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.

View Comments

  • Ahem. In the lead photo, aren't the cranks in the wrong position and the chain on the small ring? Both violations? Mind you, gotta love the sepia tone.

  • @wiscot

    Ahem. In the lead photo, aren't the cranks in the wrong position and the chain on the small ring? Both violations? Mind you, gotta love the sepia tone.

    The cranks are in the correct position, and next time you're in town, I'll take you up that road and if you ride it in the big ring, I'll give you the keys to this website. The Rule is to make the bike photogenic, but the parameters are subjective. The one I added as to crank position is, of course, 100% correct, and the one Brett added about the big ring is completely bullshit (convenient, isn't it?). I always photograph my bikes in the little ring. Nothing tough about setting your bike against a wall in the big dog; its tough to ride in the big dog. Up hills. Steep ones.

  • @frank
    Point of order, they aren't at 30 degrees. I don't care, but just in the interests of correctness.

    Personally, if I bother to line the cranks up, I wouldn't go for 30 degrees anyway, I'd line them up with either the seatube or the chainstay.

  • @the Engine

    This is my bike. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
    My bike is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
    My bike, without me, is useless. Without my bike, I am useless.

    You remind me of @PrivateJoker

  • Two of the main reasons why my productivity at work is way down...great post Frank. Although I am not into the "signs of wear" phase of the relationship yet, we are still honeymooning. She is three days off the stand and my first true carbon ride - I am a little more than obsessed!!

  • @Tobin

    Two of the main reasons why my productivity at work is way down...great post Frank. Although I am not into the "signs of wear" phase of the relationship yet, we are still honeymooning. She is three days off the stand and my first true carbon ride - I am a little more than obsessed!!

    Don't let that no.1 bike out of your sight. Seriously!

  • @frank

    @RedRanger
    He chose the car over this little hunny? Hard to believe.


    This is what his view is like from inside the car leaving the driveway to go parking...

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