Categories: La Vie VelominatusTradition

La Vie Velominatus: The VVorkshop

If the road is the cathedral where we go to worship at the altar of Merckx then the workshop must surely be the rectory. The workshop of the Velominatus is semi-sacred space where one goes primarily to sharpen one’s tool of worship. In so doing, the workshop also provides a space in which to meditate on the machine, make repairs from rides gone by, and prepare for rides to come. The workshop may not be the space where we engage in our most revelatory work, however, the work we do there both before and after each ride is no less important than the work we do in between.

Though we have no Rules governing the workshop, I suggest the following is what constitutes good workshops:

One’s workshop must be well provisioned. Like any suitable place intended for rejuvenation, the workshop should be well stocked with items such as spare tubes, a few tires (even if they’ve been retired but could still be used in a pinch), extra cable and housing, cleaning supplies, lubricants, and greases.
The workshop should be kept organized. Each tool has its place and once used should be returned to that place after it has been used and cleaned. There’s no greater satisfaction than knowing exactly where your chain whip is, for example, and being able to find it in that spot in clean, ready-to-use condition.
The workshop should be able to be well lit. You try getting that perfect bar tape wrap in a dimly lit dungeon.
The workshop must be well equipped. You are only as good at maintenance as your tools. And for Merckx-sake, invest in a shop stand.

Old parts are worth keeping. Mind you, you should know their history and discard them if they’re unsafe. But you never know if you’ll want to use that old saddle, stem, or frame again. Having a box or two of miscellany around goes a long way toward piecing together that next Rule #12 acquisition. And when you find yourself in the role of Cycling Sensei, those old parts could take on a whole new life and meaning for your Pedalwan.

Beyond these basic guidelines there are other considerations one can make in order to give their workshop an even more shrine-like aura. Your workshop or workspace might include some or all of the following:

Cycling accouterments from by-gone era. Anything from that classic LeMan poster to old PDM jersey hanging on the wall that ties your space to our sport’s traditions and history is just plain cool in your workshop.
Audio-visual gear. Put a radio, iPod, or T.V. (for watching classic cycling videos only) in your workshop.
The hallowed bike. Maybe you’ve still got the retired steel Raleigh on which you reached your first podium, perhaps you own a Team 7/11 Huffy, or still have that randonneur whip from college with 20,000k of stories from one year on it to tell. In any case, if you’ve got a steed with panache, give it a worthy space in your shop.
Old couches and recliners are well worth it if you have the space. If you can create a clubhouse atmosphere in your workshop so that when your mates are over they can chill on that old flower-patterned couch or Naugahyde Lazy-Boy you’re doing a community service. Add to that a fridge for some cold malted beverage and you could start charging a cover.

Similar to our varied bikes and certainly to the vastly different places we all profess our devotion, our workshops are no doubt reflections of our own uniqueness as cyclists. That said, just as the Rules bind us, the spaces we retreat to in order to sharpen our tools should also provide us with a modicum of comfort in the familiar. In other words, I may not know my way around your kitchen straight away but if it’s a well appointed kitchen it shouldn’t take me long to learn my way around and start making good food. Take a minute to share what you appreciate about your workshop (or workspace if it serves secondarily as a living room or kitchen). Additionally, maybe you can share a workshop tale. For the workshop should not be overlooked as an integral room of the church in which we pray.

Marko

Marko lives and rides in the upper midwest of the States, Minnesota specifically. "Cycling territory" and "the midwest" don't usually end up in the same sentence unless the conversation turns to the roots of LeMond, Hampsten, Heiden and Ochowitz. While the pavé and bergs of Flanders are his preferred places to ride, you can usually find him harvesting gravel along forest and farm roads. He owes a lot to Cycling and his greatest contribution to cycling may forever be coining the term Rainbow Turd.

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View Comments

Marko says:

Nov 28 2011 at 12:06 am

@ClassicCyclist
You seem charming. Stick around a while.
mblume says:

Nov 28 2011 at 1:01 am

I have clearly not created a rectory anywhere close to the level of Marco. In the spirit of today's multinational corporations I have outsourced almost all maintenance activity to my local bike shop. Considering my LBS has Jedi level bike repair skills (a bike mechanic is an accredited profession in Switzerland - requiring significant formal training) I am usually happy to take my bike to the store where I know it will be running silently and in compliance with the Rules. However, I have to admit I wish I was part of this secret society who cleverly can repair/install every part of their steeds.
Joe says:

Nov 28 2011 at 1:24 am

Nice...I have workshop envy. The kitchen makes do as my current rectory, with the bath thrown in for cleaning duties.

@Marko - if I could add one thing to your set up, it would a kettle and some depply teastained mugs. No workshop in the UK, at least, is complete without mugs that will make up at least one cuppa just on residuals.
Bintang says:

Nov 28 2011 at 1:37 am

And for Merckx-sake, invest in a shop stand.

Any recommendations for a good shop stand?
ChrisO says:

Nov 28 2011 at 1:39 am

@ClassicCyclist

Riding brevets since 1984. Surely the controls must be closed by now, or that's one hell of a Permanent.

I assure you Whip is a very common term for bike... in the outside world.
il ciclista medio says:

Nov 28 2011 at 1:47 am

All too true Marko.

We finally moved into a house a couple of years ago that has a workshop/storeroom. Though the bikes and associated bits have slowly taken over the space. My VMH realised a long time ago that I needed this type of space and graciously suggested that I was to call it my own. To this day she hesitates before entering. I'm not sure if she doesn't want to catch me watching more bike porn, showing respect or scared I'll be asking her to hold something for a minute. Either way, the luxury of having ones own workspace to lavish attention on the stable within...my own little velo nirvana. Another reason to love her.

I've also put a PC in there as well. Something to watch or listen to when I'm on the trainer, net access when I need a quick cycling related reference or a Velominati fix.

and Marko, that space is so neat! Even the bidons are lined up in an aesthetically pleasing manner! Is it always so or tidied up for the shot?
Chris says:

Nov 28 2011 at 1:54 am

@Marko @Oli

Great workshops guys. The cleanliness is inspiring.

I've got a decent size double garage that I've gradually equipped over the last few years, good shelving, a nice solid workbench running the full width at the back, decent size beer fridge and a Guinness surger. Half of if is taken up with the trailer we use for transporting all the bikes around on which leaves the other half free for work-stands or the rollers. Left to my own devices, I'd keep it pretty shipshape but it is always getting used as a dumping ground by the rest of the family. When that happens I tend to let standards slide to the point that I end up losing a weekend every now and then as I return it to it's former glory.

The onset of winter and my wife travelling a lot with work probably doesn't help, the roller sessions are taking place in the kitchen. Maybe if I move the work-stand into the living room and degrease some chains in her best china, she might stop dumping crap in my space.
Dr C says:

Nov 28 2011 at 3:21 am

Wrenchbone
Dr C says:

Nov 28 2011 at 3:37 am

@Chris

@Marko @Oli
I've got a decent size double garage that I've gradually equipped over the last few years, good shelving, a nice solid workbench running the full width at the back, decent size beer fridge and a Guinness surger. Half of if is taken up with the trailer we use for transporting all the bikes around on which leaves the other half free for work-stands or the rollers. Left to my own devices, I'd keep it pretty shipshape but it is always getting used as a dumping ground by the rest of the family. When that happens I tend to let standards slide to the point that I end up losing a weekend every now and then as I return it to it's former glory.
The onset of winter and my wife travelling a lot with work probably doesn't help, the roller sessions are taking place in the kitchen. Maybe if I move the work-stand into the living room and degrease some chains in her best china, she might stop dumping crap in my space.

this is very much the biography of a modern sporting husband - you are not alone my friend - I shall post a photo of my current state of garagital carnage later - I guarantee you will empathise/ vomit
ps. ever admiring of your ability to prioritise (in bold above) @Chris, clearly a servant at the altar of liqor
Chris says:

Nov 28 2011 at 4:21 am

@Dr C

@Chris

@Marko @Oli
I've got a decent size double garage that I've gradually equipped over the last few years, good shelving, a nice solid workbench running the full width at the back, decent size beer fridge and a Guinness surger. Half of if is taken up with the trailer we use for transporting all the bikes around on which leaves the other half free for work-stands or the rollers. Left to my own devices, I'd keep it pretty shipshape but it is always getting used as a dumping ground by the rest of the family. When that happens I tend to let standards slide to the point that I end up losing a weekend every now and then as I return it to it's former glory.
The onset of winter and my wife travelling a lot with work probably doesn't help, the roller sessions are taking place in the kitchen. Maybe if I move the work-stand into the living room and degrease some chains in her best china, she might stop dumping crap in my space.

this is very much the biography of a modern sporting husband - you are not alone my friend - I shall post a photo of my current state of garagital carnage later - I guarantee you will empathise/ vomit
ps. ever admiring of your ability to prioritise (in bold above) @Chris, clearly a servant at the altar of liqor

Recent worship at that particular altar is coming back to bite me on the rse this evening. It was Mrs Chris' birthday (the unmentionable big one that has recently or will soon afflict those of us born in the early seventies) on Friday. The festivities started on Thursday and ran into the small hours of Sunday. I've found that as I get older, my tolerance of cheap booze is much reduced as is my ability to process my intake. The intake of Good Big Reds will not be completely recycled by the time I get into the descending intervals on the rollers tonight. It is not helped by my having a friend whose stated intention is to destroy me with sambucca.