Cleanliness is next to the velodrome
As far as Cycling and racing iconography goes, Paris-Roubaix sits at the very zenith. It’s the most revered race among fans not only because of the pavé and the punishment it hands out, but there’s also the traditional finish of the race in the old velodrome, and what are possibly the most photographed showers anywhere in the world. Outsiders could never understand the significance of a shower and its importance in relation to a bike race.
It may seem ridiculous to some, but any visit to Roubaix and the velodrome usually includes a wander over the road to the old shower block, and if you’re really lucky, a cleansing soak under the holy water. On our first Keepers Tour we were allowed into the building but a no bathing policy was in place that day. I think the caretaker just wanted to get us in and out so he could return home with the wine for his children. The second occasion we were granted permission and I’ve never seen a bunch of blokes more enthusiastic to get naked and wash themselves in front of each other. And photograph it. Unfortunately on our last visit we were unable to even get access to the block, and a more disappointed crew I’ve rarely witnessed. We were on a high from a brutal day on the stones in the rain, we were filthy, tired and hungry, and there would have been no more perfect a scenario for a soaking.
Being the reverent types of people we Cyclists are, we look for ways to pay homage to our heroes and the scenes of their battles. Maybe you’ll name your cats Fausto and Gino, or your dog Eddy, or your first daughter Roger. Perhaps you’ll own a replica bike that one of your idols once rode, or your walls may display photographs or posters of races and racers long gone, or erect a shrine. Possibly, you’ll dream big and plan a replica Roubaix shower for your own home.
I’m dreaming big, and making it a reality. Long has there been talk between myself and my good mate @rigid, who also happens to be an accomplished architect, of a Roubaix shower in either his or my home. With a new house build coming up for me, we’ve been looking at the ways to incorporate the classic concrete stall and hanging shower head/chain arrangement, just like the real thing. Every non-Cyclist I mention it to needs a ten-minute explanation and photo gallery session, with stunned disbelief and incredulity the most common reactions. I’d probably have the same response if someone told me they were re-creating the tanning bed from Donald Trump’s place, so it’s understandable I suppose.
But the rest of us freaks are more like “fuck yeah”. Another friend of mine who’s a bathroom guy just can’t get his head around it, and is reluctant to build it for me not because of any perceived difficulty, but because he just doesn’t get it. Which is the whole appeal, because we are different, and we celebrate it. We live on the edges of society, shunned by motorists, laughed at by other sports, and it’s just the way we like it. And if there is any bizarre way to honour our sport’s icons, we will find a way to do it, no matter what anyone thinks. I’ll be in the shower.
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View Comments
Do it! Do it now!
However, as a Brit, your beautiful comment: "We live on the edges of society, shunned by motorists, laughed at by other sports, and it’s just the way we like it. " saddened me. We used to be like that, but now every bloody middle manager and ex-golfist has bought carbon and lycra. There are more bike shops around these days, but I miss the exclusivity and we're still misunderstood because the newcomers just don't get it. Ho hum...
@Allegedly Anthony
eager to see results
@ErikdR
Not sure if I'll have the room for a stall as well, but we're working on it... the Shower will be upstairs adjacent to the workshop, so you can come in after a ride and jump straight in, while your mates take photos of you. Nothing weird about that.
@wiscot
Usually my glass is half full, so I got the positive jist with your first post! I also keep learning new words from this site every day...
@KogaLover
+1 (to both sentences)
@Allegedly Anthony
Hmmm - interesting comment. There may be more big chains selling bikes but the classification of Bike Shop could keep us going for weeks
@Allegedly Anthony
I wouldn't worry too much about it, it won't last.
Such is the the dichotomy of being a cyclist and a BMW owner who, at his very core, needs to shout at cyclists that the middle manager ex-golfist's self loathing will tear him apart.
@Sparty
My brother in law has a road bike and the lycra but as we were chatting about bikes he told me he'd never cleaned his road bike.
I threw up in my mouth.
@RobSandy
I completely agree - a dirty bicycle is just wrong.
Is it a sign of my indoctrination that, after arriving at work with my #1 after a slightly damp pre-work morning ride (sans backpack), rather than drink the water from my remaining half full bidon, I actually used it to shower my steed clean and then proceeded to towel her off with my arm warmer?
I mean, the bicycle is central to what we do, hallowed - you can't just leave it there, shackled to a bike rack, (indoor and very secure bike rack) dirty and unloved, can you? The very least you can do is to clean her up a little, in lieu of the actual clean up she will receive when arriving home that evening.
We are not barbarians, are we?