Velominati Community Profile Archive

Velominatus: Ron

Order: Black Order Velominatus

Turning the cranks, one day at a time.

@Ron's activity:

The Bike. It is the central tool in pursuit of our craft. A Velominatus meticulously maintains their bicycles and adorns them with the essential, yet minimal, accoutrement. The Rules specify the principles of good taste in configuration and setup of our machines, but within those principles lies almost infinite room for personal taste.It seems in s...

@Ron's posts:

  1. This might sound stupid but here goes… I’ve always tried to get my cycling shoes very, very snug. Perfect size, a bit thicker sock because I have very narrow feet, and I snug them down pretty tight. Then I got to thinking that maybe one reason I someti… »

  2. @sthilzy Did I hear someone say Tommasini? Ahem, I think I know someone who owns one of those… Mine has the crazy Columbus Multi-Shaped tubeset. It’s bonkers, round, oval, hexagonal. Really nuts, a cool bike to own and a real joy to ride. It’s my spe… »

The Theory of Special Relativity states that time for a moving object passes more quickly than for a stationary object. Einstein, in deriving this theory, demonstrated great insight and creative power for which he is considered perhaps the greatest mind in human history. If he had owned a set of rollers, however, he’d be considered a common...

@Ron's posts:

  1. Very nice, Frank & other fellers. Ha, one look at the lead photo and I thought to myself, “Frank looks scrunched up.” Frank, what frames do you have those photochromatic lenses in? Regular Radars or the new Radars with the PivLock job? I have some Ra… »

This photo is perhaps the greatest of all time; it shows The Prophet riding in the 1969 Ronde van Vlaanderen, kit and machine perfect. Rule #9 conditions in abundance. He’s gone off the front with some 80km left to race, which predictably sent his directeur into a rage. Ordered to return to the bunch, Merckx calmly suggested he go screw hi...

@Ron's posts:

  1. I’ve been reading “Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike” from William Fotheringham since I picked it up last week. Goddamn, the photos on the front and back are incredible as well, though this lead photo is beautiful too. I’ve been skipping around the book so far…. »

  2. No riding for me yesterday, as it was the 1-year anniversary of my wedding date. Oh, which happens to fall on June 17th. Mistake? Nice coincidence. We were in the Grayson Highlands, highest peak in VA. I shall return with a bike sometime soon to ride up t… »

I find it interesting to observe the chasm between parties engaged in a conversation, particularly in response to questions being asked. I’m thinking, at present, of the question, “How many bikes do you have?” My feelings in response are nothing short of complex and maybe a bit confused; reservation that I feel I should have a mo...

@Ron's posts:

  1. I was out doing some cross riding last night and got to thinking. I like the firm, sure click-in of my Force stuff, but sending the chain in when out of the saddle is not easy. I have strong hands, but my fingers aren’t that long. Maybe this is the reason… »

This week’s Guest Article comes from our friend, @blacktoolpower (l) and our editor Drummond Moir (r). In anticipation of our book’s imminent release, these two donned their lab coats and headed out to the streets of London to assess the state of Rule Compliance in the city’s commuter crowd. Always remember: leave this kind of ins...

@Ron's posts:

  1. And nice timing for this. I was out this morning on a ride, determined to climb the steepest local summit Pantani-style. Halfway up, as I turned one of the cutbacks (a minor cousin of a switchback), I approached a woman walking her bike up the hill. I sl… »

  2. Is that a LeMan cycle captured in the wild in London that I see? I live near a college campus and have to witness horrid bikes in baaaaad shape on a daily basis. Most will have a few thousand dollars in computers/music machines/phones/sunglasses on hand…. »

Our products represent the spirit of Velominati; every product we offer is made with the utmost attention to detail – no compromises were made in their selection or design. Whenever possible, our products are made my small, locally-owned businesses who share our passion for quality and we make every effort to ensure they are made in an enviro...

@Ron's posts:

  1. What model of Castelli bibs does youse like? And, can you get any in plain black? Seems like only their lower-end models are in black with just the scorpion badges. I have a few pairs of Assos Uno FI bibs and I have to say that I think I like my pair of … »

La Vie Velominatus isn’t a part-time gig. La Vie means the life, and The V is my life. Otherwise, I’d be Some V Velominatus, some of the time.Even when I’m not riding my bike, like the last two weeks (for reasons which don’t really matter, and offering them only renders them excuses), I live La Vie through other avenues. Eve...

@Ron's posts:

  1. @Apex Nadir That’s pretty strong, but I don’t know how I feel about your handle. »

  2. @il ciclista medio That was the most fundamental cuisine experience for me when I was in Vietnam and two islands of Japan: “meat” (fish, pig, cow, et al) were an added bonus, the meat…was something stock like rice or rice noodles. My body is happy on … »

The Bike. It is the central tool in pursuit of our craft. A Velominatus meticulously maintains their bicycles and adorns them with the essential, yet minimal, accoutrement. The Rules specify the principles of good taste in configuration and setup of our machines, but within those principles lies almost infinite room for personal taste.It seems in s...

@Ron's posts:

  1. Gianni – ooooooh boy, a new Numero Uno. NICE!! Andrew – that is a nice bike. The only thing I think that would be nice is a seatpost that is a bit sharper. That one is definitely fine and functional, but might be a nice place to put on a shinier or sleek… »

I find it interesting to observe the chasm between parties engaged in a conversation, particularly in response to questions being asked. I’m thinking, at present, of the question, “How many bikes do you have?” My feelings in response are nothing short of complex and maybe a bit confused; reservation that I feel I should have a mo...

@Ron's posts:

  1. And how come no matter how many slick bikes I have myself, I’m still lusting after other bikes? What is this illness that plagues me? »

La Vie Velominatus isn’t a part-time gig. La Vie means the life, and The V is my life. Otherwise, I’d be Some V Velominatus, some of the time.Even when I’m not riding my bike, like the last two weeks (for reasons which don’t really matter, and offering them only renders them excuses), I live La Vie through other avenues. Eve...

@Ron's posts:

  1. @czmiel Well said! We can probably leave it at that and close the discussion. But that is definitely the key – self-awareness about what and why you’re doing something. »

  2. Nice one, Brett! I saw that piece on Mr. T. I was impressed, as I always am, at how thoughtful non-English speakers can be when interviewed in English. Maybe I’d be the same way if I could slow down and think before I answer? I eat very little meat, cook… »

Update: You can watch the live stream (assuming it works from the velodrome) on the Velominati channel at USTREAM. When you log in, you’ll first see my little test video of my puppy eating grass. Please disregard me yelling at it. That never happened.I have always considered myself to have a good imagination, something I attribute half to my...

@Ron's posts:

  1. Frank, what sort of riding/training are you doing this week? Wondering if you are resting the guns, doing light rides, doing the Fignon Man with the Hammer rides or what. Also, building up the Gravel Rig has me thinking your lack of an in-house mechanic … »

I find it interesting to observe the chasm between parties engaged in a conversation, particularly in response to questions being asked. I’m thinking, at present, of the question, “How many bikes do you have?” My feelings in response are nothing short of complex and maybe a bit confused; reservation that I feel I should have a mo...

@Ron's posts:

  1. Note to self: quit looking at bikes online and get outside and ride! Also, is it wrong to put gumwalls on all my bikes? This photo is helping me think the answer is no. »

  2. Great lead photo, beautiful bike, nice build up. I really dig it and don’t know if I’d change a thing. NICE! Ha, a pal was over last weekend for a party. He has one bike that he rides to graduate school. I have five bikes in the house, plus others off-si… »

It’s not a secret around these parts that William Fotheringham is my favorite Cycling journalist. Growing up as a budding Velominatus in the isolated island known as North America, I could count on one hand the publications that even mentioned Cycling, let alone provided reliable coverage. Winning Magazine and Velonews were my source for race...

@Ron's posts:

  1. I went to my local uni library today to check out their cycling books. They have a fair amount on the subject, and some great photo book (albums) of Le Tour. I avoid that section when I have work to do but today I had some free time and hadn’t looked at t… »

  2. Do I spot two Pinarellos on the cover? And, does Pharmstrong have his FD setup with the DT shifter in that photo? I only see his right shifter cable emerging, not a left one. »

  3. Nice review and heads up, Frank! I’ve been reading “It’s All About the Bike” since I received it as a gift last year. I just keep on reading it over and over in bed, hoping cycling dreams will keep the Man with the Hammer away a bit longer on the next rid… »

The mighty VSP generator has been switched on once again. The mil-spec hydraulic fluid has been changed since the Giro. A new power take-off belt has also been installed. And the punch card reader has been refurbished.Broome and Berti are already riding the Critérium du Dauphiné. The top contenders prefer the Dauphiné for the decent recovery all...

@Ron's posts:

  1. Well damn, nothing like waking up at 6:00 on a Saturday and realizing you’ve Delgado’ed. I might totally go off the rails and even skip a ride this morning in favor of some futbol. I’ve reached a new low. »

Update: You can watch the live stream (assuming it works from the velodrome) on the Velominati channel at USTREAM. When you log in, you’ll first see my little test video of my puppy eating grass. Please disregard me yelling at it. That never happened.I have always considered myself to have a good imagination, something I attribute half to my...

@Ron's posts:

  1. The enthusiasm and all the KM guessing is excellent entertainment. I’m pumped at what is going on in my cycling community next weekend! »

  2. Not to overshadow our man Frank, but I participated in a fundraising relay “race” last weekend. Teams of four, two running legs, one swimming, one cycling. The VMH’s design firm entered a team and she committed me to taking part. Only 15 km…but you had … »

  3. Good on ya, Frank. This Saturday I plan to go on a gentlemanly solo cruise for a few hours, then come back to celebrate at a going-away party for my housemate, Chris. He’s leaving for a few months, flying all the way west and then riding back to NC. This… »