La Vie Velominatus: Flemish Tan Lines
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.
@IcemanYVR
Is a Rein bike a LOOK 695 in Cofidis colors?
@Buck Rogers
She must have needed someone to help her get the kit off without disturbing the tan lines. Where’s the sign up list?
@Nate
Yeah, must have been awwwful to have to carefully peel her out of her kit like that.
I have already signed up for the next ten times, so get in line.
@Buck Rogers
Hey, I’ve got an idea: post a picture you think is going to land you in the penalty box, and then KEEP FUCKING QUOTING THE WHOLE THING. OVER AND OVER.
That said, they are indeed great FTLs.
@minion
fixed your post
@Buck Rogers
I might add, that this can’t be the only angle that was shot. There’s a photographer somewhere with some great shots on his hard drive. (In my best Beavis voice :hehe, hehehe, You said “shots” hehe, “hard drive” hehe hehe).
@frank
Nice, but in this case @Buck Rogers is nicer……….
@all:
Buck Rogers post is of a chicka, right?
@itburns
Nicely done. Nicely done.
@scaler911
I sure hope so. Let’s review the evidence again, shall we?
I dunno, those could be a set of moobs he/she is hiding behind the arms.
@mcsqueak
Son, u been in the pnw a bit too long.
@Nate
Hard to say…. This might take a while.
ok this is not sexy like the girl with the paint on mud, but here in Belgium this is what a Flandrian in training looks like after a road ride ion November
@Beers Approx 1200mm (avg annual) in the TN/KY region where I ride. Nov-Jan appear to get ~90mm avg monthly precip. Have a beautiful day going on outside right now. I am heading out for a couple hrs and looking to go over the top on my 2000 miles (3225km) for the year.
As previously advertised, it was an awesome day to ride in the Cumberland Mtns. Saw way too many people getting their X-mas lights up on their double-wides and inflatable Santa’s out in the yard w/the hounds and sporting chickens. Not me though. The temp was 22.38C, and perfect for 94.61km & 744m total climbing over 3hrs 45min. It was enough to go OTT on my year-end goal. To be honest and forthcoming, that total includes a couple pancake rides on the greenway, a few MTB rides, and some CX training. So, I’m still short by a little less than 500km for some true Rule #5, laying down the V, riding. Still have a few weeks left to throw it down, but it is clear I will need to make a real plan next year to increase the time/distance in the saddle. This year’s numbers just sort of developed w/ a little bit of half-assed comittment, but I’m still feeling warm and fuzzy anyway.
Flemish face tan. Who is it?
Don’t know if anyone has posted this elsewhere yet:
EPMS positive, outrageous MTB rear mudguard present, facial hair replete. I present WinterWiggo for your viewing pleasure. I’m happy to say that I ride in the the same area as him and my Sunday club runs visit the same cafe as he does (see this months Cycling Plus – I’ve never seen him in there) so I’m in full agreement with the need for a mudguard but surely Team Sky can splash out on something a) more subtle and b) more effective!
Great to see him back on his bike despite his recent injuries.
@heinous
He looks hella fat.
@sthilzy
No idea but she has great eyes and looks awesomely hardcore!
@frank
They must have reinflated him post tdf. It looks like he put on 30lbs, looks like a normal guy befitting the epms (but not the mtb fender doo-hickey).
@Buck Rogers
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/sabrina-stultiens
Google-fu.
@DerHoggz Shit I like her better all mucky, she looks about 12 years old when cleaned up and much of my appreciation vanished instantly!
@Deakus
From what I read she is 19.
@heinous
I also note that he hasn’t burned the toe strip on his Bonts – maybe he has man who cooks his shoes for him
@Deakus
No kidding! Damn, you know you are getting old when 19 year olds start looking like they’re twelve. I walked around here on campus and everyone looks like they should be in junior high, not college!
Genuine Flemish Tan Lines…..
boonen. mt. baldy, tour of california, 2012.
Source: emilymaye.com
hey guys,
i would never – ever – install a silly mudguard like wiggo’s but have been looking at this
any one here knows about them??
they say that, being dutch, they know about rain, and i tend to believe it.
@xced May as well attach that cutout mud guard to one of these.
@xced
The Jockinese know all about rain, but mudguards on ya road bike is still a Minus.
@xced and @strathlubnaig
The point of the Fendor-Bendor is that it is an effective fender that is only there when needed. The rest of the time you can carry it along in your (saddle)bag or jersey pocket. It makes quite a difference on those fall rides if you can keep your chamois dry, with something that you can take with you but can forget about while cycling…. until it starts raining.
@WIT
“in your saddle bag” …. the admission of EPMS usage is in contravention of the masterbation principle!
@Deakus
its made me so blind I can’t even spell it now! masturbation principle
turns out the fendorbendor wouldn’t work on my bike anyway so I got an ass-saver. it does what it says. http://ass-savers.com/
Debut of the new steed yesterday…