Categories: Anatomy of a PhotoCyclocrossThe Hardmen

Anatomy of a Photo: The Shoulders of Giants

The question tackled here is of carrying the bicycle, should it require carrying. The non-cyclist is perhaps more inclined to consider carrying their bicycle than is the Cyclist. Examples that come to mind include the navigation of a giant mud pit or a steep twisty narrow snowy descent, where the uninitiated may erroneously contemplate the likelihood of survival between riding the bike as opposed to walking or carrying it. Other examples might be bunny-hopping a 1 meter vertical wall where a slight miscalculation may result in going from being Awesome to merely being OK.

But if one thing is certain, should matters come to carrying the bicycle, it is the shoulder that should be employed for this task, as time-tested by cyclocross riders for well over a century. No further research is required to resolve this matter. And, should the question of leather handles come up, I put it to you thusly: are you a giant hipster douche nozzle, or are you a hardman with Ultimate Rule #5 Leg and balls so big you could wear a sun visor with a gauze stocking cap?

Thanks to KRX10 for making me aware of this abomination of a leather handle.

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:

Aug 10 2012 at 1:30 pm

@Nate

Someone retrieved Wim van Est's bike from the ravine:

But it wasn't Wim:

He was a national hero in Dutchland after that episode; Pontiac, his watch sponsor, ran a comercial which said something to the effect of, "His heart stopped, but his pontiac still ran."
frank says:

Aug 10 2012 at 1:31 pm

@Nate

@unversio, @Xyverz

As any Dutchman will tell you, he's saying "my Pontiac is still ticking." Right Frank?

Ah, catching up. Yes!
sgt says:

Aug 10 2012 at 1:31 pm

@unversio

Yeah, that rifle thingy is called a "camera". It used "film" to take a "photograph". Kids these days.
TommyTubolare says:

Aug 10 2012 at 1:51 pm

@Nate

@frank
doubleR says:

Aug 10 2012 at 1:54 pm

@sgt

@unversio

Yeah, that rifle thingy is called a "camera". It used "film" to take a "photograph". Kids these days.

Camera? Looks to me like the guy's uncorking a bottle of wine.
Buck Rogers says:

Aug 10 2012 at 1:55 pm

@unversio

@itburns

@Duende

By the way, that photograph is great! I love the range of expressions on the faces of the spectators.

I really like the spectator on the far left. Everyone else seems to be concerned about the rider, he is obviously wondering where he can get a pair of those awesome cycling shoes.

He reminds me of the "Nat'zi" Third Reich character from Inglorious Bastards

AnotHer required movie viewing, at least twice.
Buck Rogers says:

Aug 10 2012 at 1:57 pm

@Steampunk

@Buck Rogers

You're too kind. Could I get a letter to that effect? For my file. To persuade my colleagues. I'd be grateful.

Damn, from me? They must be easily impressed!
sgt says:

Aug 10 2012 at 2:06 pm

@Buck Rogers

"We ain't in the prisoner takin' business. We're in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, business is a-boomin."
meursault says:

Aug 10 2012 at 2:18 pm

@doubleR

@sgt

@unversio

Yeah, that rifle thingy is called a "camera". It used "film" to take a "photograph". Kids these days.

Camera? Looks to me like the guy's uncorking a bottle of wine.

Might still be a rifle, that was how you swept in those days.
unversio says:

Aug 10 2012 at 3:03 pm

@sgt Colonel Hans Landa! Definitely in the photo sharpening his dagger.