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:
@wiscot's posts:
@wiscot's posts:
@sthilzy Don’t let those lights hit those Gaerne shoes. Folks will be permanently blinded FFS. »
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@Ron Dear Ron, I hear you. Long rides require almost as much metal prep as physical prep.I did 7 hours on Saturday. It was very good and I knew I could do it as I did just over 6 he previous week in much harsher conditions. It’s all in the build-up. … »
#1 and #3 are silent at the moment. Last night I realized #2 needs some TLC. I’ll get on that this week. I have a pair of Diadoras that are not conforming. Not sure if it’s the cleat, the straps or what. It’s driving me nuts. »
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@ped Christ! A little heads-up might have been goo there! I close my eyes and all I see are bright bolts of light! »
@xced Alas, she’ll probably get a warning. Of course, she’s so stupid she can’t conceive that cyclists might own cars too. Bring back publiic stocks for thiis kind of idiocy. »
@strathlubnaig Ugly beyond belief. Either wear an appropriate jacket or do what we ddid back in the day – stick a plastic bag up he front of your jersey. »
@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. »
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@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… »
Can’t believe no-one’s posted this yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hUy9ePyo6Q »
@unversio No, in front of her wrist. »
@frank Ok, I don’t want to come across as too pervy (but given some of the issues covered on this site, that’s unlikely),, Ms Blue Slacks is of an undetermimed age, but look next to her left wrist; is she showing excitement at The Prophet’s exertions? »
@frank Well that makes me feel a wee bit better. It was pretty warm here on Saturday when I did the 7 hours. Started off cloudy at 11am but warmed up fast. I was overdressed. And, as you know, SE WI isn’t flat. My route was perpetually lumpy. I needed … »
@frank I agree with all of this except your food intake. My 7 hour ride was about 190kms. If I hadn’t eaten I’d be dead by the side of the road. There’s something great about committing yourself to be so far from home knowing that there’s only one way b… »
@Chris One of the reasons I do mostly solo is so I can set my own pace and schedule. In other words, stops at gas stations for liquids are as short as they need to be. Even when I do organized rides, I stop, piss, eat, refill pockets and leave. No hang… »