Categories: Defining MomentsEvanescent RidersExportNostalgiaTradition

Something Beautiful

Despite the proclivity towards being all-knowing that comes as a consequence of my being Dutch, the most beautiful things in life are discoveries that come as a result of not knowing. We are quick to answer but slow to think; the easy solution lies at our fingertips while the true mystery lurks just beyond, ready to reveal her secrets if only we are willing to venture into the unknown. Beauty is found in the journey, not the destination.

As Cyclists, we start our journey with the simple joy of pedalling a bicycle and escaping the clumsy limitations of bipedal locomotion – walking quickly loses its luster when you can pedal a bike instead. First we pedal to explore the limits of our range, then the limits of our speed. Finally, we pedal to explore the limits within ourselves as speed and range are tested together.

When we free ourselves from the confines of our local and familiar roads and point the bicycle towards parts unknown, we rediscover the childish beauty of exploration that came when we first started riding a bike. Not knowing what lies around the next bend is a mysterious sort of riding completely different from the regimented training we have become accustomed to. The familiar pressure will be there in our heart, lungs, and legs, but with it will come an element of nervous excitement at the anticipating the unknown. Whether we encounter a dead end or a gravel road; none of it matters in the scope of discovery.

One of the amazing things about a competent rider aboard a bicycle is how much distance can be covered in a day. After 8, 10, or 12 hours away, we can look at a globe and see the stretch of land we covered. The mind will be tired from the effort from having pushed the body and wondering about what will be coming next. The body will be empty, the lungs will have that familiar tension from supplying oxygen-starved muscles with fuel. The look in the rider’s eye will be one of the exhilaration that only comes as a result of total exhaustion.

We need this sort of emptiness in order to feel fulfilled. There is something beautiful to be discovered when we push into the unknown.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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Buck Rogers says:

May 8 2014 at 7:28 am

@frank

@the Engine

@Harminator

@the Engine

Love those long rides where you look at them on the app and you can see the whole island...

My island must be bigger than your island.

Or my rides are longer than your rides

I thought Scotland was a Yard, not an island?

I heard it was just part of England.
Buck Rogers says:

May 8 2014 at 7:34 am

@frank

@Buck Rogers

Longest ride on tap for me today in over a year. I will indeed being clearing my mind before I am done.

Also, LOVING that lead photo.

Don't you live in Cycling Heaven?

FUCK it is Hilly around here! I am much too weak. I ended up only riding a tad over 86 k's but had over 1100 meters of climbing with multiple grades of 15 to 20%. Rode most of the West Point Cogal route with the dreaded Mountain Road all the way to the top. FUCKER of a hill. You know when a road around these mountainous parts is called "Mountain Road" that you're in for a good ride. But yes, I am weak, more hill repeats for me (and, BONUS, I have exquisite tan, make that burn, lines from riding 3 hours in the sun for the first time in too long as well)!
Rob says:

May 8 2014 at 9:00 am

@Buck Rogers

@frank

@Buck Rogers

Longest ride on tap for me today in over a year. I will indeed being clearing my mind before I am done.

Also, LOVING that lead photo.

Don't you live in Cycling Heaven?

FUCK it is Hilly around here! I am much too weak. I ended up only riding a tad over 86 k's but had over 1100 meters of climbing with multiple grades of 15 to 20%. Rode most of the West Point Cogal route with the dreaded Mountain Road all the way to the top. FUCKER of a hill. You know when a road around these mountainous parts is called "Mountain Road" that you're in for a good ride. But yes, I am weak, more hill repeats for me (and, BONUS, I have exquisite tan, make that burn, lines from riding 3 hours in the sun for the first time in too long as well)!

Just leaving W.Point from your house to the gate was intense and the Cogal was in the fall so as a spring training/pipe cleaner ride it is off the charts. Well done Buck, see you in a few months and you can laugh at my negative ability to climb. Seriously I am worried the hundred K ride last weekend had maybe 50 meters...
frank says:

May 8 2014 at 9:20 am

@Barracuda

@frank - correct, Im Australian, not smart. I cant do both.

Possibly the most compact and accurate statement I've heard about Australians. Thank you.
frank says:

May 8 2014 at 9:22 am

@Puffy

Arr I just long for the time when life was sufficiently unencumbered I could do an 8hr ride. That time has been, but will come again.

Priorities, my man. Or backroom deals with the family. Or say you're going to work, take the day off instead, and go ride?

@Coyotetree

This is my first post. I've been following you all for the last year almost as obsessively as I ride. I have learned so much from all of you. I am only a mere Pedalwan, even if I've been riding my whole life. This article compelled me to post. It is exactly how I feel and why I love to ride . Hammer meets nail right on the fucking head. THANK YOU VELOMINATI!!

Welcome mate! And always remember we are all Pedalwans, no matter how much we know there is always more to learn.
frank says:

May 8 2014 at 9:24 am

@Teocalli

@strathlubnaig

@frank

@the Engine

@Harminator

@the Engine

Love those long rides where you look at them on the app and you can see the whole island...

My island must be bigger than your island.

Or my rides are longer than your rides

I thought Scotland was a Yard, not an island?

Scotland is a landmass which had the misfortune of bumping into what is often called England eons ago. This is now called Scotlands Yard.

and depending on the upcoming vote we may have to dig out the canal and push it off again.

Its amazing that secession vote is allowed to go through. Last time that happened in the United States it started a war that The South thinks is still going on or, if not, will start up again sometime after they finish this Mint Julep.
frank says:

May 8 2014 at 9:25 am

@Buck Rogers

@frank

@Buck Rogers

Longest ride on tap for me today in over a year. I will indeed being clearing my mind before I am done.

Also, LOVING that lead photo.

Don't you live in Cycling Heaven?

FUCK it is Hilly around here! I am much too weak. I ended up only riding a tad over 86 k's but had over 1100 meters of climbing with multiple grades of 15 to 20%. Rode most of the West Point Cogal route with the dreaded Mountain Road all the way to the top. FUCKER of a hill. You know when a road around these mountainous parts is called "Mountain Road" that you're in for a good ride. But yes, I am weak, more hill repeats for me (and, BONUS, I have exquisite tan, make that burn, lines from riding 3 hours in the sun for the first time in too long as well)!

You should come to Seattle; my hilly route here is 1600m in just over 30km. Its called the Seattle Tre Chime.
Coyotetree says:

May 8 2014 at 9:54 am

@Teocalli

Thanks. Obsessive isn' the problem. Loved your guest article on competitive "recovery rides". Made me laugh out loud. That's me too.
Coyotetree says:

May 8 2014 at 9:59 am

@frank

Backroom deals with the family, ha ha. Cycling has caused me to make more of these than just about any other subject. If there is a backroom I'll deal, so long as I get to ride. Thanks for the welcome.

@Teocalli

Thanks. Obsessive isn' the problem. Loved your guest article on competitive "recovery rides". Made me laugh out loud. That's me too.
Buck Rogers says:

May 8 2014 at 12:00 pm

@frank

@Buck Rogers

@frank

@Buck Rogers

Longest ride on tap for me today in over a year. I will indeed being clearing my mind before I am done.

Also, LOVING that lead photo.

Don't you live in Cycling Heaven?

FUCK it is Hilly around here! I am much too weak. I ended up only riding a tad over 86 k's but had over 1100 meters of climbing with multiple grades of 15 to 20%. Rode most of the West Point Cogal route with the dreaded Mountain Road all the way to the top. FUCKER of a hill. You know when a road around these mountainous parts is called "Mountain Road" that you're in for a good ride. But yes, I am weak, more hill repeats for me (and, BONUS, I have exquisite tan, make that burn, lines from riding 3 hours in the sun for the first time in too long as well)!

You should come to Seattle; my hilly route here is 1600m in just over 30km. Its called the Seattle Tre Chime.

Jeeezhus! That's the trouble around here, someone always has one worse than me! I do, indeed, need to come out and ride your routes sometime!