The three virtues: Mind, Body, Machine.
In Japanese, “Santoku” means “Three Virtues”. Exactly which three virtues it is referring to is unclear, but I am fascinated by the idea of a single word with such a rich, if ambiguous, meaning. I have several kitchen knives that goes by this name, and within the scope of knives the three virtues are generally accepted to mean fish, meat, and vegetables. But if I know anything about Japanese culture, then two things are certain: that the three virtues in question depend on the application, and that I know absolutely nothing about Japanese culture.
In Cycling, we also have three virtues. These are the Mind, the Body, and the Machine.
The Mind.
The mind is the heart of the organism. It is what drives the body towards fitness and strength. It is what drives us to find the limits of our will, our body, and the machine as a cohesive unit. It is our conduit into The V; just as the body, it must be trained and disciplined. Without the mind, the body lays at rest and the machine leans gathering dust against the wall. It is, however, susceptible to doubt. Doubt is an insipid thing that creeps through our veins and burroughs in at that little point at the base of our skull where it meets the neck. It tickles at our nerves and whispers in our ear to undermine the strength of the body.
The Body.
The body is the engine of the organism. Through the disciplined practice of training and learning to ignore the natural impulse to yield to both pain and common sense, it becomes strong. We break our muscles down so they rebuild themselves again, a bit more robustly. Over time, it becomes a tool. An instrument of intimidation. A weapon even. The body serves at the pleasure of the mind; a strong mind can draw unexpected performances from the body. A strong body can bolster the morale and encourage the mind to draw more from it, but it can only exhibit an influence; the body is never in control of the mind.
The Machine.
Who hasn’t laughed at the redneck wearing a “Guns don’t kill people, People kill people” t-shirt? While I commend the author’s ability to assign responsibility, guns definitely make the job a lot easier. It is the same with the bicycle; the bike is not what makes a rider fast, but a good one makes it a lot easier. The bicycle is almost a sentient being, we often show more affection and concern for the state of the machine than that of our own bodies. But the machine also exerts a huge amount of influence over the the entire system; a bicycle in perfect working order serves to inspire the Mind to find the limits of the body. A failing machine – or even a creaking pedal or squeaking chain – will send the mind into a descending feedback loop of morale which ends, most often, in a Millarcopter.
To achieve our potential as Cyclists, we must respect our Santoku: the mind, the body, and the machine. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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Looking again at the prophet's photo, then the current tour reveals just how shockingly awful Froome's bib length, style, position on the bike, stem staring, (add whatever other transgressions) can be.
My form is not what it could be right now, but I recently received a replacement fork for my steel custom. I installed it and tuned up the bike; first ride back on it was this morning. I took great enjoyment in its silent and flawless performance.
@Mikael Liddy
Stop watching Mr. Michelle Cound ride around France. Every time I watch him on the bike it puts me off riding. Fuck that.
@Ccos
Fueled by Chocolate in the Bidon?
@Ccos
Fashion changes, good taste is a constant.
@oldensteel
@Oli
Never noticed that before either, but The Google found me a few other examples, all '68 or earlier, maybe early '69.
@frank
Okay, disclaimer first. I haven't put in shit for miles/kilometers in the last year.
With that said, an active rider having a noise for nine months is bad, really bad. Having that noise be the chain?
Okay, I'm gonna say it. ... You're not riding enough to wear out a chain in 5 or 6 months? Shame on you!
Now, excuse me while I go and change the TV channel. ...
I really enjoy picking out the subtle differences in these photos (and applying reverence of course). I've worked on many different types of machines, some wheeled, some not, and with anything mechanical or scientific, you're always looking for the slight differences that influence the whole (ie: Merckx being maniacal about his position). However, with a rider like Merckx, the brakes seemed merely a decoration anyway.
@oldensteel
I think most here can agree this is important historical research. At least that's how I justified my decreased productivity today. The Prophet was fanatical about his equipment, so this was no accident, nor a team mechanic setting it up wrong. I found a number of photos from '66–'68 with him using right-front, but mostly with right-rear. A couple that could be '69, but not definitively, and nothing later. But why?
PR '68, speaking of reverence:
How freaky! I wonder if there's anything about it in my new copy of 525? I shall investigate further...perhaps I'll ask him next time we are chatting.
Like that happens...
@Mikael Liddy
When I'm low on motivation I reach for Le Métier, guaranteed to make me want to ride my bike. If you haven't read it Mikael, check out @steampunks superb review