You are correct (or close enough). I *might* have used “The Prophet”. I dunno. I think I just meant to delete the 2nd “to” and blew it.

@xyxax
The Velominatus Temerity prayer. I love it!

Step 1) We admitted our guns were powerless, and that our lives had become unmanageable without The Rules.
Step 2) Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves (The V) could restore us.
Step 3) Made a decision to turn our will and our rides over to the care of The Keepers as if we understood The Five and Dime.
Step 4) Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our Guns.
Step 5) Admitted to , to ourselves and to another Velominati the exact nature of our weakness.
Step 6) Were entirely ready to have The Keepers point out all these defects of cycling etiquette.
Step 7) Humbly asked Fränk to forgive our Rule Violations.
Step 8) Made a list of all cyclists we had harmed (Rule #2 & #3)and became willing to make it up to them at the next Cogal.
Step 9) Made direct amends to said cyclists with a Recovery Beverage, except when to do so would be also be a Rule #43 violation.
Step 10) Continued to take personal inventory of our Guns when we were weak promptly admitted it and went for a Rule #9 ride.
Step 11)Sought through meditation on Rule #10 to improve our Guns and understanding of being a Hardman, praying only for course knowledge of the the next ride and The V to Ride like a Lion!
Step 12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of The Rules, we tried to carry this message to other cyclists, and to practice these principles on all of our Rides.

A-Merckx

Mother’s Day, Schmother’s Day. I went out and rode 106 miles. (I did, however, have dinner with mum the day before.)

Sorry for the Rule #24 violation. That should have read 171km.

I’m glad I sidestepped that landmine, and congratulations on being 16 years sober.

Thank you, sir!

@eightzero
That is a thing of beauty, man!

@ChrisO

And are there other non-addictive Velominati, or am I the weirdo ?

You are, as we say in 12-step meetings, a “normie”. I find that to be a great quality. Enjoy it until senility steps in. =)

@minion
Okay, I thought I was bad, trying for the Strava Twice the Tour challenge and spending 4+ hours a day trying to get my minimum mileage in… (until being forced to take a rest day) This guy is completely mental. I’d hate to see what happens when (not if, but WHEN) he gets injured.

@Cyclops

What have I wanted to do all day (but can’t because it’s Mother’s Day)? Ride my fucking bike.

Mother’s Day, Schmother’s Day. I went out and rode 106 miles. (I did, however, have dinner with mum the day before.)

@mcsqueak

Office jobs have a “special” way of making you feel xhausted even though you generally sit on your ass infront of a computer all day…

Completely agree. I have no idea how this happens, but I feel less like doing anything when I come home from my office job than when I come home from doing construction or landscaping.

That feeling of exhaustion is the feeling of your soul being slowly crushed into a fine powder. Happens to all of us. Nothing even a quick jaunt on the bike won’t fix.

Addiction demonstrated for me this weekend by a friday night spent vomiting for no apparent reason leaving me f*cked and unable to race on saturday, so I did a gentle training ride solo after failing to convince anyone to join me, where I promptly fell off for the first time in tenty years.

Classic withdrawl symtoms, matey.

Didn’t feel anything the next day, so did an hour of intervals in preperation for this weekend’s treat – two day /3-stage race. After a nearly 20-year racing hiatus, I am loving being back in the ring.

Exceptionally strong work. Welcome back!

I came across some research recently that says that people who exercise a lot, are actually at a higher risk of falling into other addictions. It’s about the order. Starting to exercise can help you get over addictions, but if you have exercised for a long time, you are at risk of getting addicted to other things.

How Exercise Can Prime the Brain for Addiction, NYT, April 11, 2012

A 55-hour a week job with travel, and a family with 2 small kids keeps me in check.

Office jobs have a “special” way of making you feel xhausted even though you generally sit on your ass infront of a computer all day…

Completely agree. I have no idea how this happens, but I feel less like doing anything when I come home from my office job than when I come home from doing construction or landscaping.

@cyclops, I prescribe attendance at the Seattle Summer Cogal. It will put you in the right frame of mind. In?

Maybe, if I don’t live in Kentucky by then.

So I finished out last season with a Cat 5 RR State Championship (doesn’t say much for the state of Idaho I guess) and an upgrade to Cat 4. The winter was spent not putting on any extra pounds. Plodding away on the trainer 2-3 hours at a time watching old VCR tapes of various Grand Tours and Spring Classics. A Christmas present of six months of coaching from a racer that was seen driving the front of the peloton at the U.S. Pro Cycling Challenge a time or two had me chomping at the bit for the local racing season to begin to try out the larger caliber guns and see what double the training hours had wrought. Whoever said that Cat 4 is not much different than Cat 5 must not have been 50 years old and 25 pounds overweight. First race: DNF, second race: DFL (Dead Fucking Last). Yesterday was my third race – a race that I have won before. Last year I got in a ten man break and finished fifth in the bunch sprint. What did I get yesterday? Off the back and DFL!

What have I wanted to do all day (but can’t because it’s Mother’s Day)? Ride my fucking bike.

I need help.

Thanks for letting me vent. I feel a little better now.

quite reasonable till you realise his hips are fucked.

@Velosophe

I frequently ask myself the deathbed question – when I’m on my deathbed, what will I regret/what would I have rather been doing? Cycling doesn’t get answered in the negative at all.

@seemunkee

@eightzero
Nice job! When’s the production run?

There is a company that makes bar plugs as a one-off run for anyone. 8-0 made up a set for him and for me (*blush*) but they are hella pricey. There is also a nutter in Oz who has worked out how to manufacture these things in a 3d printer and the samples are on their way to me. They will almost certainly be cheaper, but I haven’t seen them. Can’t wait, obviously. Maybe we will even offer them both. V-plugs are coming either way, or from two sides.

I think I know that nutter in Oz. He posted samples earlier here;
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#comment-86490

Like @frank pointed out, they are hella spendy. But…I had to have a set, and given all that @frank has given me by having this site, I figured he had t have a set too. But…if you gotta have em, contact Kristina Bowcut at purelycustom.com.

They do look fucking great. Now I just gotta get up the guts to get the Man With the Hammer tattooed on my right gun:

@G’phant
Spot on. Sorry to hear about your foot, heal up fast.

@eightzero
Nice job! When’s the production run?

There is a company that makes bar plugs as a one-off run for anyone. 8-0 made up a set for him and for me (*blush*) but they are hella pricey. There is also a nutter in Oz who has worked out how to manufacture these things in a 3d printer and the samples are on their way to me. They will almost certainly be cheaper, but I haven’t seen them. Can’t wait, obviously. Maybe we will even offer them both. V-plugs are coming either way, or from two sides.

All-consuming passing that dominates every waking hour? Check. [Why else would we log on here as soon as we came in from a ride?]

Adverse effects on friends and family? Check. [Rule 11. Need I say more?]

Encourages dangerous behavior? Check. [Anyone NOT been knocked off by an SUV, separated their shoulder, had their foot slide under a car wheel when crashing on a main road, subjected both wrists to more x-rays and MRI scans than they care to recall after a spill, lost skin, hurt back and strained neck … all in the last two years?]

Distinctive appearance which differentiates the addict from “normal” society? Check. [Lycra. I rest my case.]

Self-help support groups exist to assist? Check. [Er, isn’t that why we’re here?]

Obvious and embarrassing side-effects? Check. [Rule 33. ‘Nuf said.]

Terrible side-effects of withdrawal? Check. [Seven weeks and counting off bike with a broken foot – I am past the irritable stage and well into the fat one.]

But, as the posts here attest, if it’s an addiction it is one more people should get. I would rather spend my money and time on bikes and physios [and the occasional orthopod (operation on foot looking increasingly likely)] than on golf and cardiologists; I would rather look at a hill with a wistful “I’d love to suffer up that” thought than a “fuck that, let’s drive” thought; I would rather have people laugh at my shaved legs than at my fat arse. Besides which, above all else, I love to ride.

As much as this whole article was written with tongue firmly in cheek, there is an element of sincerity to it (as with most of what happens here) – and you nailed it perfectly. Once again, you have put down in a few thoughts what I was trying to say in a poorly articulated load of paragraphs. Ah well, we all work to our strengths. I do, after all, have a full head of hair.

All-consuming passing that dominates every waking hour? Check. [Why else would we log on here as soon as we came in from a ride?]

Adverse effects on friends and family? Check. [Rule 11. Need I say more?]

Encourages dangerous behavior? Check. [Anyone NOT been knocked off by an SUV, separated their shoulder, had their foot slide under a car wheel when crashing on a main road, subjected both wrists to more x-rays and MRI scans than they care to recall after a spill, lost skin, hurt back and strained neck … all in the last two years?]

Distinctive appearance which differentiates the addict from “normal” society? Check. [Lycra. I rest my case.]

Self-help support groups exist to assist? Check. [Er, isn’t that why we’re here?]

Obvious and embarrassing side-effects? Check. [Rule 33. ‘Nuf said.]

Terrible side-effects of withdrawal? Check. [Seven weeks and counting off bike with a broken foot – I am past the irritable stage and well into the fat one.]

But, as the posts here attest, if it’s an addiction it is one more people should get. I would rather spend my money and time on bikes and physios [and the occasional orthopod (operation on foot looking increasingly likely)] than on golf and cardiologists; I would rather look at a hill with a wistful “I’d love to suffer up that” thought than a “fuck that, let’s drive” thought; I would rather have people laugh at my shaved legs than at my fat arse. Besides which, above all else, I love to ride.

Brilliant.

My guess is we all have a bit of an addictive personality otherwise why do we all keep logging in every day…..

@RedRanger

@mcsqueak
We’re does school fall in there? That’s my biggest obstacle. Then I gotta work cause I have bills. Then I gotta study cause of school. Then I gotta clean, do laundry and sleep. I’m royally fucked guys. Every time I look at my bike I have pangs in my heart. I keep hoping to turn that around soon.

When I was training for Keepers Tour, I was working 50 or more hours a week for my job, writing for the site, making all the arrangements for the trip, getting the flag, V-Pint glasses (which have resurfaced by the way), V-Shirts etc designed and made up…another 40 or more hours went into that easily. I found the only way I could get on the bike was by treating it like a work activity and just scheduling it with everything else. Its the only way.

Or do as @mcsqueak says and commute. Problem solved. And you’d be amazed at how little extra time it takes.

My standard work week is 55 hrs without overtime and with two kids under five, training has always been a challenge. I am amazed you can hold down a day job and run the site, chapeau! About a year ago I started commuting to work on the bike (30 mins each way) and then getting on a spinning bike for 40 min interval sessions at lunch, plus one 3 hr ride per weekend and my times and fitness have improved immensely. For me it’s all about finding a balance that I can maintain but also being brutal ie: if someone tries to book a business lunch telling them that unless they want to eat on the bike next to me not a chance. I do agree however that when you have a goal, it makes choosing the bike against all the other demands easier so the group I cycle with does one monster ride each 3 months with bragging rights to keep us all motivated.

But, as the posts here attest, if it’s an addiction it is one more people should get. I would rather spend my money and time on bikes and physios [and the occasional orthopod (operation on foot looking increasingly likely)] than on golf and cardiologists; I would rather look at a hill with a wistful “I’d love to suffer up that” thought than a “fuck that, let’s drive” thought; I would rather have people laugh at my shaved legs than at my fat arse. Besides which, above all else, I love to ride.

Amen! Good luck on the foot.

Adverse effects on friends and family? Check. [Rule 11. Need I say more?]

Encourages dangerous behavior? Check. [Anyone NOT been knocked off by an SUV, separated their shoulder, had their foot slide under a car wheel when crashing on a main road, subjected both wrists to more x-rays and MRI scans than they care to recall after a spill, lost skin, hurt back and strained neck … all in the last two years?]

Distinctive appearance which differentiates the addict from “normal” society? Check. [Lycra. I rest my case.]

Self-help support groups exist to assist? Check. [Er, isn’t that why we’re here?]

Obvious and embarrassing side-effects? Check. [Rule 33. ‘Nuf said.]

Terrible side-effects of withdrawal? Check. [Seven weeks and counting off bike with a broken foot – I am past the irritable stage and well into the fat one.]

But, as the posts here attest, if it’s an addiction it is one more people should get. I would rather spend my money and time on bikes and physios [and the occasional orthopod (operation on foot looking increasingly likely)] than on golf and cardiologists; I would rather look at a hill with a wistful “I’d love to suffer up that” thought than a “fuck that, let’s drive” thought; I would rather have people laugh at my shaved legs than at my fat arse. Besides which, above all else, I love to ride.

I think the two are definitely closely related, and I suspect the difference has to do with control and the associated negative impact of the dependency. And, I think addiction implies a chemical dependency so I think the only time that’s really true is if our bodies are producing a chemical or if someone is overly attached to their electrolyte mix.

But @ChrisO – I would say your description shows a lot of control that I don’t naturally have. I definitely want to keep drinking beer or wine until the supply is gone. Its only discipline that keeps me from doing that – in that regard, I have an addictive personality. I’m not one for half measures, and I do everything to the absolute maximum I can get away with. Am I actually chemically, physically, or physiologically addicted to Cycling? Probably not. But I’ve also never tried to quit and I don’t want to.

When I got home put my stand up in the driveway and laid out the parts for my buddies new SS (photos over on “Bikes”) and started assembling it the VMH said “you’re totally in your element now aren’t you?” My friend has had the frame for over a year and been slowly gathering parts. As I was wrapping the Fi’zi:k bar tape, I could sense the excitement he had for putting the tires to the road. In a sense, I passed the addiction on to another. I’m not sorry about that at all, and the last thing on my mind was spring. With absolutely no offense to anyone recovering “I got my fix” and I can’t wait for the one I get today.

Crazy!

That reminds me of what is perhaps the critical component of judging whether any behavior is addictive: harm to other areas of life due to the behavior. Damage to health, family/social relations, career and finances should all be considered.

For a cycling enthusiast, financial harm is an easy area to point the finger to. I myself walk a fine line with that one. But with few bills to pay, and no wife or kids, prioritizing my finances towards what I am passionate about seems justifiable enough. I tell myself, if I one day have the ‘wife and kids budget’, I will be glad I amassed a small mountain of bike schwag while I could.

One interesting thing about my love of cycling is that it is family and generational. My mother and her sister were/are cycling fanatics and in the sixties they, nine first cousins and one husband would ride 85 km round trip to the beach 2 or 3 times a summer. They also commuted always and my aunt at age 80+ is still riding everywhere!

Out of the nine only two of us have the bug (my cousin got me into competition) and since childhood I have always had a bike except for 2 years at a hippie high school (emphasis on the high).

If I do not ride I am not unhappy but always I would rather ride than do anything else – I hate gyms/workouts, swimming is boring, walking except for in the woods is slow. Cycling in any form is good.

However, I have never been so into something giving it up made me sick, so perhaps I’ve never had an addiction?

I really don’t want to try and find out by giving up my main vices, which I would class in rough order of importance as riding, beer, coffee and cycling forums.

Essentially this is all about semantics until one actually attempts to give up a vice/fixation/dependence/addiction…

I think you’re being entirely too reasonable. To be fair, addiction is probably an intentionally strong word to use for the cycling passions of most, if not all, of us. Physical addiction requires physical withdrawal symptoms/illness. The line between psychological addiction and ‘strong inclination’ or preference for something, however, seems to be a bit less distinct and I’m not sure what the criteria are exactly. Many people claim ‘psychological addiction’ to marijuana, for instance, but I think it just takes the right motivational circumstances to sack up and get over it.

Personally, my experience with substances roughly mirrors yours, however I never got into cigarettes, and tend to drink one or two more beers than is prudent on most evenings. I do have people in my extended family who struggle with addiction, however, and they do seem to fixate on certain things aside from just drugs – typically social/financial drama.

I’ve never been an addictive type. I smoked cigarettes for a year and gave up, I smoked dope for years and gave up, I drink in the evenings and stop at two glasses. My training tends to be pretty consistent, whatever is going on – 10,000kms a year, year in year out.

I love riding and would certainly be annoyed and unhappy if I couldn’t ride for some reason, but I would probably set about finding something else to do.

I’m not saying this with a sense of superiority – just a sense of difference. I find it hard to understand the impulses and needs of addiction, which is why I’d be interested to know if it extends into other areas of people’s lives.

And are there other non-addictive Velominati, or am I the weirdo ?

Addiction is a bitch. And so is withdrawal!

In the months leading up to my unit’s deployment to Afghanistan, I felt the year-long void approaching my guns, the enormous gravity of which breeds an anxiety one can only classify as a “known unknown.” It seemed only with this looming withdrawal was I able to get some decent mileage in, setting aside [if only partially] the daily excessive alcohol intake which is virtually codified in the service contract of a lower-enlisted Infantryman.

And here I am, 6 months in – the halfway point. Somehow, withdrawal has not gotten any easier. In fact, it’s much worse. Somehow, I am more addicted now than ever before. 6 months of tax-free earnings and hazardous duty pay – nearly entirely squandered on a mountainous bounty of cycling goods awaiting my return to the states. Every night, while my comrades are calling their loved ones on the satellite phone, there I am on the computer next to the phone, researching ever-more hair-brained fantasies of possible minute reconfigurations of the bike build I’ve already finalized after ump-teen hours of research, revision, and ebay purchasing. And yet I still don’t know – will the saddle I chose be a vicious ass-hatchet, or a proper Velominatus Throne? How horribly will I mess up my first tubular glue job? White cable housing or black? Cross them under the downtube or preserve angle of entry into BB cable guide? Perhaps these bidons will match the frame better. And oh, looky, a SLAM THAT STEM headset bearing cover… It never ends.

In two weeks I’ll be back home for 15 days of R&R – hardly enough time to tune-up the guns, but enough time to build up this dream steed, take in a deep drag from the The V pipe, and get spit off the back of a training crit. Relapse has never sounded so good.

I might as well be Tyrone Biggums with a crack rock dangling from a stick in front of my face.

@eightzero

Sweet!

I’ve had this habit for nearly 30 yrs now with no sign of ever being close to being “clean”. Sure, I’ve had some short periods where I haven’t fed that habit. I even put the weight back on but, sure as the sun comes up, I’m back looking to “get on” as soon as possible. My family has spoken to me about the “problem” to no avail….
Mrs. Ciclista has told me I would rather spend more time “gettin’ on the gear” than getting on her (wink, wink! This is highly debatable by the way!).

I’ve spent hours on the stuff at a time. I can’t help it, the highs are just too good. The come down after a really good sesh’ can be debilitating but I’m back at it the next day as soon as I can get on. I reckon I’ve spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on the stuff over the years. Sure, I’ve got something to show for it but I can never get enough. I need to score more and more constantly. I have “dealers” everywhere ready and willing to sell me more shit. Fuck, I can even order this shit on-line without anyone even knowing what the fuck I’m doing or what I look like! I even watch other people doing this shit live on-line as well (yes, yes, go harder, faster, oh god, don’t stop you fucker) just to satisfy the craving.

Will my addiction ever stop? Merckx, I hope not nor do I need help. I just want to live my life the way it suits me and enjoying my habit till my dying days. In fact, if I was to OD whilst on the gear, then my life will not have been wasted at all.
thank you all.
(some sobs, some cheers and some nods in agreement from the Velominati)

Got a job for the summer with 48hr/wk probably do an hour over everyday so more like 54, no clue how I’m going to feel for riding next week.

@Buck Rogers, @Xyverz
Its funny; I’ve never had to warm up. I can just hit it right from the start; maybe – MAYBE – I need 5 or 10 minutes to find a rhythm, but that’s all.

I do find, however, that once I swell up the guns with lactic acid once, I have much more power the rest of the ride, so I usually try to hit a hill hard early on, just to get the engine running.

Not so much a need for a warm up (although i always do ten minutes easy to start a ride) but it usually takes about thirty minutes before the the rush of endorphins hits me like something from “the Needle and the Damage Done”. I usually push pretty hard after the first ten minutes, but that euphoric wave at around thirty minutes is stunning to me. Total junkie right here, man.

Actually, it’s funny: on a couple of recent rides out of town””the Wisconsin mini-Cogal and recently down near Hamilton, NY””I found I wasn’t quite right, and realized I hadn’t taken in a decent-sized hill to get the ride started. Once I’d got a bit of climbing in my legs, the rest of the ride sorted itself out. I think @frank‘s comment is about right: breaking through that first wall early helps the body to adjust to the rigours of a hard ride.

Yeah that’s the downside of my area, there are hills if I *want* them, but plenty of flat to tempt me into being a lazy bum. Some days I’m compelled to hit a climb and then move on to the next one, and other days I just sort of feel meh about them, and wuss out. And since climbing is one of my many weaknesses, that is not the best for personal development on the bike!

@RedRanger
If the ride is not a part of the routine, it’s easy to be too busy (or too tired). I typically ride in the morning, not because I have free time then, but because I make it the day’s priority. I’m constrained by having three very good reasons not to adhere to Rule #11 (four if you count Mrs. Steampunk, too), but there are always ways to fit it in. Not always the longest ride, but even a quick 20k loop is the right way to start the day before a 9:00 class or meeting.

@Buck Rogers, @Xyverz
Its funny; I’ve never had to warm up. I can just hit it right from the start; maybe – MAYBE – I need 5 or 10 minutes to find a rhythm, but that’s all.

I do find, however, that once I swell up the guns with lactic acid once, I have much more power the rest of the ride, so I usually try to hit a hill hard early on, just to get the engine running.

I find this is the case as well, but I like to take it easy for a little longer than 10 mins. Sometimes I sort of feel like crap until I get going – like you said, I need to get a climb in or some hard sustained work to really get into the groove and warmed up.

@RedRanger

@Ron
The catch for me is that school is actually a 40 hour a week gig. 25 credits a semester. 16 in the summer. I’m on a fixed program. No wiggle room on my classes. Then add a part time job. It’s gettin rather stressful and cycling would help but then time is a massive issue. On the upside after Monday I have a 2 week break. I am beyond excited about it.

Yeah I think that’s a tough part of those very focused programs, you have to stick with their setup. When I was at university I only took 12 or 14 credit hours a term (3 classes) typically, and worked 35/hrs a week at The Sharper Image at the local mall to support myself. I felt like I had a lot more time back then, even though I was doing some combo of working/school/schoolwork 7 days a week. My last 3 classes I took spread out over an entire year, because I had been hired for an actual non-retail job before I graduated.

Office jobs have a “special” way of making you feel exhausted even though you generally sit on your ass infront of a computer all day…

Its funny; I’ve never had to warm up.

Well who did when they were in their thirties, FFS?
From the deep end of my fifties, I can say the addiction still burns on, maybe not as bright but it’s still the addiction of choice. Thoughts of N+1 never leave and you’ll need a least 10km to warm up. Get psyched.

@mcsqueak
We’re does school fall in there? That’s my biggest obstacle. Then I gotta work cause I have bills. Then I gotta study cause of school. Then I gotta clean, do laundry and sleep. I’m royally fucked guys. Every time I look at my bike I have pangs in my heart. I keep hoping to turn that around soon.

When I was training for Keepers Tour, I was working 50 or more hours a week for my job, writing for the site, making all the arrangements for the trip, getting the flag, V-Pint glasses (which have resurfaced by the way), V-Shirts etc designed and made up…another 40 or more hours went into that easily. I found the only way I could get on the bike was by treating it like a work activity and just scheduling it with everything else. Its the only way.

Or do as @mcsqueak says and commute. Problem solved. And you’d be amazed at how little extra time it takes.

@tessar

I realized how much I sympathize with this article when I noticed my hand was squeezing my quads without thinking. Mine have grown soft this month, too.

I find myself doing it with my hands in my pockets, leaning against a wall while I’m having a discussion. Feeling for the fibers in my legs while the muscles are tensioned from standing. It is really, really – really – not a good thing. Really must stop. I can’t imagine what it looks like. Well. No. I can imagine what it looks like.

Pocket pinball?

I realized how much I sympathize with this article when I noticed my hand was squeezing my quads without thinking. Mine have grown soft this month, too.

I find myself doing it with my hands in my pockets, leaning against a wall while I’m having a discussion. Feeling for the fibers in my legs while the muscles are tensioned from standing. It is really, really – really – not a good thing. Really must stop. I can’t imagine what it looks like. Well. No. I can imagine what it looks like.

@Ali McKee

Still haven’t shave my legs tho….

This boggles my mind – not just from you, but anyone who doesn’t shave. I’ve shaved them so long I can’t figure out how it would be to have hairy legs.

This addiction we have is most noticeable during times of turmoil in our lives. During the last few months we sold our home and bought an under construction home back in the town we are from. Among all of the details (including trying to find employment) the one thing that has been a constant is the ride, and yes it helps that a goal is in sight but I would have to ride to avoid going insane anyway. So the addiction, which is insanity in itself just helps us not be insane in other ways.

Totally, mate; its been a wickedly stressful month or so since getting back from Keepers Tour; usually Velominati’s work load spikes and so does my actual job, but usually not together. Well, they are both spiking right now and its a real killer. But it passes. I’m lucky to have such problems.

@RedRanger, @Campagnolo Vince!
I think its working again – let me know if you’re having a hard time still. I actually may have just resolved a bigger problem with the site that’s been nagging at me. Strange.

It went thru…

@Campagnolo Vince!
I hate computers. Firing up the IDE to have a look…

I am still just a caveman — that can restart a computer (Mac).

I do find, however, that once I swell up the guns with lactic acid once, I have much more power the rest of the ride, so I usually try to hit a hill hard early on, just to get the engine running.

@frank
Yeaauuh “” doing the double-submit, back, then refresh. It works.

Yup. That’s what I’ve been doing.

…like crack or reading.

Or spending too much time chatting on the internet with other men who shave their legs and wear tight lycra.

Or waiting for yet another entertaining fight between @minion and @Marcus.

Or watching bike racing live on my computer instead of getting ready for work.

Or working.

Or bathing.

Or watching Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver (video) — well here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYDfwUJzYQg
Couldn’t pass you up Jeff.

As a recovering addict with 16+ years clean and sober, I’m going to just say this: after my battle with chemical dependancy, cycling is a FAR better focus for me than the substances ever were. =)

As a semi-professional drinker, I’ve always thought I could deal with being diagnosed as being an alcoholic in every regard except wine. I just really – really – love wine. The taste, the smell, selecting a bottle, storing and aging a bottle…its beautiful.

I’m glad I sidestepped that landmine, and congratulations on being 16 years sober.

I’m worried how wife, kids, housework will but into my riding time though. We’ll see shortly!

School? I’ve done been grad-e-aited for something like 5 years now. Just the job and the VMH to fill my time, so I’m pretty lucky in that way. Though I have found commuting to work makes it a lot easier to get in miles without having to rush home after work to try and catch the last daylight of the evening.

Or waiting for yet another entertaining fight between @minion and @Marcus.

I knew it. The Abbot and Costello of Velominati.

Likewise, I’m sure as shit not addicted to spelling correctly.

@Oli

Stop enabling me, you pack of junkies!!

After the pic of Yates looking like Sickboy from trainspotting, then this article, I’m beginnning to wonder what I’ve gotten myself into – but to continue the trainspotting analogy, if anyone’s mother superior (the dealer from aforementioned movie) round here it’s gotta be Oli – just look at his man cave! Probably like being on smack, being in there, if you’re a cyclist. Not that I’d know about smack.

Or spending too much time chatting on the internet with other men who shave their legs and wear tight lycra.

Or waiting for yet another entertaining fight between @minion and @Marcus.

Or watching bike racing live on my computer instead of getting ready for work.

Or working.

Or bathing.

I managed to double my time spent in the saddle, double my kms ridden, and tripled my meters climbed in April this year vs April last year.

PRIORITIES PEOPLE! Work? Family? Pffft. Rule #11.

After seeing the pictures of the V-crew at the Merckx velodrome i was intriqued to give it a go myself

3 weeks ago i went to the track for the first time , rented a bike and tried not to make an ass of myself but enjoyed the experience

Fast forward to today, weather has been shit all week and i got carried away …. got my first 65 km on my very first personal track bike during a 2 hour session ; i am baffeled by the ease at wich you can ride 40 kph for 50 minutes on just one gear

Next goal, shed the equivalent of a keg of beer in weight and get myself in some sort of climbing condition , i booked a 3 day trip to the Stelvio mid September .

And like the KT attendees, after a trip of 8 straight days of glorious riding all I worry about is losing fitness and getting out for a decent ride

Such is this life seemingly

Still haven’t shave my legs tho….