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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PeakInTwoYears says:

Feb 5 2016 at 9:22 am

@frank

@PeakInTwoYears

I’ve listened to that TED Talk more than once and loved it. Can’t believe I didn’t consciously connect it to Fournel’s Theorem.

Did you watch the one I linked to the other week on The Golden Circle? Brand Management is near and dear to my heart for the obvious reasons, and the simplicity of that message, not to mention the biological connection to the style of communication is just brilliant.

https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en

Just watched it. Yeah, that's a fabulous talk. (And I could listen to his mid-Atlantic accent all day.)
wiscot says:

Feb 5 2016 at 9:39 am

@Ron

@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!

Great story! And FWIW, my real name's not Wiscot . . . I'd be quite interested in knowing what some of the other Velominati are really called. I heard Frank's real name is Hennie.

I might get out for a ride on Sunday - mid 30's forecast!
David Dornian says:

Feb 5 2016 at 9:40 am

@litvi

You know how it goes. There are no pants pockets on fast kit. If you don't have a bike to hold or lean on, what are you going to do? I suppose there is the "Napoleon" solutions, but really...
Ccos says:

Feb 5 2016 at 9:46 am

Years ago when doing a surgery rotation as a student, one of the Surgical Attendings loudly told a turtle-neck wearing intern to go home and put on a "proper shirt and tie" because he looked like a "fucking neurologist." That has stuck with me.

Looking the business extends beyond the bike. Gotta look the part to be the part. (Apologies to all the turtle neck wearing Neurologists who may be reading this).
Mick says:

Feb 5 2016 at 9:48 am

@Teocalli

@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

Funny to think that this Mapei kit was seen by many as particularly ghastly back in the day, even by mid90s full-on hideous standards.I remember Vittorio Adorni writing in his Bicisport column that having to wear that kit -especially those bib shorts- was a human rights violation or something of the kind...

How time passes... We know look at Museeuw in awe, we see a champion, one of the last true greats -he could make any piece of bike clothing look great. Even those terrible cycling shorts you see in discount retail chains in July. Even the Footon-Servetto kit from 2010.
Buck Rogers says:

Feb 5 2016 at 11:33 am

@Mick

@Teocalli

@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

Funny to think that this Mapei kit was seen by many as particularly ghastly back in the day, even by mid90s full-on hideous standards.I remember Vittorio Adorni writing in his Bicisport column that having to wear that kit -especially those bib shorts- was a human rights violation or something of the kind…

How time passes… We know look at Museeuw in awe, we see a champion, one of the last true greats -he could make any piece of bike clothing look great. Even those terrible cycling shorts you see in discount retail chains in July. Even the Footon-Servetto kit from 2010.

It also doesn't hurt that kit AT ALL that he is in the rainbow jersey. I still maintain that it was (is) a hideous kit but the jersey was made incredibly better with the rainbow jersey.
chuckp says:

Feb 5 2016 at 11:58 am

@Ccos

Years ago when doing a surgery rotation as a student, one of the Surgical Attendings loudly told a turtle-neck wearing intern to go home and put on a “proper shirt and tie” because he looked like a “fucking neurologist.” That has stuck with me.

Looking the business extends beyond the bike. Gotta look the part to be the part. (Apologies to all the turtle neck wearing Neurologists who may be reading this).

Conformity has its place/use. But there's also something to be said about not going along with everyone else and just being different. Being "proper" can be oh so dull and boring. You need to have fun every once in a while.
chuckp says:

Feb 5 2016 at 12:00 pm

@wiscot

Great story! And FWIW, my real name’s not Wiscot . . . I’d be quite interested in knowing what some of the other Velominati are really called. I heard Frank’s real name is Hennie.

FFS ... Frank's real name is Francis ... and he is a she.
chuckp says:

Feb 5 2016 at 12:06 pm

@Buck Rogers

@Mick

@Teocalli

Funny to think that this Mapei kit was seen by many as particularly ghastly back in the day, even by mid90s full-on hideous standards.I remember Vittorio Adorni writing in his Bicisport column that having to wear that kit -especially those bib shorts- was a human rights violation or something of the kind…

How time passes… We know look at Museeuw in awe, we see a champion, one of the last true greats -he could make any piece of bike clothing look great. Even those terrible cycling shorts you see in discount retail chains in July. Even the Footon-Servetto kit from 2010.

It also doesn’t hurt that kit AT ALL that he is in the rainbow jersey. I still maintain that it was (is) a hideous kit but the jersey was made incredibly better with the rainbow jersey.

I know I'm in the minority with this group, but I loved it then and still do. The Mapei kit was so hideous it was beautiful. So 90s, which was the apex of my racing days.
frank says:

Feb 5 2016 at 12:14 pm

@Buck Rogers