Merckxy Christmas

To each and every one of you in our community, we’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and involvement in our community.

Velominati is a project born of passion more than planning, and the fact that we’ve managed to gain your support means the world to us; over the years I’ve come to consider many of you friends, despite never (or rarely) having met any of you in person. Our Cogals are a testament to how our community straddles the physical and virtual worlds and it continues to amaze me; when I founded Velominati in 2009 and Bretto jumped on board soon after, I never imagined where this would go. Thanks to each of you for the gift you give us Keepers by being part of the community and letting your voice be heard (even when that voice is telling us we’re a bunch of idiots – you’re not wrong.)

In the spirit of the community, we are also excited to hint at a major refresh of the site to be launched later this week. Our site’s design, done by KRX-10 in 2009, has aged better than most, but design and technology has evolved considerably and it’s time for an update. The first step is a ground-up rebuild of the site with some exciting new features including basic social networking features including friending and following fellow community members, as well as the ability to privately message each other. We feel this will greatly enhance the sense of community. Consider that our Christmas gift to you for 2015, but more features will follow throughout 2015, so buckle your seatbelts!

Thanks go to each and every one of you for your contribution and loyalty; we wish you a Merckxy Christmas, one and all!

Yours for ever in Cycling,

– Frank, Brett, Gianni, Marko, and Jim

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86 Replies to “Merckxy Christmas”

  1. @pistard

    It’s funny you say draft; I built the entire thing using the word draft but it was too confusing between the other meanings for the word “draft” – and the meaning of “follow” is well established. I decided to use the standard terms for now and labels are easy to change – it’s the functionality that matters.

    Its not about popularity, it’s about being able to track what’s going on and contacting the people you want to and making more personal connections. The site continues to function as it always has, you just have more ways to interact, you’re not being restricted.

    Besides, imagine how much of my time will be freed up if I can stop answering the “can you put me in touch with so-and-so” emails. That alone is worth it to me, bitches!

    (And the new posting box works a treat on the mobile, although the menu is a bit jacked on the iPad mini.)

  2. @Ken Ho

    @tessar Yes, unless that had a nice jersey and a set of Assos in it, I think you got punked.

    It had Rapha’s Long Sleeve Cross jersey in it, which matched up nicely with last year’s Assos T607 thermal bib. Took it for a maiden ride yesterday, it’s definitely a step above my other jerseys in terms of subjective “niceness” – will definitely be my go-to jersey for special rides and semi-casual training. Even got complemented it by a former Saxobank pro after we crossed swords on the local hills.

  3. @wilburrox

    @Chris

    @wilburrox

    A bike waiting by the tree for Christmas morning… cheers all

    There was a saddle and seat post under the tree for Angus. At first he though it was because he’d been complaining about how uncomfortable his mtb saddle was. Then he realised…

    Is there a category beyond causally deliberate ?? As in like perfectly causally deliberate? ‘Cause this young man would nail it if there is. I love the red. Christmas bikes, remembered for a lifetime. Sweet. If the day goes as planned, the young lady and I’ll join the club for a group ride today. When the ride’s described as a “reasonable Christmas pace” it sounds like a good opportunity for her to set a new distance mark. Regret we’ve had a little too much rain of late to hit the trails on her new mtn bike. Cheers

    Cazh delib? Even better, that red renders on my screen as a particularly stylish and uber-confident fuschia. Put me in mind of this, anyway:

     

     

  4. @wilburrox

    @Chris

    @wilburrox

    A bike waiting by the tree for Christmas morning… cheers all

    There was a saddle and seat post under the tree for Angus. At first he though it was because he’d been complaining about how uncomfortable his mtb saddle was. Then he realised…

    Is there a category beyond causally deliberate ?? As in like perfectly causally deliberate? ‘Cause this young man would nail it if there is. I love the red. Christmas bikes, remembered for a lifetime. Sweet. If the day goes as planned, the young lady and I’ll join the club for a group ride today. When the ride’s described as a “reasonable Christmas pace” it sounds like a good opportunity for her to set a new distance mark. Regret we’ve had a little too much rain of late to hit the trails on her new mtn bike. Cheers

    Cazh delib? Even better, that red renders on my screen as a particularly stylish and uber-confident fuschia. Put me in mind of this, anyway:

  5. @frank

    It’s just my inner cranky old man showing. I’m looking forward to the new features, and private messaging will definitely be helpful. I find the mobile site runs great on Android, just had to clear cache/cookies to stay logged in.

  6. Hallelujah! Another year has come. A year of building wheels and making more frame deals. A whole year of building, building, building, and building. Not to mention building legs.

  7. @Chris

    @frank one immediate though ton the new format: I’m not sure that I like is that the Recent Posts and Articles pane doesn’t show what article people have commented on. Otherthan, that are we now the facebook of cycling?

    I have been using Facebook exclusively for cycling for the past 2 years. Good way to keep cycling business isolated, otherwise I would kill the Facebook account.

  8. @Frank, can’t imagine what you are going through because except for bikes my world is centered around 14th century technology. Whatever ‘puter mojo you are working I’m sure it’s going to be much appreciated by almost all… When you nail it down – good luck!

    Thank you for the work that you do and the fun you give us.

  9. Merry Merckxy Christmas to all.  In the Merckx spirit, I’m just starting Friebe’s latest book on Merckx.

  10. @yogacyclist

    @wilburrox

    @Chris

    @wilburrox

    A bike waiting by the tree for Christmas morning… cheers all

    There was a saddle and seat post under the tree for Angus. At first he though it was because he’d been complaining about how uncomfortable his mtb saddle was. Then he realised…

    Is there a category beyond causally deliberate ?? As in like perfectly causally deliberate? ‘Cause this young man would nail it if there is. I love the red. Christmas bikes, remembered for a lifetime. Sweet. If the day goes as planned, the young lady and I’ll join the club for a group ride today. When the ride’s described as a “reasonable Christmas pace” it sounds like a good opportunity for her to set a new distance mark. Regret we’ve had a little too much rain of late to hit the trails on her new mtn bike. Cheers

    Cazh delib? Even better, that red renders on my screen as a particularly stylish and uber-confident fuschia. Put me in mind of this, anyway:

     

     

    Perhaps there should be an adendum to Rule #8:

    If you jacket has leather elbow pads, they should match the colour of your bar tape.

     

  11. @frank thanks for the work on the site. Can’t imagine how you get it done. Awesome stuff.

    Happy New Year to all!

  12. @pistard

    @frank

    It’s just my inner cranky old man showing. I’m looking forward to the new features, and private messaging will definitely be helpful. I find the mobile site runs great on Android, just had to clear cache/cookies to stay logged in.

    I’m sure that will be the case for everyone @(redranger) and for some reason I’m still getting traffic to the old site which boggles my tiny brain.

  13. @frank nice work, like the new layout. Noticed the old category & month list seems to have disappeared so that it’s harder to seek out older articles unless they pop up in the “recent & random” section.

    Also, when someone replies to a post of yours, will you get a notification?

     

  14. @All

    Don’t take it personally if I reject any friend requests… I don’t do them on facebook and I won’t be doing them here. Doesn’t mean I don’t like you all though!

  15. @frank

    You’ve managed some Dr Who style awesomeness with the new update and torn a hole in the very fabric of the corporate security that prevented posting previously.

    What happened, did you get a V-Screwdriver for Christmas?

  16. @frank

    @pistard

    It’s funny you say draft; I built the entire thing using the word draft but it was too confusing between the other meanings for the word “draft” – and the meaning of “follow” is well established. I decided to use the standard terms for now and labels are easy to change – it’s the functionality that matters.

    Its not about popularity, it’s about being able to track what’s going on and contacting the people you want to and making more personal connections. The site continues to function as it always has, you just have more ways to interact, you’re not being restricted.

    Besides, imagine how much of my time will be freed up if I can stop answering the “can you put me in touch with so-and-so” emails. That alone is worth it to me, bitches!

    (And the new posting box works a treat on the mobile, although the menu is a bit jacked on the iPad mini.)

    But Frank, I LOVE sending you “can you put me in touch with” emails…

    Nah, I’ve actually tried to send as few as possible since I know you’re busy as fuck. I think I’m at 3 in around 5 years; I’d like to consider that a lowly unfuckingwithtoomuch number.

    Thanks for all your work, Big Monkey Man! I’m sure the updates will be great. I’m hoping you’ll include a click-to-buy-now link for the Carrera denim bibs, my New Year’s wish!

  17. @frank

    Classy of you to thank us, when without you the place would not even exist.

    I personally very much like the new look, especially the tabbed setup on the mid-right that allows selection of recent/popular topics. Great work, as always, thank you.

  18. @Geraint

    I personally very much like the new look, especially the tabbed setup on the mid-right that allows selection of recent/popular topics. Great work, as always, thank you.

    @Geraint Thanks for pointing that out. 

    @frank, a suggestion for a minor edit: it appears that while “posts” (perhaps unsurprisingly) refers to posts, “popular” and “latest” refer to articles. Maybe flag those accordingly?

    Thanks again for all your work! 

  19. @Chris

    @frank

    You’ve managed some Dr Who style awesomeness with the new update and torn a hole in the very fabric of the corporate security that prevented posting previously.

    What happened, did you get a V-Screwdriver for Christmas?

    No idea what specifically would have fixed that but the whole infrastructure is rebuilt. Also, the login page has lost the infuriating text along the top that I could never track down.

  20. @frank

    I’m always lurking, just not much to contribute as of late. Just took a new job and will have an office downtown so hopefully that will mean more bike commuting for me.

  21. @brett

    @All

    Don’t take it personally if I reject any friend requests… I don’t do them on facebook and I won’t be doing them here. Doesn’t mean I don’t like you all though!

    I’ve been FB friends with you three times, I think. No one has defriended me more. I see we aren’t friends again so don’t expect me to talk to you next time we have beers, you snob.

  22. @Oli

    @brett

    @All

    Don’t take it personally if I reject any friend requests… I don’t do them on facebook and I won’t be doing them here. Doesn’t mean I don’t like you all though!

    I’ve been FB friends with you three times, I think. No one has defriended me more. I see we aren’t friends again so don’t expect me to talk to you next time we have beers, you snob.

    Don’t feel special, I hate everyone equally.

  23. And just as I typed that, an email from Gphant himself…

    Check this out: Pride of place at the counter of a bustling bookstore in Chelsea Markets, NYC (where we are for a couple of weeks). Apparently they sell “a lot” of The Rules. Happy New Year, you fuckers. – Fat Phant

    Mail Attachment

  24. After a year and a half or reading, laughing and even some cycling, the (very nice!) new site seems like the appropriate moment to make myself a profile and -who knows- maybe even join the fun.

     

     

    Too late late for merry Christmas, but happy new year to you all!

     

  25. @brett

    @Oli

    @brett

    @All

    Don’t take it personally if I reject any friend requests… I don’t do them on facebook and I won’t be doing them here. Doesn’t mean I don’t like you all though!

    I’ve been FB friends with you three times, I think. No one has defriended me more. I see we aren’t friends again so don’t expect me to talk to you next time we have beers, you snob.

    Don’t feel special, I hate everyone equally.

    I hate you too, darling. xx

     

  26. Coppi New Year to all, hopefully any rides planned tomorrow don’t feel like this!

    <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/FnLspDXCkgQ” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

  27. Hello Velominati. I’m a sometime watcher, reader and enjoyer of all this discussion. A returnee to the love of the bicycle, and adherent to the V.

    I came across this homage/exhibition to Eddy that’s running in Brussels until June in celebration of His Merckx’s 70th year (and some other bloke that drove a car):

    http://www.merckx-ickx.be

    Planning to visit next week – was in Brussels this week, but it was inexplicably closed for New Year’s Day (wtf?)… Ideal as a tag on to Vlaanderen or Roubaix trips?!

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