Categories: Accessories and GearNostalgiaReverenceThe Bikes

La Bicyclette

I love the shape of it. Aroma of it. The way it feels to be around it. It will catch my eye from across the way; I will be powerless to resist taking in its form and perhaps allow my hand to graze its surface. The source of such beauty and harmony, it is a fountain of unspeakable happiness.

It offers me companionship when I need it, solitude when I want to be alone. It distracts me when I’m trying to focus and focuses me when I am trying not to be distracted. It inspires me to take chances, and reminds me to be patient.

It breaks me down when I’m overconfident, it builds me up when I’m insecure. It brings me pain to remind me I should become a stronger man.

I love it when it’s flawless, but I love it more when it shows signs of wear; our time together has changed us both indelibly for the better.

It is no wonder the French and Italians refer to the bicycle in the feminine form, for all these things embody what it means to be a strong woman.

Women are made to be loved, not understood. -Oscar Wilde

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

minion says:

Jun 3 2012 at 5:12 pm

@mcsqueak

@versio

Yeah I hope. Just a nagging sore hamstring when riding, I think through taking on too much volume too quickly in the spring combined with weight lifting. Not a show stopper, but annoying as it takes your mind out of "the moment" during rides and focuses it on the small bit of soreness every time the leg bends.

Taper the lifting off if you haven't already, your body needs to convert that strength you've developed off the bike into useful strength on it. It's a transition phase, that can be tricky to manange depending on your expectations.

@McSqueak...
"My "brother-in-law" (not married yet but easier than explaining the family connection)" dude that sounds like your not yet brother in law is already part of the family...
silkrider says:

Jun 3 2012 at 5:23 pm

@Cyclops

I love riding my bike.

isn't that sorta like saying "i love to breathe" ?