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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What else, if not perseverance? If not action? I find it the case, as well, that the seduction of details can mar the totality of the experience, or that autonomic process can consume novel observation. Luckily, cycling, as you rightly write, lends itself to abolition of these painfully robotic forces. And for only the price of an inflamed perineum (!). Alas, what else, if not romantic? Would love your input on this.
That's a very good perspective, Starfanglednut. Great stuff.
@Starfanglednut
Nice. Looks like you've just started. Will have to add it to links and follow along. And welcome as well.
@Rob
I accidentally snorted my Maui Brewing Company IPA through my nose when I read that.
@all
Very kind words all, I appreciate it. Just got in to Maui yesterday, unpacked the bikes (which were completely unharmed) and went for our first heatstroke-inducing ride here. Gianni and his VMH are onto something, having moved here. The riding is incredible and if I lived here, I would not need to write these kinds of pieces - it's a good thing I got this puppy out the way on the plane before being introduced to Hawaiian January bliss. Fuck. No wonder Hope of a Nation lives here.
So, the preparation for doing the Dumbest Thing I'll Ever Do starts; planning it for towards the end of the ride, and not shooting for anything like what Ryder did in 2009 (start the video around 3:25 to see the climb)
Ryder Hesjedal :: Haleakala Record from Media One Multimedia on Vimeo.
And all this time I was wondering why you were going to Massachusetts in January for cycling!
If I had known that you would be hitting a 22% grade, I would have offered to yell at you as you attempted repeats of 4th Ave N. But you'll be riding that section at 3,000m of elevation! Rule V indeed.
Cheers Frank, today I rode for an hour and a half in NYC it was 15 F bright sunshine and dry roads but with snow and ice all about. Beautiful day and surprisingly, more than a few cycles out there. So no I am not jealous, really why should I be?
If you are really going to do this monster climb I think the Velominatus should do a pool - so I will start with a guess that you will do it in 3:51.25
If any one else wants to get in copy my name and time add yours and post it.
Frank's time up the big one
1) Rob - 3:51.25
I must assume he climbs well for his weight.
2) Jeff in PetroMetro--3:35:35
My faith in Frank's climbing got kicked in the behind on the Seattle climb, and this is hella long and hella big, and it's January, so I'm assuming he's at least a couple of months from peaking. Sorry, Frank, but I'm going with 4:27.18, which would still be better than my DNF. Don't inhale too many wasps (or Maui Brewing Co. IPAs). Best of luck!
My wife, reading over my shoulder: "You could do it, but you'd probably get an ear infection." (This is as close to positive encouragement as I've received in fifteen years of marriage). We honeymooned in Maui, and I got an ear infection going up or coming down ("in car," the missus insists on my adding)...
1) Rob - 3:51.25
2) Jeff in PetroMetro-3:35:35
3) Steampunk - 4:27.18
4) G'phant - 4:14.9