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

fignons barber says:

Feb 9 2016 at 7:13 am

@wiscot

@Buck Rogers

@fignons barber

@wiscot

Still, the Atala kit is still in the top 10 of all time. Mapei, one of the worst of all time.

Bugno at the start of his career..looks good.
fignons barber says:

Feb 9 2016 at 7:15 am

....and at the end of his career....still looks good.
Mikael Liddy says:

Feb 9 2016 at 9:49 pm

The concept behind this is just as applicable in our own offices as it is for the Lion in his.

I work in a back office department at a bank where the dress code is "business wear", which apparently can mean as little as pants, a shirt & leather shoes for the men. It's no surprise to me when I suit up that it's the "do no more than required to avoid getting fired" slobs that always ask why I'm so dressed up.

Watching my boss (she may belong in the above camp) get worked up when people come to me with questions that should be asked of her is a delicious added benefit of looking fantastic.
fignons barber says:

Feb 10 2016 at 1:23 pm

While on the subject of kits, sometimes it's got to be painful to be a professional cyclist. Look at what two of the most stylish icons of their generation were forced to endure in public:
wiscot says:

Feb 10 2016 at 3:19 pm

@fignons barber

While on the subject of kits, sometimes it’s got to be painful to be a professional cyclist. Look at what two of the most stylish icons of their generation were forced to endure in public:

Merck knows I'm a Bugno fan AND a Fignon fan, but there's a real contrast going on here. Gianni, being the Italian stud he is, seems to have coolly selected the slim fit nylon pants and a jacket that is longer than it is wide, instinctively understanding that these will make him look fit and cool and a chick magnet. He is, of course, 100% correct.

M. Fignon on the other hand, seems to think that wearing the Chris Christie-size of gear will hide his perhaps too-fat-to-climb physique. Alas not. He looks like he's wearing a diaper under there. Sloppy seconds for the Professeur.
wiscot says:

Feb 10 2016 at 3:21 pm

@fignons barber

….and at the end of his career….still looks good.

The sly smile on the face says "this jersey is looking good . . . but can I please, please, please wear black shorts?"
Beers says:

Feb 14 2016 at 4:10 pm

@fignons barber

Speaking of Mapei, a photo of a young Paolini, sans neck thingie and assos glasses.

I would argue that the Mapei kits were the most “effective” of all time, as we are still talking about them 13 years after their last race. I liked that they changed it up every year, never the same. I liked the 1997 and 1998 versions the best. 2002 went a bit too far:

I got one of these, it looks pretty good with black shorts actually. Given that some small vendors of jerseys these days sell jerseys with patterns of parrots or fruit, I think it fits in quite well.

I keep it for retro days on the steel though, extra special..