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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Franks 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
It's a hell of a tough slog above the 9000ft (that's American for 2743m) sign...
Good call Nate but he is staying with Gianni who is addicted to fine brews and allergic to big climbs so Frank may think he can break 4:00 but by himself with Gianni in the team car making him laugh so hard he has to stop and relieve himself I am not so sure...
Franks 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 - ?
8) Nate - 3:59:45
Got it Chris - Thanks
Franks 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
Its very quiet in the Pacific and I think they are up by now? Probably doing very heavy liquid training... it would be nice if the man would pony up with a self prediction!?!
Right now we have a very conservative 1 hour spread from the group - I really do not know how this is going to turn out but I love the idea that:
1) Frank may be feeling the pressure.
2) He may go blind at 8,000 feet
3) He will finish in an astonishing sub 3:30 and never ever ride a bike again.
I predict a strong headwind, heavy rain, and that Gianni will distract him by dancing in a hula skirt with 10km to go.
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
@Rob
but thanks, I am dumber for it really. Beating myself up for the balance of the day for NOT riding is far more torture than enduring a few hours on. I must say, all plugs aside, the new Voler roubaix thermal kit, we got for the team orders is the stuff.
@Steampunk
You are 1/2 right not the little 16"fixie but the very cool Dahon 20" Helois-xl they only made in 2005. I was in for the day on the train. So this bike is actually lighter and has gears so it is more embarrassing. In my defense this guy was fit I usually can stick to pretty much any wheel in Central Park, not boasting just saying...
Thanks for the kind words I no way deserve it. Its nice to be back.
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
@Rob
Based on my little knowledge of emergency room jargon, here is what I know about the tattoo-to-tooth ratio (TTR).
The TTR is expressed in two ways. 1. As a ratio. 2. As a numeric value.
The ratio is tattoo:tooth. Example--"His TTR is 48:8." This means the patient has 48 tattoos and eight teeth. TTR as a ratio is good information for statisticians and economists. It's accurate and detailed. However, it's of little value to medical professionals.
As for the numeric value, here's an example based on the above ratio: "His TTR is 6." ER staff prefer this use of the TTR. It's quick. There are no unnecessary details.
The TTR value of the above patient fairly accurately predicts his or her survivability. It is a direct correlation--the higher the TTR, the better the chance he/she/it will survive "whatever the hell happened this time." A person with a TTR of six or above is probably immune to multiple stab wounds and gunshots. They might exude the qualities of a tapeworm or cockroach.
Also, a high TTR is a good predictor of positive societal contribution (PSC). Here, we have an inverse correlation--the higher the TTR, the lower the PSC. For our above example, he/she/it might be a tow-truck stealing crack addict.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor am I a sociologist. And I didn't make this shit up. Google it. Seriously. I did.
My apologies to the following: people with high TTRs; tapeworms; cockroaches; and tow-truck stealing crack addicts. I mean no offense.