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.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
Frank's Time Up the Big One1) Rob - 3:51.252) Jeff in PetroMetro-3:35:353) Steampunk - 4:27.184) G'phant - 4:14.95) Marko - 4:06.466) xyxax - 3:52.127) Chris - 4:12.378) Nate - 3:59:459) Geoffrey "” 5:01:0110) sgt - 4:42:3611) Collin - 4:17.2912) mcsqueak - 4:45:01) buck rogers- 4:25.36
I, also, have never met him but it sounds like a hell of a ride! No matter what, he'll be bringing the "V" to Hawaii!
I like it... wish I could jump in on this one (the climb that is). I got your rubber rolling over the line at just under 4 hours.
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
Frank's fitness is usually inversely proportionate to his wasp inhalation abilities. He seems to maintain base fitness with peaks but is never that far off his game (he'd be more humble about this) but the dude will bury himself in effort. He's fiercely competitive and internally motivated for individual effort. He's a big fella though meaning he climbs well for his weight but his weight is on a big frame.
The current updated list... your numeric placing in the list will not influence the judging in the event of a DQ, DNF or an act of god (such as but not listing all possible events - Lightning, Tsunami, Volcano's etc.).
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
Collin, loved your logic. Mcsqueak and B.R. can any of us really say we know Frank - in the Fight Club sense of it??
JFT, I am so with you on this one - next year I say we all show up in tents in Gianni's back yard!
@Rob
@Marko
I've surmised it to be something about being closer to the equator, which is sort of like your warm weather theory. I think your theory is more accurate. I'm changing my theory to yours. Yep.
Marko--I sort of feel like a sensei, just 'cause you took the time to calculate your TTR.
I think if a person keeps his TTR under one, that's perfectly acceptable in this era of body art.
Before accident, injury, illness, and orthodontia, an adult should have 28 teeth, not including wisdom teeth (which makes 32). That gives a person a lot of leeway.
I'd probably need to get a ruling if a person loses teeth over time. Wait. No. I don't need a ruling on this one. If a person loses teeth but takes the time, spends the money, and contemplates the V in the dentist's chair to get replacement implants, there's no increase to the TTR, and there's no asterisk next to your name in the Hall of Shame.
BTW, I have 24 teeth, but I have no ink--yet. I really like Marko's V. But I think I'll buy all the V Gear before I get inked.
As for Frank's Death March, maybe I was too optimistic, but I still believe. Now hurry up Frank! This is the best race I've followed since the Tour of Lombardy! Why is this not being broadcast? This should be on steephill.tv. In Flemish.
I go away for a few fucking days and suddenly we have Gianni dancing in hula skirt, I'm fucking blind, I've stopped riding, and I'm obviously too fat to climb.
I won't weigh in on my prediction because I want to play things a little close to the chest. But here are some stats for all y'all to ponder.
1) The climb is tentatively scheduled for Saturday.
2) I am 6 foot V
3) Many months from peaking
4) Horrified by the centipedes that live here
5) Dirtied up my perfectly white socks yesterday on an incredible ride along the coast
6) Something got in my cleats and they are squeaking (this could lead to me going blind, deaf, and abandoning simultaneously)
7) We bought more beer on Saturday than we thought we could drink before we left. It is already gone
8) It will be windy
9) It will be cold
10) The mountain taunts be daily, sitting there like such a big fancy lump of rock, like that's something to be proud of
I think that's some good data. Lets think up a good prize (liking @Marko's suggestion) for the winner.
All right Frank! You are doing it and you are in intense Hawaiian training mode - I love it - This is going to be one great ride. I am tempted to start putting serious money on this with my bookie.
Ok I understand if you won't post up a prediction but I think it is only fair if the ladies and Gianni pony up because they are our eyes and ears and can feel the wind and if the Volcano is acting up.
Everyone else you have time to research and cogitate - lets say entries must be in by midnight on Friday or if you got really drunk but can get up by 6:00 am on Saturday that will work. So copy and paste your time onto the most recent list:
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
@all
Forgive me if you have already seen this; the Cycle to the Sun race route profile ishere.
The same site will give you age group times for recent races to aid in your handicapping.
Me, I'm sticking with my formula, but am considering adding in a factor accounting for the gravitational effects at altitude of large near-earth objects.
BTW, I am V foot 19.
Listen up ladies. I have a few bits of information to help guide you in your Frank time guesses. As Rob as mentioned, I don't climb well for my weight or anything else. My recent time up Haleakala was about 5:10. I go slow and I never go faster. He has already dropped me like a sack of nails out here when he fired off his blindingly white guns.
Frank is 34 years young. He has a huge motor. He has a bike Jens himself would be proud to throw a leg over. I believe he will kill himself to do a good time.
I am the support car with flip video so we will have a nice little movie out of this. I can't imagine why I will be doing any hula but during the annual race there is a fine group at 5280 feet dressed up as airline pilots and stewardesses who cheer you on as you go past the "mile high club" banner.
@Gianni
You have said nothing to make me want to change my time, unless you get Frank to stop all liquids then I might have to. The real question is can he break 4 hours and why you are being such a downer about the hula??
In all seriousness you guys should know that this is such a fantasy for us snow bunnies. I mean it is seriously cold here and there is more snow on the ground than has fallen altogether for the last 3 winters, plus more of a dumping coming tomorrow. So this awesome Frank effort really is making these long winter nights a little shorter.
OK enough sappy stuff back to biznus you need to commit, add your guess, he hee!
Every one else too.
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