Velominati Community Profile Archive

Velominatus: Dinan

Order: Level 2 Velominatus

Location: Asheville, NC, USA

I'm a runner or at least I used to be. After years of running and marathoning I was convinced by a coworker and a family member to try my feet at cycling. After buying my first road bike, I've never looked back. I ride almost exclusively these days and only run when chased. My day job is to act like an IT Manager and general geek. In a past life I was a US Army Ranger and general grumpy mess. These days the only push ups I'll do are to get off the ground when I take a digger on the bike. -Dinan

@Dinan's activity:

Sitting at the top of Haleakala, I thought of this photo with the staunch realization that there are no words to describe the agony of exhaustion, except Graham Watson’s caption in Visions of Cycling:Paul Sherwen’s mother cried when she saw this picture of her son, taken after the finish of the 1983 Paris-Roubaix Continue reading...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @replica gucci handbags free shipping This post makes me want to buy a new handbag….. -Dinan »

Keepers Tour 2012 veteran @ChrisO is back to his racing ways in Cyprus. Yes, this is not Northern France; let us take a brief respite and go to warmer Mediterranean climes. This is ChrisO’s second guest article about his racing; his first was a stage race, the Tour of Sharjah, last year. Yours in Cycling, Gianni Continue reading...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. Great article, Chris. Thanks for sharing and keep it up! -Dinan »

It looks so easy on the television. Well, no, actually it looks pretty bloody hard. We think we have some understanding of how they suffer, how their bodies can take the continual beating. But we don’t really know. Not even by riding these abominations they call roads twice in the space of a few days can we understand the scale of the thing...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @Ron I think that crash looked rough for Cancellara. He seemed really shaken to me…. -Dinan »

March 29, 2013 – April 8, 2013 // Lille, France // Event Details // Book Now Continue reading...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. March 29, 2013 – April 8, 2013 // Lille, France // Event Details // Book Now

    The Hardmen. They inspire us; we aspire to be one among them. They are the solitary voice among the thousands in our heads that tell us to keep pushing when all the others tell us to stop. Their long shadows look on in approval as we pull on our cold and wet weather gear and head out into the elements to ride.

    Every serious Cyclist is a hard man or woman; it comes with the territory. But to be given the title of Hardman, one must be more than just tough. The Hardmen stand out among the rest as the ones who ride over the savage, jagged cobblestones of Northern Europe with a souplesse that is possessed only by those riders who thrive in the most torturous of road cycling’s domains: The Cobbled Classics of Northern Europe.

    Velominati has partnered up with Pavé Cycling Classics, based in Northern France, to offer the chance to walk where Giants tread and pedal through the trench of Arenberg and up the devastating cobbled steeps of the Koppenberg and Kapelmuur. To pedal with the Pros during their reconnaissance of the Paris-Roubaix route.

    As if that isn’t good enough, we offer the opportunity to do all this with Johan Museeuw, the last Lion of Flanders.

    Velominati’s Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2013 will be hosted and guided by the Velominati Keepers in partnership with Pavé Cycling Classics over nine days in April during the most sacred time of the season, the week when de Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris Roubaix are held. The trip is all-inclusive and covers lodging, meals, energy drink, energy bars, and sag support. Bikes are available and included in the price should you wish not to bring your own.

    The friendships forged over the 2012 edition of Keepers Tour with 9 days of riding the cobbles of Flanders and Northern France, drinking the best of Belgian beer, and eating the finest French cuisine leave an indelible mark on not only the Keepers, but all those who attend. Cycling has that ability to bring people together, and we count ourselves very blessed to have met such a great bunch of souls who we are proud to call our mates.

    For 2013, we have trimmed the fat and added a bunch of amazing treats for you. Not only will we be riding the Pavé du Nord, the steeps of Liége and the Kasseien of Flanders, we will be doing it with a very special guest; The Lion of Flanders himself, Johan Museeuw. Last year we had the pleasure of an afternoon with Johan, riding some of the Gent-Wevelgem route and enjoying a few beers after. This time, you can witness firsthand how to float across the stones of Arenberg and charge up the Kapelmuur from the master… how many cyclists are able to say that?

    Take this unique opportunity to be part of an experience that everyone attending will never forget, or regret.

    Provisional Itinerary

    • Friday : Pick up midday, travel to gite and get bikes setup
    • Saturday : Paris-Roubaix with Johan Museeuw (last 150km)
    • Sunday : Watch de Ronde van Vlaanderen at the Oude Kwaremont
    • Monday: Visit the Roeselare National Bicycle Museum & go for an easy ride around Kemmel
    • Tuesday:  Liège-Bastogne- Liège with Johan Museeuw
    • Wednesday: Track riding at the Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Gent then watch the GP Escault (Scheldeprijs) pro race
    • Thursday: Paris Roubaix reconaissance ride with the Pros
    • Friday: Brunehaut brewery visit and meet with Pro Team (Omega-Pharma Quickstep or AG2R)
    • Saturday: Ronde Van Vlaanderen with Johan Museeuw (150km)
    • Sunday: Watch Paris Roubaix at three secteurs (Valenciennes, Arenberg, l’Arbre); optional stay at gite on Sunday night

    Price: 3990€, All inclusive price includes rides with Johan Museeuw, accommodation for 9 nights, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine, insurance coverage, sag support, Pavé’s custom Cyfac rental bikes (upon request), exclusive V-Lion V-Shirts, exclusive Keepers Tour V-Pint, exclusive V-Mussette, and Pavé Cycling Classics jersey. Plus swag from our sponsors.

    At this time we are accepting reservations for the full Keepers Tour, and now we also include weekend and daily packages. Once the reservation is confirmed, we will collect a 20% deposit with the balance due upon arrival in Lille.

    Attendees should be comfortable riding in groups and be able to ride 150km several times in a week at a 28-30kph pace; some groups may elect to go faster but these are non-competitive rides. There will be lots of cobbles, and lots of short, steep climbs – sometimes both at the same time, so prepare yourself accordingly. We will usually have sag support, and riders who are unable to keep up may be asked to climb in the car. Or to Survive on V.

    Booking

    There is a problem with our booking form; please email tours@velominati.com to register.

    Bookings

    Bookings are closed for this event.

    Event Details

    Loading Map....

    Date/Time
    Date - March 29, 2013 - April 07, 2013
    12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

    Location
    Gare de Lille Flandres

    Cogal Details
    Route Details


Winning one Monument in a career is more than most Pros will ever achieve. Winning two in a season, nearly impossible. Winning two a week apart, it has been done more than a few times, by only the toughest of men. The Ronde and Roubaix both have cobbles but that is about all they have in common. Roubaix might be the harder one to win. The evil Lady...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @unversio I think that image sums it up well, universio. -Dinan »

Imagine a world without the little things we take for granted; a house without a roof, a pub with no beer, a Keepers Tour without any clothes. The last one is a reality for me at the moment, five days in and still no trace of where the hell between Wellington and Paris my bag (filled with V-Kit, shoes, helmet, everything) is. The other thing that h...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @LA Dave Well said, Dave. Couldn’t agree more. I don’t think behavior like this helps Sagan, his team or the sport of cycling. -Dinan »

March 29, 2013 – April 8, 2013 // Lille, France // Event Details // Book Now Continue reading...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. March 29, 2013 – April 8, 2013 // Lille, France // Event Details // Book Now

    The Hardmen. They inspire us; we aspire to be one among them. They are the solitary voice among the thousands in our heads that tell us to keep pushing when all the others tell us to stop. Their long shadows look on in approval as we pull on our cold and wet weather gear and head out into the elements to ride.

    Every serious Cyclist is a hard man or woman; it comes with the territory. But to be given the title of Hardman, one must be more than just tough. The Hardmen stand out among the rest as the ones who ride over the savage, jagged cobblestones of Northern Europe with a souplesse that is possessed only by those riders who thrive in the most torturous of road cycling’s domains: The Cobbled Classics of Northern Europe.

    Velominati has partnered up with Pavé Cycling Classics, based in Northern France, to offer the chance to walk where Giants tread and pedal through the trench of Arenberg and up the devastating cobbled steeps of the Koppenberg and Kapelmuur. To pedal with the Pros during their reconnaissance of the Paris-Roubaix route.

    As if that isn’t good enough, we offer the opportunity to do all this with Johan Museeuw, the last Lion of Flanders.

    Velominati’s Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2013 will be hosted and guided by the Velominati Keepers in partnership with Pavé Cycling Classics over nine days in April during the most sacred time of the season, the week when de Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris Roubaix are held. The trip is all-inclusive and covers lodging, meals, energy drink, energy bars, and sag support. Bikes are available and included in the price should you wish not to bring your own.

    The friendships forged over the 2012 edition of Keepers Tour with 9 days of riding the cobbles of Flanders and Northern France, drinking the best of Belgian beer, and eating the finest French cuisine leave an indelible mark on not only the Keepers, but all those who attend. Cycling has that ability to bring people together, and we count ourselves very blessed to have met such a great bunch of souls who we are proud to call our mates.

    For 2013, we have trimmed the fat and added a bunch of amazing treats for you. Not only will we be riding the Pavé du Nord, the steeps of Liége and the Kasseien of Flanders, we will be doing it with a very special guest; The Lion of Flanders himself, Johan Museeuw. Last year we had the pleasure of an afternoon with Johan, riding some of the Gent-Wevelgem route and enjoying a few beers after. This time, you can witness firsthand how to float across the stones of Arenberg and charge up the Kapelmuur from the master… how many cyclists are able to say that?

    Take this unique opportunity to be part of an experience that everyone attending will never forget, or regret.

    Provisional Itinerary

    • Friday : Pick up midday, travel to gite and get bikes setup
    • Saturday : Paris-Roubaix with Johan Museeuw (last 150km)
    • Sunday : Watch de Ronde van Vlaanderen at the Oude Kwaremont
    • Monday: Visit the Roeselare National Bicycle Museum & go for an easy ride around Kemmel
    • Tuesday:  Liège-Bastogne- Liège with Johan Museeuw
    • Wednesday: Track riding at the Eddy Merckx Velodrome in Gent then watch the GP Escault (Scheldeprijs) pro race
    • Thursday: Paris Roubaix reconaissance ride with the Pros
    • Friday: Brunehaut brewery visit and meet with Pro Team (Omega-Pharma Quickstep or AG2R)
    • Saturday: Ronde Van Vlaanderen with Johan Museeuw (150km)
    • Sunday: Watch Paris Roubaix at three secteurs (Valenciennes, Arenberg, l’Arbre); optional stay at gite on Sunday night

    Price: 3990€, All inclusive price includes rides with Johan Museeuw, accommodation for 9 nights, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine, insurance coverage, sag support, Pavé’s custom Cyfac rental bikes (upon request), exclusive V-Lion V-Shirts, exclusive Keepers Tour V-Pint, exclusive V-Mussette, and Pavé Cycling Classics jersey. Plus swag from our sponsors.

    At this time we are accepting reservations for the full Keepers Tour, and now we also include weekend and daily packages. Once the reservation is confirmed, we will collect a 20% deposit with the balance due upon arrival in Lille.

    Attendees should be comfortable riding in groups and be able to ride 150km several times in a week at a 28-30kph pace; some groups may elect to go faster but these are non-competitive rides. There will be lots of cobbles, and lots of short, steep climbs – sometimes both at the same time, so prepare yourself accordingly. We will usually have sag support, and riders who are unable to keep up may be asked to climb in the car. Or to Survive on V.

    Booking

    There is a problem with our booking form; please email tours@velominati.com to register.

    Bookings

    Bookings are closed for this event.

    Event Details

    Loading Map....

    Date/Time
    Date - March 29, 2013 - April 07, 2013
    12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

    Location
    Gare de Lille Flandres

    Cogal Details
    Route Details


Imagine a world without the little things we take for granted; a house without a roof, a pub with no beer, a Keepers Tour without any clothes. The last one is a reality for me at the moment, five days in and still no trace of where the hell between Wellington and Paris my bag (filled with V-Kit, shoes, helmet, everything) is. The other thing that h...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @Buck Rogers I’ve been thinking the same thing today. I would have had both of those guys in my picks for PR. Who knows what will happen now… -Dinan »

  2. @biggles Absolutely! I hope Boonen has it together by than… -Dinan »

  3. @Sauterelle I am 0 for 3 with him lately…. -Dinan »

Marianne Vos has never won this? She who wins everything all the time has never won this? Is it not hilly and tough enough? This seems like a tear in the time-space continuum. Someone is going to be wanting to add this to her palmarés. Weather sounds like a cold but dry day for racing. This is a big one, maybe worth two bumper stickers, so ponder...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. VSP PICKS: 1. Armistead 2. Vos 3. Johansson 4. Van Dijk 5. Borghini »

Imagine a world without the little things we take for granted; a house without a roof, a pub with no beer, a Keepers Tour without any clothes. The last one is a reality for me at the moment, five days in and still no trace of where the hell between Wellington and Paris my bag (filled with V-Kit, shoes, helmet, everything) is. The other thing that h...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. VSP PICKS: 1. Chavanel 2. Sagan 3. Boonen 4. Thomas 5. Eisel »

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...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @Ron Nutella & vodka??!? That hurts me just to think about!!! -Dinan »

I’ve been lucky enough to do quite a bit of travelling in my life. As a family, we travelled all over Europe when I was just a lad, and recently I’ve had the opportunity to visit more exotic places like India and Hawaii. What I’ve learned from my travels is that the key to a great experience is to leave your predispositions on t...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @Mike_P Welcome aboard, Mike! -Dinan »

Wellington isn’t renown for its great summers; a mate is always quick to remind me that if the weather was perfect all the time, everyone would want to live here and we’d be overrun by Aucklanders (just like Aussies but not quite dumb enough to live in Canberra). As our summer goes into its last death throes of amazingly calm, sunny, cl...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @the Engine @unversio Gotcha. If the bike and the ride are not enjoyable, you need to make it so. I understand. I often times have to take my Garmin off the stem and put it in my jersey pocket. That way I don’t obsess about it but still maintain a decen… »

  2. @frank I’m curious why you are ditching the computer, Frank? Tired of looking at it? Enjoy riding by feel alone? Just want to get back to basics? I’ve had a couple friends do this the last few months as well without much explanation. I am curious why … »

The Velominati site has drawn out many interesting, talented people these last few years, from frame builders to custom V-bar plug makers. We all know @pedale.forchetta as a Moots riding, bidon cage disdaining Italian cyclist. What’s not to love already… and generous too? From the beginning he has been sharing his photos with us all:...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. I’ve praised PF in the VSR thread but am more than happy to do so again here! You’re photography is absolutely amazing, sir. To say you have a talent would be a compliment for an amateur. What you are doing with the camera is a skillful art. You manage t… »

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...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @Tobin Update on this for anyone that was interested. I ended up ordering both the DA skewers as well as the DT skewers. I am in need of new skewers on both the bike I currently ride and the one I am building. I will try them both and report back with … »

Gent (Deinze)-Wevelgem, it starts with 130 km of cruising around Belgium and Northern France followed by a flurry of bergs and then a final 38 km of  flatter riding to the inevitable sprint finish. How hard can the climbing be if Super Mario got over them? Ask the riders from KT 2012, (the ones not in the following car) and they will tell you...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @Sauterelle I’m not commenting on how nice the kid is. I think he’s a good kid too. He brings a lot to the sport and is giving it a fresh, lively face. I’m right there with you, Sauterelle. Was the wheelie a douche move? Maybe, maybe not. Who am I to … »

  2. @Dinan For the record, I don’t care for showing off or braggers. -Dinan »

  3. @frank Would this be being a douche or having the previously debated cycling panache? -Dinan »

  4. Unreal! -Dinan »

  5. @Sauterelle Thank you, Sauterelle! Hugely appreciated! -Dinan »

  6. Can someone please link a stream to todays race? I would appreciate it. -Dinan »

As many of you know, there’s been a lot of synergy between BIGRINGRIDING and Velominati for several years now. Though BRR and Velominati have very different flavors, we work on a similar principle: foster passion for the sport through a mix of knowledge, history, and humor tempered with a healthy dose of irreverence, all while obviously makin...

@Dinan's posts:

  1. @Dinan I should have added that my usual places to watch are being uncooperative this morning. I swear I am not being lazy on trying to find a stream. -Dinan »