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.
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@Gianni can you check your email.
Thanks
and @frank definitely faster and stays logged in know from any of my devices.
Been lurking for a while now. A ride last night (and reflections thereon) inspired me to join.
The Ride Starts on Time
I went for a ride yesterday. Short, but solid and focused on a Category 3 climb (a respectable feat for a relative neophyte). I had planned on going with a friend of mine, but that plan unraveled at the last minute (well, 30 minutes after the last minute).
Here on the East Coast of the US, it's getting dark early. Not a big deal, I thought. My companion recently purchase a 180 lumen behemoth, and I had been counting on that to assuage my fears of visibility. When it became apparent that he wouldn't be able to ride along, I decided to go it alone. Sunset was predicted for 6:01 PM, it was 5:30 and I knew I'd be getting back around 7:00. Dusk, twilight and then nightfall, but I'd be rolling back into the driveway without spending too much time in the true dark of the night. And I was prepared: Two headlights, a taillight and an incredibly Hi-vis Louis Garneau jersey. I would be seen so I set out.
As the ground under my wheels began to undulate higher and more frequently, the colors of New England autumn started to wash to gray in the fading light. The definition of 'the gloaming' I thought to myself. Fear, like the darkness around me, was setting in. But I wasn't turning back, despite hearing the voice of South Park's Thumper in my head: "You're going to have a bad time."
Before long, the hill was in front of me; it's initial 17% pitch so steep my headlight appeared to be illuminating a wall in front of me. Up I went, too focused on my legs to be concerned with the sun's location relative to the horizon. By the time I'd crested however, the sides of the road were being lost to the shadows and the rest disappeared quickly from there. There are no streetlights out in farm country, and my lights did nothing to illuminate my path. My descents were slow and careful, and my thoughts singularly hoping that each dark patch I rode over was fresh pavement, and not the gaping voids they might be. I was scared. Not of the dark, not of the fact that black bear sitings aren't unheard of in my literal neck of the woods, and not even of cars. I couldn't see much of anything at this point. I had no idea where the side of the road was, and in the dark turns are deceptive. The saving grace of all of this was that there really is very little traffic on backwoods roads and I went by more cars coming towards me that passed me from the rear. (This was a mixed blessing though. While I didn't have to worry about taking up the road or getting flattened, these dark streets necessitate the use of high beams - a blinding occurrence, further obscuring my scant vision.)
As I rode back into town, the increasing frequency of streetlights eased my mind. "I'm alive and I'm staying that way tonight." I arrived home, to find my wife on edge about my ride in the dark and relieved to see me. "How was your late-night ride?" she asked. I responded, "That was profoundly fucking stupid."
@SamV start rides at V:am. That way you finish in day light before traffic starts to build.
New guy here. Hope to be a worthy member. Old school steel is my horse. Pinarello SL Treviso. Campy Chorus
Keepers and Velominati; Have a great Christmas.
I like the website updates, I can login and not have to refresh 6 times for it to take effect
Another new guy here, coinciding with the larmchair of the new site, but in no form whatsoever is that a causal relationship.bern visiting for a while now.
Aluminium bike here, my first. What I lack in years (not) riding, I hope to compensate in enthusiasm.
Help! Unable to order V gear. Link to PayPal not working also unable to log on.
Really not sure where to post this, especially as I didn't want to post in Rides section with ChrisO's news but, for those of us, and there will likely be many, who have enjoyed the culture, coffee and camaraderie of Cafe Domestique, here is some unfortunate news about its closing:
http://m.thespec.com/news-story/5238607-dundas-caf-bids-farewell-with-new-year-s-eve-bash/