Although we find our way to the bicycle by different path, we all share the fact that at some point, this simple and elegant machine captured our imaginations. It became something more than simply a means to travel about, get exercise, or compete – it became something central to our lives.
Somehow and by different means, La Volupte seduced each of us. We became hypnotized by the rhythm of the cyclist’s life, by the movement of the machine. There might have been a moment where the machine which once hardly obeyed our commands suddenly surrendered to our every desire; we only needed to push upon the pedals a bit harder in order to coax more speed from the machine.
Then we made a fundamental discovery: the pleasure to be found from pushing ourselves beyond our limits. The simplicity found in the singular focus when all ancillary thought is shut down as we steel our mind against the strain of the effort. In truth, the pleasure comes less from the suffering but from the knowledge that we overcame the impulse to relent. We join a minority who, in a small way, triumph over our very nature.
With this discovery comes a kind of Stockholm Syndrome as we fall in love with everything bicycle-related – from the beauty of the machine itself to every bit of history and culture that surrounds it. We have transformed into a Velominatus.
As we mature as cyclists, we turn our focus towards improvement of the Craft: we crave a more Magnificent Stroke, to become stronger, to go Steady Up with More Speed. As the hardships of our sport become a constant companion, their novelty is diminished. The novelty of pushing ourselves fades; it becomes a routine component of our Work to become better cyclists.
Throughout, the cycle gains momentum. Every year, we become faster, stronger, harder. We might even forget why we love the sport as we lose ourselves in our quest for improvement. Thresholds, speeds, distances, wattage, elevation; these metrics replace the beautiful simplicity of La Vie Velominatus, which is fundamentally about the love of the bike and cycling at large.
But every cycle has its peaks and valleys and with each Summer spent narrowing the two-month gap to finding peak form, those of us who know how to train properly will fill our Winters building our base condition with longer, low intensity rides which throw us back to those basic sensations that drew us into the sport originally: the smell of the air, the sound of our tires as they flirt with the pavement or earth, the rhythmic breathing, the freedom of riding a bicycle.
Each Fall, as the skies grey and the rain begins to fall, I’m struck by my sudden rediscovery of the original reasons I love cycling. With my season’s goals many months away, the micromanagement of my condition and performance gives way once more to the pleasure of the ride. If I feel strong (which rarely happens during this time of year) and the desire to push myself shows itself, I may do it. If not, I don’t. It doesn’t matter at that time of year – just spending time on the machine is more than enough to pay dividends when the days grow longer and the sun returns to the sky. Rain, shine, cold, warm – I hardly notice the difference as I am once more reminded of the reasons why I love to ride my bike.
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This is what happens @ the office when I yank my car of the roof when it rains.
PS - I know, the saddlebag violation...
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Arggh! Given gravity's fatal effect on my cycling, how could I have left that out?
Just to level the playing field for everyone, the gravitational constant G (elucidated by Cavendish!) is 6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2.
and "centipedes", in metric, are "trentimetres".
@Rob
Centipedes?
Yes Centipedes, Steampunk??
@3cross
Good call.
@Buck Rogers
We try - thanks.
@xyxax
Ah-um yes and very useful I'm sure...
@ALL, not counting 3:35, 4:42, 4:45 and 5:01 there are 5 grouped around 3:51 - 3:57. The next grouping of 6 go from 4:06 - 4:25.
I have no idea what this means but get your guesses in!
Frank's Time Up the Big One
1) Rob - 3:51.25
2) Jeff in PetroMetro-3:35:35
3) Steampunk - 4:27.18
4) G'phant - 4:14.9
5) Marko - 4:06.46
6) xyxax - 3:52.12
7) Chris - 4:12.37
8) Nate - 3:59:45
9) Geoffrey "” 5:01:01
10) sgt - 4:42:36
11) Collin - 4:17.29
12) mcsqueak - 4:45:01
13) JFT - 3:58:30
14) Buck Rogers - 4:25.36
15) 3cross - 3:57:13
@Rob
I am as stoked about Frank vs. The Volcano as I am about Milan San Remo! Hurry up, Frank!
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Jeff, I am so with you on this. I have to admit that the TDU has just not grabbed me - for no better reason than it is just wrong, wrong, wrong to be watching bike racing at this time of year... and I know that makes no sense because it is a great race with some good hardman stuff going on. But I am a northern hemisphere body, the toilet swirls in the right direction and the light is only just coming back, the snow is high the temps low and I am out on skis more than I am on the bike (don't get me started on spinning).
If I had a velodrome nearby with a Six Day I'd be there in a flash but that is indoors with lots of beer.
In a funny way Franks challenge is just the right combination of winter entertainment as you could wish for! And your right Milan San Remo is only sixish weeks away but it can't come soon enough.
An oh yes "Frank Vs. The Volcano"
A++1
Every one Last chance today for times, copy and paste...
"Frank Vs. The Volcano"
1) Rob - 3:51.25
2) Jeff in PetroMetro-3:35:35
3) Steampunk - 4:27.18
4) G'phant - 4:14.9
5) Marko - 4:06.46
6) xyxax - 3:52.12
7) Chris - 4:12.37
8) Nate - 3:59:45
9) Geoffrey "” 5:01:01
10) sgt - 4:42:36
11) Collin - 4:17.29
12) mcsqueak - 4:45:01
13) JFT - 3:58:30
14) Buck Rogers - 4:25.36
15) 3cross - 3:57:13
@all
The guns feel good; been on several rides here and I'm in danger of snapping my crank arms off. Which I can't explain because I'm several months from peaking. Planning to stay well hydrated today, load up tonight, and start the climb around 8am.
She is a sleeping giant, a massive lump of rock. I can sense her everywhere I go, much like Obi-wan sensed the destruction of Alderan and Vader sensed his old master on the Death Star. The volcano is dormant, but it is a place strong with the v. The path lies before me, and I am prepared to take the first step.
A-Merckx, thanks for the support, and may the v be with you all.
@Rob
So, is Velonews or cyclingforums going to be carrying a live update tomorrow?
@Buck Rogers
Gianni ought to be twitting from the team car.
@frank
Just don't go all Lord of the Rings, throwing your bike into the volcano at the end.