it for a while, though, due to busting my tape going down a singletrack the evening before that ride ;P already adressed both the tape and skewer issue!!
Teocalli says:

Feb 4 2016 at 7:45 pm

@Sebastian Bustos

There seems to be a fault with the punctuation keys on your keyboard. It must be that because emoticons are frowned upon here so you can't be using them.
RobSandy says:

Feb 5 2016 at 12:55 am

@DeKerr

@RobSandy

Yes. I’ve been having a bit of a crisis of confidence recently (am I training too hard, am I not training hard enough, am I ill, should I just HTFU, have I got my bike set up wrong,etc), but through a bit of PMA and an application of the V I’m feeling much more positive and ready for the racing season.

Just hope I can engineer a race situation where I can use my sprint.

Patience fellow Pedalwan, patience. Don’t be too keen to engineer a situation in a race unless you’ve got a team to work for or to work for you. Take time, and a few early races, to read the field; watch how others ride. The patient warrior waits for the opportunity but is always preparing and ready for its arrival.

Then, when that moment arrives, you can crush the fools, ride them off your wheel, and hear the lamentation of their coaches. (paraphrased from a certain barbarian)

Wisdom indeed.

I will wait, and watch, and learn. And when they time is right, only then will I crush fools.
RobSandy says:

Feb 5 2016 at 12:56 am

@Ron

One of them is actually the person who accidentally gave me the nickname “Ron,” which stuck.

Wait a minute, are you telling us NOW that Ron isn't you're real name? Not sure I can deal with that.
Sebastian Bustos says:

Feb 5 2016 at 3:31 am

@Teocalli Gotcha! T'was indeed a keyboard fault... Will address it asap
Buck Rogers says:

Feb 5 2016 at 3:38 am

@David Beers

@Barracuda

OK I give up: who is that simply relaxed Mapei billboard, and how can I get some of that cozy-looking kit? I’m breaking in my new Mapei Team Colnago EPS and I just gotta wear that full-on hideous outfit. While Looking Pro over a Cappuccino, it’s so important to look fast while sitting still. Deliberately.

If you mean the guy in the lead photo, that's Johan Museeuw, The Lion of Flanders. Forgive me if you already knew this. I wasn't sure if you were asking about him or not in your above post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnX4uaDYyIU
hudson says:

Feb 5 2016 at 5:18 am

@frank

@hudson

Both of these sound a lot like how kitting up for a cold, rainy ride in my Flandrian Best makes me feel; I will set out into the deluge brimming with confidence and ready to face the cold and risks that come as a part of not only riding a bike, but riding one in wet, poor-visibility conditions.

This! This is what its about. As much as i adore tanned guns and the quiet hum of the tires on the road on a June afternoon, out sprinting my ghost adversaries…i even more so have fallen lustfully over the V that it takes to kit up at 5 am knowing full well the pain of the frigid air awaiting me and the slush that has been deposited on the road while i slumber, taping over the cleats just so i can make it through the snow in the drive to get to the road. To me this is cycling at its finest. Early morning hours or not, i will look fantastic even if no one sees me.

Yes! We Look Fantastic first and foremost for ourselves, the fact that other people see us and bask in our Awesome is just icing on the cake.

And you’re riding in slush? On what kind of tires? The only time I reach for the trainer in lieu of a road ride is when it’s black-ice territory. Which isn’t to say I don’t ride the trainer otherwise – I do because it is good training and makes the stroke more magnificent, but the only weather that keeps me indoors irrespective is ice…

S-Works Turbo 26mm, nothing special...the VMW won't let me purchase a cross bike for the task or it "comes out of my funds for my new #1". I justify the stupidity of being ill equipped by calling it "Bike handling skills training". They do tend to be adventurous mornings! I refuse to go to a trainer, i see too many that make it a "go to" from October to March. I do not deny the training value of them and perhaps i'm cutting myself short, but for me road cycling is done on a road. I wouldn't train for football/soccer on a treadmill. Maybe if i lived in the PNW i'd have a different outlook.
Ron says:

Feb 5 2016 at 6:42 am

@RobSandy

@Ron

One of them is actually the person who accidentally gave me the nickname “Ron,” which stuck.

Wait a minute, are you telling us NOW that Ron isn’t you’re real name? Not sure I can deal with that.

Hey Rob. Sorry for the misrepresentation. It was completely unintentional. Give first name = Ryan. Named used by anyone friendly with me post-2001 = Ron.

Story is pretty funny. Was in a large college course, raised my hand to make a smartass comment to try and get my friends laughing. Professor calls on me, "Your name, please, first." I said Ryan, but I'm a low talker. "Okay, go ahead Ron..." Numerous friends throughout the room let out a low laugh. I just let it go, though I raised my hand as much as possible that semester so she'd call me Ron again. Summer off, then I spent a semester abroad. I return a full year later and have a much smaller class with the same professor. She asks me to stay after class on the first day. "Oh god, I've already made a bad impression and am getting a talking to?!" She asks if I prefer to be called Ryan or Ron. I had completely forgotten, it being a year on (very long ago for a teenage mind). "You can call me whatever you want, but my given name is Ryan." I didn't realize until I was walking back to my dorm what had happened.

She became my advisor and actually told my parents that story at my college graduation when she met them. Good god, a full adult, a college grad...and I was still the same wise guy I was in 2nd grade.

So, there ya go! I see it as a sign of affinity, since only my pals and those close to me call me that. And, since I feel like I'm amongst pals here, I just decided to use my nickname. Sorry for the confusion and I hope we can still be friends.

TGIF everyone. Commuted in full kit this morning on the carbone road bike, which feels a lot more awesome than riding the heavy commuter steed. Enjoy your weekends!
Teocalli says:

Feb 5 2016 at 8:16 am

@David Beers

@Barracuda

OK I give up: who is that simply relaxed Mapei billboard, and how can I get some of that cozy-looking kit? I’m breaking in my new Mapei Team Colnago EPS and I just gotta wear that full-on hideous outfit. While Looking Pro over a Cappuccino, it’s so important to look fast while sitting still. Deliberately.

Try here....... http://www.prendas.co.uk/teams/mapei-retro-team.html