Velominatus: wiscot
Order: Guest Contributor
Location: West Bend, Wisconsin
I got my first bike at age 2 and have always had one since. My first real bike was a massive steel blue Peugeot at the age of 14. Subsequently replaced by a red Holdsworth, a team-colors Raleigh and a ruby-red Colnago, the latter joined by a neon-pink Cougar TT bike, a metallic green Brian Rouke winter bike and a blue Specialized mountain bike. All steel and all gone to new homes now. I joined the Johnstone Wheelers Cycling Club at 18 and became a dedicated time triallist, riding 30-50 club and open races a year. In 1989/90 I was a founding member of the short-lived VC d"Or which included velominatus and short-lived COTHO teammate Brian Smith. I also raced regularly against another real Velominatus - Graeme Obree - in the 1980s and beat him twice - once in a 10 and once in a 50. Rumors that he stopped to have a drum up at the turn are probably true. Moved to the US in 1990. Buggered up my back (working for a bike shop ironically) in 1993. Took several years off. Back riding since 2006 in Wisconsin and logging 8000+ kilometers each of the last three years.
@wiscot's activity:
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@wiscot's posts:
@Ron Commissaires are usually pretty quick to sanction, but maybe Cav’s getting a break this year. The boy dug deep today as he had no help at the end. He pretty much collapsed after crossing the line. He’s gotta be dreading the next few mountain stages… »
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@DocBrian They give out medals to less brave souls than you. Good luck. »
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@ChrisO Co-leaders? 100% guarantee of unpleasantness. Has never worked and sure won’t this time. A pity because being from the UK I grew up watching British riders get shelled in the pro game with very rare exceptions. I remember the ANC debacle, but I… »
What’s going to be interesting is if Wiggo wants a crack at the Tour. Clearly there are ill feelings in the Sky camp and remarks from Uran et al during the week that “”we’re not Froome” testify to that. I’d imagine Froome is counting the days until he can… »
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@Nate The commentary leaves a lot to be desired too. »
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@nkanafani I’m doing the UPAF (United Performing Arts Fund) ride in Milwaukee soon. I shall do my best to ignore rule violators as there will be too many. Actually, that’s rather unfair as you can’t obey the rules if you’ve never heard of them and for m… »
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You gotta give it to Cav – he brings home the goods. Clean pair of heels to the bunch today. That looked like a hard chase to get the break back. »
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My issue is, here in SE WI it takes less than 30 seconds to descend any hill we have. Most are dead straight too.I was in Dubuque last year and rode up one of the bluffs. Coming down was pretty terrifying – I just wasn’t used to the speed and a few corner… »
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@Cyclops Oh please! You’ve been serious about building your own from day 1 – admit it! »
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@MikeOnABike Mike, thy go on the inside. Unless you’re a triathlete in which case it’s probably acceptable to wear them on the outside (along with arm warmers with a sleeveless jersey, tall compression socks and a helmet o backwards). Good luck! Look at… »
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@Steampunk That’s just crazy – on open roads too! »
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@DerHoggz Best use for those awful helmets – a fucking bongo drum. »
@Deakus Keeping one’s steed clean doesn’t require a rule. It’s like taking a shower or going to the toilet – it’s just something you do as part of life. A clean bike is happy bike and by extension makes for a happy rider. My #1 has been observing the … »
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I rode for a bit at the Cheesehead Roubaix a few weeks ago and this big tall guy had electronic shifting o his beautiful handbuilt steel Ellis. I asked him about how good the electronic shifting was – he said he loved it. He said the battery lasstys for m… »
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@Buck Rogers I think the spectator was called Joey. Is he alright? »
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@Dan_R Nice rig, but how do you stop yourself falling off the front of the saddle? »
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@snoov I hear you. Could be worse. In the Women’s Olympic RR, Paul Sherwen kept calling Armistead Armitage.That’s some serious mispronunciation. Mind you, let’s be honest, some of those Basque names are horrible to try and pronounce. »
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I’m thinking no on swaps. What I do hope is that Wiggo will show his true mettle and status as a contender, and go crazy on a few stages. Playing cat and mouse with Nibs, Cuddles, Ryder and Gesink won’t do any good. Sky don’t seem to be aware of a “fuck i… »
To swap, or not to swap: that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The descents and climbs of outrageous fortune, Or to take capes against a sea of rains, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we … »
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@roger That’s what I hear and why I like it here in Cheesehead country,.Three times I’ve had bad mechanicals – broken chain, cracked rim and double punctures – each time I hitched rides home and one guy was almost home and went 14 miles out of his way. … »
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@Gianni My Cougar TT bike was hot pink (but not my choice – it was bought 2nd hand off a buddy). Still looked pretty fab in that 80s styling kinda way. »
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@doubleR I wave/nod/say hello to just about anyone I meet/pass. Bike riders, joggers, walkers, guys cutting their grass. I see it as being polite and friendly and helping give cyclists a better rep as being friendly. Also, you never know when you might… »
@scaler911 This helmet is much better looking than those new Giro aero helmets. »
“So, like, my Mom’s picking me up in five minutes. What time does your Mom pick you up?” »
Notice how the YJA’s gather together for safety. Even off the bike they congregate lest something terrible happen. Club-kit boys seem to be off to the side. »