Categories: Defining MomentsLa Vie VelominatusMusings from the V-BunkerThe Hardmen

À Bloc

Laurel Rathbun makes an adequate effort at Jingle Cross.

The V surrounds us, it penetrates and binds us together. Through disciplined practice we are able to draw from it to push harder and go farther on the bike; what we do on the bike then informs how we face our lives. The masters, such as the Prophet Merckx and the Apostle de Vlaeminck, could channel this strength to overcome the greatest challenges both on and off the bike.

The question we must always ask ourselves is, how hard is hard enough? The answer is, you go until the lights go out, and then you go some more. Today’s lesson is that if you can still stand after the effort, you didn’t go hard enough. Nice one, Laurel.

Merckxspeed, my fellow Velominati.

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:

Dec 12 2015 at 7:23 pm

@cognition

@frank

@Haldy

Does that make this, the greatest example of going hard enough, ever?

Yes. Class dismissed.

1987 was the year that I started cycling (relatively) seriously. Over the summer, between eighth grade and freshman year in high school, I had ridden Bianchi’s cheapest model over the hills of the Hudson Valley, and hung in with the b-group and c-group rides. I was almost always the youngest rider in the group, and I tried to listen to and learn from the older and veteran riders. In September, when I mistakenly thought that I’d started to learn something about cycling, I picked up a copy of Bicycling Magazine in our local library and read their story on Roche’s victory in the Tour de France. I remember not quite comprehending what would push someone to ride so hard that they collapsed at the finish line, and realizing then that I didn’t even know how much I didn’t know.

Humility is knowing how much you don't know. This is a beautiful story; thanks for sharing.

@Shane Courtney

Paul Kimmage was telling Sean Kelly about the time he pushed so hard (Olympics ,84 I think) he nearly passed out. He asked Kelly if this had ever happened him ……. Kelly replied ….. often….

I love that Kelly was always the man who would use one word when two would do. So funny that he's slipped into color commentary.
frank says:

Dec 12 2015 at 7:25 pm

@SamV

@sthilzy

I recall and effort a little while back, Frank vs. The Volcano, Part Trois;

Jesus. Look at those shoulders. No wonder it was such a struggle.

I've been cursed by my fucking nording skiing background my entire Cycling career. Thanks to a regiment of always refusing to carry the groceries into the house, I've been able to whittle them down a bit.

What fucking sport requires an upper body to propel you along anyway? What has the world come to?
frank says:

Dec 12 2015 at 7:26 pm

@sthilzy

Hey mate. Thanks for reminding me how fat I am. Vive la weekend, motherfucker.
frank says:

Dec 12 2015 at 7:28 pm

@Barry Malone

@cognition

@frank

@Haldy

Does that make this, the greatest example of going hard enough, ever?

Yes. Class dismissed.

1987 was the year that I started cycling (relatively) seriously. Over the summer, between eighth grade and freshman year in high school, I had ridden Bianchi’s cheapest model over the hills of the Hudson Valley, and hung in with the b-group and c-group rides. I was almost always the youngest rider in the group, and I tried to listen to and learn from the older and veteran riders. In September, when I mistakenly thought that I’d started to learn something about cycling, I picked up a copy of Bicycling Magazine in our local library and read their story on Roche’s victory in the Tour de France. I remember not quite comprehending what would push someone to ride so hard that they collapsed at the finish line, and realizing then that I didn’t even know how much I didn’t know.

I remember watching that on channel 4.

I thought it was over and Delgado had won, the disappointment was intense and then Phil Ligget says there is someone coming. It’s Roche it’s Roche I don’t believe it. It’s Roche

I will never forget it and Roche appeared the next morning lookin fresh as a daisy

I think that must be the Irish equivalent of LeMond's '89 victory; such a shock after being sure all had been lost.
Chipomarc says:

Dec 12 2015 at 7:43 pm

Growing out in the off season was a common euro pro thing back in the '80s.

Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle needing two or three guys to lift him off the pavement.
frank says:

Dec 12 2015 at 9:22 pm

@Chipomarc

I think that's a crash mate, not a deliberate attempt at being rad.
kixsand says:

Dec 13 2015 at 8:41 am

Speaking of needing to lose weight....just sitting down to a diner breakfast with the latest copy of Rouleur. This is a ritual equally as important to me as riding. Have a great day gentlemen.
Chipomarc says:

Dec 13 2015 at 9:14 am

@frank

@Chipomarc

I think that’s a crash mate, not a deliberate attempt at being rad.

Photo was showing how pudgy Duclos got during the winter of '88.
Ccos says:

Dec 13 2015 at 10:43 am

@frank

@kixsand

@frank

You’re looking a little heavy here Frank. I can say that because I am in the same boat…10-12 pounds away from where I’m sure I could climb the fuck out of anything.

Love the video though! Excellent example of suffering here.

I was thinking the same thing, glad I’m about 6 kg lighter now than I was then. This is me a few years earlier when I was having those enormous lunches.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph. What is going on here? He looks dyspneic just walking (or did he just eat the Lampre team and needs to burp?).
wilburrox says:

Dec 13 2015 at 4:30 pm

@frank

@sthilzy

That little part about, "I'd like to see a little more effort at the end..." Now that was gold! What are good friends for after all but to add some perspective when appropriate. I swear I don't know why that kinda thing looks fun but it sure does. Very cool. Cheers