Hinault explores the second of the Fundamental Fives: technical skill.

Physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The conservation law extend beyond the physical world and into mystical where the V and Anti-V are also in a constant fight for balance. The Ancients on Mount Velomis understood this well, and taught that the Anti-V expresses itself within the universe as two principle kinds of weakness and that in response there are two fundamental Fives to counter them.

The first is weakness of the mind; this sort of weakness is expressed through pain as it the weakness is converted into muscular and mental strength through Training Properly and quieting the signals that tell you to stop as you learn to use your mind to drive your body beyond its perceived limits.  This is the First Five, and the most commonly recognized form of The V.

The second weakness requires introspection and discipline: it is recognition of the flaws in our technical skills. To be a complete rider, we must be skilled in all aspects of Cycling, we must find areas where we need to improve our skills and work hard at them until they become a strength. These weaknesses can be difficult to recognize and usually requires a Sensei for guidance. It takes humility, practice, and a willingness to fail time and again until finally we break through and conquer them. The willingness to shed our pride and fail in pursuit of perfection is the Second Five; it is never ending – as we improve in one area, we must find another weakness and work to raise our skill in that area. It is only through total commitment to always recognize our flaws that we will continue to improve to become a better Velominatus.

May 5th approaches, V.V. The Ancients called it Die Congnoscentus, or the Day of the Five. It is the Velominati New Year and a chance for reflection, a chance to celebrate the convergence of the Two Fives. We must always remember that we are all Pedalwans, that we all have much more to learn, and that improvement is a journey with no end. It is a day to renew our resolve to work at our weaknesses until they become strengths.

Go with Merckx fellow Pedalwans; Vive la Vie Velominatus.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

View Comments

  • Feel as though I would have heard this message (solemn voice) from the mesh window of a confessional.

  • @unversio

    Feel as though I would have heard this message (solemn voice) from the mesh window of a confessional.

    From the mesh window of a confessional or the rolled down window of a team car?

  • Frank, good Merckx would the world be a better place if everyone read and acted on this. Unfortunately the typical American would view their weaknesses as making too much of a mess when eating Doritos.

  • @Haldy

    @unversio

    Feel as though I would have heard this message (solemn voice) from the mesh window of a confessional.

    From the mesh window of a confessional or the rolled down window of a team car?

    If folding onto team car, officials would be watching and a rider would catch only a confusing preface "Physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. (Yeah) This conservation of energy extends beyond the physical world and into mystical where The V and Anti-V are also in a constant fight for balance. (Fuck) The Ancients on Mount Velomis understood this well, and taught that The Anti-V expresses itself within the universe..." (time up)

  • I'm thinking when I see that picture: Hinault setting the bar for style. Shoes, socks, shorts, polka dot skinsuit, crochet-back gloves, yellow cap on backwards because it's a TT and it's more aero = perfection.

    I'm thinking it's stage 14 in the 1978 tour. Hence # 131. Hinault's first tour. He'd start as #1 in 1979. It was a 52 kms mountain TT which Zoetemelk won with Hinault 1:40 back. He had to change bikes after apparently hitting a spectator. Stage 20 was a 72 kms TT which Hinault won by 4 minutes, thus gaining revenge, the yellow jersey and the race.

    I'm thinking we can look at the greats and learn. Always.

  • @unversio

    @Haldy

    @unversio

    Feel as though I would have heard this message (solemn voice) from the mesh window of a confessional.

    From the mesh window of a confessional or the rolled down window of a team car?

    If folding onto team car, officials would be watching and a rider would catch only a confusing preface "Physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. (Yeah) This conservation of energy extends beyond the physical world and into mystical where The V and Anti-V are also in a constant fight for balance. (Fuck) The Ancients on Mount Velomis understood this well, and taught that The Anti-V expresses itself within the universe..." (time up)

    Well...maybe it would take a trip( or two) back to collect bottles to get the whole message through via the team car. It also occurred to me that it could be uttered by the wizened old ex racer/shop owner in the dark corner back near the tubulars in said bike shop...

  • Such late notice?! I only have one week to prepare!

    Huh, that is the Badger? He looks really skinny there, maybe early in his career before the Guns reached full bloom.

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