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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frank says:

May 30 2012 at 9:30 am

@scaler911
I can't imagine why there is an obesity problem in the midwest.
versio says:

May 30 2012 at 9:31 am

@motor city
SLX shoes already sold.
urbanwhitetrash says:

May 30 2012 at 9:36 am

@mcsqueak

@scaler911

I for one thank whomever invented the Scotch Egg (maybe the Scots?) every time I visit the Horse Brass pub.

When you're in Seattle, go to Quinn's Pub and try the Scotch Egg there, out of this world good.
the Engine says:

May 30 2012 at 9:43 am

In Scotland the booze generally kills us before we come obese and die
the Engine says:

May 30 2012 at 9:44 am

@the Engine

In Scotland the booze generally kills us before we come obese and die

"become obese" - dang
mcsqueak says:

May 30 2012 at 9:45 am

@urbanwhitetrash

We went there the night before the Whidbey Island Cogal last October! I had a boar meat sloppy joe, freakin' awesome.
scaler911 says:

May 30 2012 at 9:45 am

@frank

@scaler911
I can't imagine why there is an obesity problem in the midwest.

The problem is there's a word that only the minority of us in the US understand and follow; Moderation.
mcsqueak says:

May 30 2012 at 9:50 am

@scaler911

@frank

@scaler911
I can't imagine why there is an obesity problem in the midwest.

The problem is there's a word that only the minority of us in the US understand and follow; Moderation.

And not to get on too high of a horse here, but for much of the population in the United States exercise means "pay $60/mo for an unused gym membership" coupled with a healthy dose of "ride the elevator up one floor" and "circle the Wal-Mart parking lot for 10 minutes to find the closest spot to the door".
the Engine says:

May 30 2012 at 10:56 am

@mcsqueak

@scaler911

@frank

@scaler911
I can't imagine why there is an obesity problem in the midwest.

The problem is there's a word that only the minority of us in the US understand and follow; Moderation.

And not to get on too high of a horse here, but for much of the population in the United States exercise means "pay $60/mo for an unused gym membership" coupled with a healthy dose of "ride the elevator up one floor" and "circle the Wal-Mart parking lot for 10 minutes to find the closest spot to the door".

Don't know where to start round here - I ride past people in our small town who've never been out of breath in their lives and who spend as much on fags and booze in a year as I spend on having a decent bike and at least trying to look pro. This whole group's about self respect - maybe a giant Cogal would wake a few up to what they could still be - dream on I suppose...
Buck Rogers says:

May 30 2012 at 2:45 pm

Sorry, bit off topic but hoping no Velominati were hurt in the shooting today in Seattle at the Cafe Racer. Just saw the news on the BBC. Prayers sent to those hurt and their families.