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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View Comments

Major VVald says:

Dec 11 2015 at 11:51 am

I am not worthy. Rode in today, almost a PR, and yet....her efforts put me to shame. I will have to take a punitive lesson in V on the ride home today to regain my self-worth. Lauren you are amazing.
Major VVald says:

Dec 11 2015 at 11:52 am

@Major VVald

Damn autocorrect it's Laurel FFS!
Ccos says:

Dec 11 2015 at 12:55 pm

Riding to your limit requires a careful negotiation with your internal governor, more "shut up head" than "shut up legs." Mine for one is a lying bastard but I'm stuck with it for the moment. I always seen to have energy left, even after all the alarm bells are being sounded.

It fails to amend my activities in other aspects of life though which I find interesting.
DeKerr says:

Dec 11 2015 at 3:08 pm

There is just so much V and VV in this picture!
Haldy says:

Dec 11 2015 at 3:23 pm

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

Dec 11 2015 at 8:47 pm

Kudos for Laurel on that kind of effort.

Now that I'm an old shit and with all the buzz lately on heart issues with life long endurance people I've notched the intensity way back. No more 16km TTs for me as it's pointless riding those and leaving anything in the tank. Kind of satisfied with just getting out and putting in the time on the bike.
DavyMuur says:

Dec 12 2015 at 12:40 am

@Haldy

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

Probably. Few athletes have pushed themselves that close to the edge and lived to tell the tale. What the world witnessed that day was nothing short of a superhuman effort. But was it genius - knowing thyself to perfection? Or was it sheer recklessness?

On a personal level, I once vomited while assaulting a local climb. While I took pride in the fact that I had pushed myself to that extent, the VMH failed to be impressed.
sthilzy says:

Dec 12 2015 at 1:31 am

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

Drag to 7:44

Today’s lesson is that if you can still stand after the effort, you didn’t go hard enough.

Have a race tomorrow, I'll see if I can vomit after crossing the line.
Lister says:

Dec 12 2015 at 4:02 am

I just love the look on Laurel's face, well done! Kind of makes me want to try cyclocross hmmmm, another bike.
wilburrox says:

Dec 12 2015 at 6:54 am

Love this snapshot. And this my friends is why I'm thinking I might have more fun next year helping to organize some races than actually racing!