Velominati Super Prestige:
Giro D'Italia 2013
Velominati Community Profile Archive

Velominatus: schmiken

Order: Level 4 Velominatus

Location: East Midlands, UK

Social: Website / /

Owner, chief mechanic and head perfectionist at Mike's Bikes. Seen on the road, suffering for the cause of getting fit for XC MTB. Velominati credentials unchallenged after THAT post - http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#comment-126010

@schmiken's activity:

Guest Article: Urs Freuler- The Ultimate Cyclo-tash

Somehow Movember and Vajanuary have slipped out of our grasp without too much fanfare. It’s never too late to pay homage to a ‘stash and a rider such as Urs Freuler. Our trusty cycling historian @wiscot has once again stepped up and delivered, many thanks. Yours in Cycling, Gianni…...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. Completely have to agree with the pics of Geoff Kabush. A facial hairstyle so iconic that he’s now more recognised by sideburns than bike/kit/helmet/anything else. »

Guest Article: Where the hell are all the Velominata hiding?

It is October, the last VSP of the season is up, there is still some race in China no one cares about. The road racing season is over. It is time for a little Velominati reflection. We tried to put in as many women’s races into the VSP as we could. They get little press, finding a start list is tough, picking the top five even tougher. But th...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. Good friggin’ call. However I bought my missus two sweet bikes (MTB and road) and she barely rides them. It’s a massive effort to encourage her out on a ride, but if the sun’s shining and I promise not to go too fast she’s up for it. I’m hoping our new ta… »

The Rules

We are the Keepers of the Cog.  In so being, we also maintain the sacred text wherein lie the simple truths of cycling etiquette known as The Rules. It is in our trust to maintain and endorse this list.See also The Prophet’s Prayer. Continue reading...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. I got married on Saturday, and thought you guys might want to see this… »

Velominati Super Prestige: Tour de France 2012

We are proud to announce a change to the Velominati Super Prestige moving forward: sponsorship. We are delighted (if a little surprised) at the interest our partners showed in this endeavor, despite the short notice we gave them. Four sponsors will be gracing the sides of our team bus for this year’s race: fi’zi:k is our Super Domesti...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. Sorry, being a dumbass. Can someone edit my post or show me how to do it please? »

  2. VSP PICKS: 1. Evans 2. Wiggo 3. Sagan 4. Voekler 5. Basso »

Having Good Legs

One great mystery remains in this cycling world. I’ve been a cyclist for over thirty years and I still can’t buy a clue. Remember those rides where very early on, as you roll out of a parking lot, or just away from your house, you notice you have good legs. You need verification and after a proper warm up the feeling is still there, to...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. Amen to that Gianni, gotta love the days when everything comes together and you seem to be able to outride the Man With The Hammer. On the flipside, there seem to be too many days so far this year where I’ve not had good legs at all. Illness and racing ma… »

Ontario Cogal Report: Canada Brings the V

A word about Cogal reports from the boardroom – we will attempt to run every Cogal report that arrives but it will only be the main article for a day or less, depending on Cogal back log. We would like the reports to be enjoyed by all Velominati but we can’t leave them up for the usual two to three days. They will then be relegated below th...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. Awesome stories chaps! »

Peter Van Petegem: A Lesson in Rule #9

Rule #9-Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. Fantastic quote – “…the weaker riders have already been defeated”. Sums up my whole MTB season so far, don’t seem to be able to have a dry race so far this year! »

Reverence: Fi’zi:k Aliante

The saddle has got to be the most important piece of equipment for the cyclist when it comes to comfort and performance. If your ass is rubbing the wrong way, causing chafing and sores, or all circulation is cut off rendering you unable to locate vital organs for nature breaks, then it’s fair to say you don’t have the right saddle. And...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. @Vin’cenza I don’t think I will, just in case it happens that they fit better! I’ll then feel bad about stockpiling Aliantes. I do love the Aliante so much that I’ll just stick with them. @snoov Five isn’t really enough, whenever they come up on eBay I … »

  2. I love my Aliantes, I’ve taken to stockpiling them just in case. They spend a winter on the turbo bike and then are boxed up for that disastrous day when I write one off. Currently got five spares broken in – I know I’m nutty, but the right saddle is the … »

Portland Cogal v1.1 Post Ride Report

“My teeth are famous!” exclaimed Fränk while Mrs. Scaler was running around with her shiny new camera, documenting the day. This happened quite a few post ride hoppy beverages into the evening after the Portland Cogal.But let me back up a bit. As most here know, Saturday was the first Velominati Portland Cogal. From the proper VM we had myself...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. @frank +1! »

La Vie Velominatus: The Toolkit

Even as a Pre-Cambrian Velominatus, the rusty wires in my brain must have made the connection between my machine’s aesthetics and the lack of a saddle bag; I can’t remember a time when I rode with a European Posterior Man Satchel. But riding without a saddle bag means the tools go in the pocket, and that means great care must be take...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. I’m much the same: Inner tube, tyre levers, chain link, Lezyne glueless patches and Lezyne CRV-12. With regard to glueless patches – they are now good enough to leave on permanently but I still pull them off and replace with glued patches when I get home… »

La Vie Velominatus: Building Wheels

Self-awareness is a non-optional ingredient of leading a fulfilling life; while we should always push ourselves to explore new things, we should also be aware of our limitations and weigh expectations against them. This is why I avoid any activities involving intelligence or a blow torch, and take particular care to avoid those involving an inter...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. Please take care when gluing as it’d be a crying shame to see badly glued tubs on these beautiful wheels! Vittoria Pave? »

We Wish You a Merckxy Christmas, and a Coppi New Year

From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of everyone at Velominati, we wish you a very Happy Holidays and as such issue a temporary suspension of Rule #11.I’d like to thank everyone for coming around to our little corner of the world to spend your valuable time as part of the community; without you, none of this works. Thanks for helpi...

@schmiken's posts:

  1. A very merry Christmas and happy new year to all Velominati! »