The boys discussing #43.
I wonder if Rule #43 should be sublimated on our bibs too. It might be my most favorite Rule. Don’t be a jackass. But if you absolutely must be a jackass, be a funny jackass. Always remember, we’re all brothers and sisters on the road.
As a Keeper on the Velominati site, it irritates me that the Velominati are known mostly for The Rules. While we didn’t invent them nor were we the first to list them, our proselytizing has made us synonymous with The Rules. I would hate for us to be known as the exclusive Cyclists rather than the funny Cyclists.
Frank started this site to write about and discuss the beauty of cycling; The Rules were never part of the plan. If someone wants to start something Rules-wise with me, they better hand me the list because I don’t know them. I might possibly have been a more religious person if it all weren’t so deadly serious. And yes, my inability to take things seriously has been brought up too often, usually at annual performance reviews. But I grew up with the daily option of nuclear annihilation hanging over my head. Us kids all started to talk like French philosophers, at eight years old, smoking cigarettes and asking, mon dieu, what iz ze point of life, eh? Our local cub scout pack just fell apart after a few months… really, earning patches to sew on our uniforms? It made no sense to us young nihilists. Zere is no patch for digging an impromptu bomb shelter? Ahh, fuck it, let’s go out into the woods and smoke more cigarettes.
While I occasionally worry about The Rules smothering all other things Velominati, that worry is always quickly buried by the funny back and forth on the site. While some cycling sites are heavily moderated or troll filled, Velominati seems to thrive on the uncensored winding up. We realize arguing about riding one’s bike could make us all seem like jackasses, but at least we are funny jackasses. Long live Rule #43.
And to prove my point, if I had one… this.
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@wiscot
Glasgow! I have been trying to call there the last few days working on getting a wheelset built by Big Al! Bloody cell phone is giving me fits. Anyways, I spoke with Big Al yesterday and he is AWESOME. By far the best phone conversation I have had in ages. Very excited to have him put a set of wheels together for me. (As for why have them built in Scotland???--I will not have enough money to get them built until this late fall and I am moving to Europe this July so I went with a UK builder. I am planning on visiting @the engine in Glasgow this fall anyways so it will all go together like peas and carrots--although I fuckin hate carrots!)
@Buck Rogers
Hey, I'm likely taking a trip to Scotland this July/August. I think we should get together in Glasgow for some pre-ride recovery ales. I know a few good places and no doubt the Engine does too. Let's keep in touch.
@wiscot
Sounds good but we'll not be there until OCT/NOV timeframe! We do not even land in Germany until late July!
@Apex Nadir
Uhhh, not sure what you are talking, I simply prefer to not see someone's ass hanging out of their Sponge Bob pajama bottoms at the grocery.
My political platform is simple: I'd ban cell phones while driving at the Federal level & I'd enforce traffic laws like speed limits, lights on when raining, and using indicators when leaving parking spots, turning, and changing lanes.
@Buck Rogers
..... in Glasgow this fall anyways so it will all go together like peas and carrots–although I fuckin hate carrots!)
Up there more likely like Chips and Gravy if not Mars Bar and a Deep Fat Fryer.
Jackasses, funny or not, tend to shape the rules as they see fit and serve as a good example for the rest of us not to take our "cycling" lives, including rules, too seriously.
VLV
@Stephen
This is an awesome clip. Does anyone care about the rules? I do, to a point. I won't obey a rule that I deem silly.
Rules I, V, and X are important, perhaps, but in the big picture isn't it more important to simply enjoy riding your bike?
@Owen
Beautiful. Proof that it is the way to greatness:
But I thought there would be statistics to go with the Rules?
Elitist Jerks
Or is it the wrong game?