Clouds hang heavy in the sky, plump with a rain which contemplates the opportunity to hurl itself towards the Earth below. I get the sense that we wait for each other, the Rain and I; the rain relishes the opportunity to soak my clothes and skin, seeking to corrode my resolve while I cherish the opportunity to prove to myself that it will not be shaped by such things.
As a kid, I had an illustrated book of Aesop’s Fables. This time of year, I’m often reminded of one fable in particular, that of the Wind and the Sun. As the tale goes, the two are in the midst of an argument over which is the stronger when they spot a traveller on the road below. The Sun suggests that whichever of them can cause the traveller to take off his cloak will be declared the winner. The Wind blows and blows with all its might but the traveller only pulls his cloak closer. The Sun, on the other hand, beams with all its yellow glory, and the traveller soon finds it too hot for his cloak and discards it.
Aesop’s moral was that kindness is more effective than severity, but that sounds a lot like it would require introspection to really digest. Instead, I like to think of myself as the traveller and my resolve as the cloak; the worse the weather, the closer I pull it to me and the more determined I am to hold my course. In fact, this concept extends to any hardship in life; the greater the challenge, the stronger my determination.
So there we are, the Rain and I, waiting for each other; me with my cloak and the Rain with its severity. At this time of year, when the skies have turned grey but the chill hasn’t yet arrived to keep it company, I enjoy waiting for the rain to fall before embarking on my rides. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the questioning looks from the neighbors who descend from their homes in coats and hiding beneath their umbrellas for the journey from front door to automobile; they serve as further evidence that the public still has some distance yet to cover before understanding the Velominatus.
The rain pours down and in minutes soaks my clothes. Rain drops drip from the brim of my cycling cap; when I clench my fist, water steams from the fingers of my gloves. The roads are soaked; both the rain and traffic cast debris towards the gutters. My path crosses between the two and the grit and dirt afloat in the rain water are flung onto my machine and body.
When I return home from the ride, the evidence of my journey is carried in my clothing which is heavy with water and debris. Overshoes and knee warmers, once removed, reveal my Flemish Tan Lines via the clean skin beneath.
Perhaps Flanders is a place not defined by the borders between people, but between wool and flesh. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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Ok. Thats it. Its been said before but not this go round: fiken fenders dont look pro or fantastic. Some people find them functional. Ok?
@gaswepass Summed it up better than I could!
Seems to me that everyone is missing the fucking point here, as @frank rightly conceded thy're call mud guards. That's because they're for dealing with mud.
So what if riders have always used them in the UK, it's a generational thing born out of shit clothing and crap NHS eyewear. You wouldn't be seen dead riding around in the sort of crap they wore in the fifties in the UK so why persist with the technology?
If you look after your bike properly, the BB protection argument falls over, it should always be so clean that your other half can't find any reason for it not be in the house.
@frank Brilliant! Better than I expected. You called what I said "BS" which I could, but didn't, consider a personal attack, and I rebutted point by point. Please advise where I attacked you? I don't think in any way I'm "The Globally Accepted Standard of Reason", but I can't have got the memo where I was instructed not to disagree with you any more? No need to get the pip when all I was doing was giving back what I got...
And here's a newsflash, you're actually disagreeing with other parts of the Velominati community, not just Fred Who Rides a Bike and Neglects It. In my inimitable style I was trying to take your advice and add to it for those who are here and perhaps still learning. A bicycle isn't just a frame, so I think my points were valid. Sorry if you disagree, and sorry for daring to posit my opinion.
At the end of the day @gaswepass has summed it up perfectly - use them or don't use them, I really don't give a shit.
@Chris
If you look after your bike properly, the BB protection argument falls over, it should always be so clean that your other half can't find any reason for it not be in the house.
What, there are people out there who don't store their bike in the house?!?
My wife has to compete with the Wilier for her side of the bed....
@Adrian I know it sounds bizarre but there are people out there who wouldn't consider bringing their bikes into the house.
I can't imagine the hassle that would cause when it came to bike cleaning time, I'd have to round up all the things that I'd need, kids tooth brushes, wife's best pyrex dishes, her Wills and Kate souvenir tea towel and take them all outside.
@Chris
What you don't shower with your bike?
@Deakus If I had one of those fancy wet room shower set ups then I might well do but I've gotten in enough trouble for accidentally pulling the cubicle door off when slightly squiffy. Getting a bike wedged in there would probably get me and the bike relegated to the garage.
@Deakus
Or have to carry your wheels back outside to the bike after removing them from the dishwasher! The Horror!
@Adrian Do bike wheels actually fit in the dishwasher? You learn something new everyday.
Ever since reading this I've avoided sticking bike related stuff in the dishwasher. They're best kept cleaning dishes and small children.