Cycling is a mighty sport with a rich and complex history. Every company, racer, piece of kit, and component has a legend, a story behind it; in many cases it also has a personal and nostalgic connection to our lives. While this particular sport is steeped in tradition, it is also fiercely modern, a fact that serves only to deepen its complexity.
All these factors combine to provide an unique atmosphere and breeds devoted and loyal disciples of our great sport. We are of a peculiar nature; we seek out the highest mountains and the roughest roads on which to worship at the altar of the Man with the Hammer. Our legs are what propel us; our minds are what drive us. We refer to our shaved legs in the third person – the legs – and speak of distance in kilometres and measure sizes in centimetres regardless of what country we are in. We adhere strictly to the Canon of Cycling’s Etiquette: The Rules.
A Velominatus is a disciple of the highest order. We spend our days poring over the very essence of what makes ours such a special sport and how that essence fits into Cycling’s colorful fabric. This is the Velominati’s raison d’être. This is where the Velominati can be ourselves. This is our agony – our badge of honor – our sin.
I have a unique way of looking at bicycles. A good bicycle and it’s components are beautiful things to me. I’m not just talking about appearance, but also how the frame and components show the dreams of those who made them.
– Gianni Bugno, Hardman and Italian cycling legend
Perhaps we are too wrapped up in the past, but the Velominati don’t believe that to be the case. After all, the greatest lessons can be learned from the past and those lessons can then be applied to the present and may then allow us to more fully experience the future.
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Velominati.com is less about the articles and more about the conversation. Those of you who read more and poster more, become an integral part of the discussion and help carry the momentum forward. There are several levels of Velominatus*:
Level 4 Velominatus: The casual observer and occasional poster.
Level 3 Velominatus: The regular reader and casual poster.
Level 2 Velominatus: The devoted reader and regular poster.
Level 1 Velominatus: The most committed of reader and poster.
Gray, Black, and Orange Order Velominatus: Once having passed Level 1, the inducted among the Order wear three color badges, based on their rank.
We strive to foster an open, fun, critical, and censure-free environment. Any criticism of our writing, spelling, grammar, or intelligence is welcome and nothing said will ever get you suspended from the site. That said, the code of conduct is governed by Rule #43 and the Piti Principle. Members consistently exhibiting behavior that falls outside these parameters will be warned to check themselves; should warnings go unheeded, we may elect to issue a suspension. The first offense will result in a one-week suspension, the second in a two week suspension, and the third in a three week suspension. A fourth offense will result in a lifetime ban.
Velominati reserves the right to edit posts with the express interest to preserve the spirit of the conversation and the community. Regarding posts that address a grammatical or typographical error, Velominati may elect to take their input, correct the error in the articles where appropriate, and editing posts that point them out. This editorial action is not to serve as a censure entity, but to preserve the spirit of the conversation. That said, we endeavor to only edit those posts that point out a minor issue and only in the event that we make the edit before the post has yielded further discussion. Furthermore, when possible, we will strive to acknowledge said poster for their correction.
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*Levels are calculated based on the previous year’s activity.
View Comments
I don't know if it's a generational thing or maybe I'm turning into an old curmudgeon, but I encountered something on my last ride that I think needs to be addressed in the Rules. It could be either an amendment to #84 or perhaps a new rule.
When, on a training ride and you come upon a fellow rider on the side of the road in the midst of a technical issue, you should be morally and legally (according to the Rules) obligated to at least slow down and offer any assistance, even if they seem to have everything in hand.
This is akin to the rules of the sea where any vessel (commercial or otherwise) are legally obligated to answer and respond to another vessel in distress if able.
My situation was I experienced a flat. No problem, I pulled out my new spare tube, but discovered it too had a hole or holes (as it turned out). - this is where I out myself as a breaker of Rule #31 - I then for some reason could not find my patch kit in my (albeit tiny) saddlebag, which I swore I always keep fully stocked and on hand. I was in a bit of a bind when I saw a fellow rider (young guy) approaching, then blow past me without a glance. Fortunately, another ride (much older) offered assistance and donated a couple of patches, then went on his way. I discovered that the tube I patched continued to leak, so I applied the second, which subsequently led me to discover a third hole (I don't think I will ever buy another Axiom tube again!).
I was now feeling in dire straits when another rider came by (young female) and she too just whizzed past. Fortunately, I refused to believe that I didn't have a patch kit, and discovered the tiny kit (camoflaged in dark grease) stuffed in the very back of the bag. I finally repaired the original flat and was putting everything back together when a fourth cyclist (older gentleman) slowed to offer assistance.
I'm not sure if the younger generation just don't understand cycling ediquette or so self absorbed they are oblivious to others, but it was interesting that the older riders were the only ones to offer assistance.
I have been helped and have provided help to other riders. I find it unconscionable that a rider would pass by a fellow cyclist in (apparent or not) distress (roadie or otherwise) and not offer assistance. This brings up another point: 1) make sure you have everything you need to get you back on your bike, but have enough to offer others. I carry a pair of tire irons in my kit even though I don't personally need them, just in case someone requires them. This is also why I prefer hand pumps as opposed to CO2 cartridges.
May the V be strong!
@gottago I think you spotted the common theme....ignorant youngsters. No they are not all like that but with the lessening popularity of cycling clubs and more and more people just buying a bike and getting out on the road, fewer and fewer people understand elements of cycling lore that would just be idoctrinated in to those who found there way through cycling with a club.
Having said that manners and common sense are not the exclusive preserve of mature cyclists, these fuckwits should understand that someone might be in need of a little help. If I saw someone do this I would refuse to ever ride with them.
Now...on a slightly different note, you made several references to your EPMS and I would like to introduce to you the Masturbation Principle
Finally by all means send these ignorant twits to this link for educational training!
http://www.velominati.com/racing/rule-43-dont-be-a-jackass/
@GogglesPizano Is this were we go to do the introduction shtick? I've found a negative correlation between the length of my nonsense and the amount of readers I get, so I'll keep it short.
A friend of mine asked if he could date my ex-girlfriend. "Of course, what's it to me?" Inside, though, it was everything to me. We would, of course, never be friends again and I would avoid him for as long as we both lived. But on the surface, I played it cool. When I received a notification on facebook asking me to support his dream of competing in a triathlon, it immediately became my dream.
I "competed" as a tridork for 2 years until 1 day, after bringing in the Cervelo P3 that I lovingly labored over for countless hours, my wrench and now training partner said to me, "when are you going to get a real bike? You know you need a real bike to race in a real race, right?"
I was hurt at first - most trilosers take themselves way too seriously. But slowly, the post-it note Mike gave me started calling my name louder and louder from my wallet until that March day when I went to Bikereg.com and signed up for 10 races at once (in triathlonopia, if you don't sign up months in advance, you get closed out). A team noticed me, I became addicted to the sport and the rest, as they say, is history.
Love the t shirts, but when is the black tshirt with simply the words 'Harden the F*** Up' with a small v logo in the bottom corner going to be released?
On a totally unrelated note, is anyone else having a problem with "the rules" page. When I click it, just the picture of Merckx and de Vlaeminck comes up. No rules, no comments, no song, no nothing. All the other pages work fine. I am still trying to memorize all the rules so I need to see them for my meditation. Any suggested solutions?
@dancollins
It's working on this end. Try clearing your history?
That worked. Thanks.
@dancollins
I was getting a blank white page when clicking the rules page. All others opened fine. This only occurred on my PC. I'll clear history and try again later.
Hi, as a newby hear I could do with a hand. How do I get my picture up on my profile? Or is this something I have to earn? Sadly computers and myself don't get on, Park don't make a tool to work on PC's.
Ah, just in time for the Vuelta... but still too early to decipher all the pro-nicknames and to even come close to knowing what the hell I'm talking about (although from my lurking I've gathered it's partly about making it up as you go along) I've joined the community.
After a solid quarter century of playing in the dirt with my big wheels I was presented with the opportunity to give road cycling a shot. So in June I purchased a pre-loved Trek 1500 and have proceeded to pimp it out as much as my "budgetatus" status will allow. So far I've managed to drop from a 110 stem with a 10* rise to a 120 with a 7* drop and added a Fizik Arione.
As far as Rules go, I've managed to get over my Rule 29 issues. The bike is Rule 47 non-compliant but so far I haven't touched that little fucker, even when the ramp hits the high teens. Hell, I bought the book and have taken a stab at Rule 33. I'm looking forward to hanging out here - officially. Anyone in YVR looking for a ride when the weather turns, Rule 9.