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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Way to go, Big Fellow Frank! That's awesome. In the middle of winter to have to put up with a time change, a climate change...and 10,000 feet of climbing, just finishing is very impressive. Lift the V-chalice!
@ G'phant. Yeah, I've steered very clear of twatter. Would have used it for this if I'd been around. Yep, I agree - only something as significant as our Founder doing this ride would make me go near that thing.
@ Rob. What movie? I was dragged to the King's Speech last week and was bored for, oh, just about all of it. Not my type of movie.
Nice going, Steampunk.
I just got from a Sunday morning ride. Visiting the (future) in-laws and was able to find a local ride. A lot of these people ride often and a lot of them do this particular ride weekly. Somehow, which I can't figure out, they have absolutely no clue how to work in a paceline. It's fucking bizarre. One guy sits up front for ten, fifteen, twenty minutes, then someone finally pulls up on the left and starts sprinting ahead, breaking up the group. Huh? It's not that hard. I'm baffled by it. Done it twice now and there is absolutely no working together. Weird.
And bugger, can't recall the last time I've been sick but feel week, have the chills, and feverish and I leave for Prague on Tuesday. Maybe it's just the in-laws making me feel this way.
Happy Sunday all!
Good work, Frank!!
Nice work, Steampunk!
9 Bidons and 5 packs of power blocks did nothing to stop me from bonking at about 7500 feet. The last half of the climb was a march towards imminent disaster; somewhat what I imagine doing the Hour Record is like. I was on a good time towards the bottom. By 20k to go, I wasn't thinking about time and just trying to get up. Suffice it to say the Volcano takes this one.
Thanks to everyone in the community for turning this into a sadistic suffer fest rather than a nice Saturday afternoon ride up a hill. Everyone's support is appreciated.
Gianni and my VMH apologize for the stop in Twitter updates when the signal died. There's only so much "hope" can do in terms of cell reception.
Full account coming, but here's a teaser.
DS Gianni:
Frank in agony at the summit:
Official final time: 4:27.47. Bearing in mind I felt good for about 27 minutes of that effort. The first 27 minutes.
Wow, both of those photos are great; the second one is superb. Damn, those last 20 kms sound brutal. Good on ya, Frank!
Looking forward to the video.
@frank
Wow, Frank, that image is an inspiration.
particularly if those stains on your shoulder are due to Rule V-related brain melt dripping from your ears.
@Ron
Flu? Infectiousness is a good way to get a break from the in-laws. As is going to Prague, for that matter.
@frank
Way to represent, Frank! Beautiful ride and effort.
Kickass, Frank. You certainly deserve a cold local brew on the beach for sure. I can't wait to read the whole account and see the video. Riding up Haliakala is a future goal of mine, as I've driven it before, but I'm several years off from peaking at this point...
I think I'm going to have to start a savings fund so I can get to Hawaii to do this climb in the next couple years. The twitching in my legs reading all this is a sure sign it has to happen.
What's going on in that photo? Did you pull a heart muscle, or are the wasps rebelling inside your lungs?
Nice work young lad, the V-dribble on your shoulder is testament to your effort.
Frank, Frank, Frank...You frigging did it and now go have a vacation! Or do you have to get on a plane and go to work tomorrow in true Hardman style?? I hope not, you deserve big bucks and podium girls (Michelle and Beth?)! What of Gianni - that look is either you did not break the 4 barrier or he did not get enough liquid replacement himself?
Thank you for making the weekend totally riveting - hehe - You are our hero and have laid down the V for the future attempts by Velominatus on the Volcano.