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.

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  • V Day falls on a Bank Holiday here in the UK. Absolutely no excuses to not get and meet the man with the Hammer!

  • @VeloJello I suspect the man with the hammer would catch me within yards of setting out on V Day - Mrs Chris and I are off to Warsaw for the weekend with some friends but no kids. Monday will be a true recovery day.

    The V Month however will be blessed with an abundance of V - as of Tuesday or Wednesday I'm on Gardening Leave before starting a new job in June. If I can't get properly fit by then there is no hope for me.

  • @Chris Well I managed to get some browny points decorating over the weekend so I could get the day out on V V Day. The pic was taken on Route 1 between Lynemouth and Cresswell. A gorgeous road that hugs the coast and has some of the best tarmac I've ridden in a long time. I was aiming for 105km, but ended up at 106 and a bit km after getting lost at one point! http://app.strava.com/activities/137677359

  • @VeloJello Strong work. That's stunning countryside but it looks like it could get brutally windy!

    Hoping to start my gardening leave training tomorrow but I'm a bit afraid that the weekends excesses are going to hurt. The Warsaw diet included lots of vodka and little in the way of salad!

  • @VeloJello   Nice - The VMW come from that area (a bit to the south - Boldon), I'm going to have to bring the bike next time I go up there.

  • @Teocalli Brill! You'll get to ride through the historic pedestrian and bike tunnel under the Tyne too (if you've not already) as that ride is North of the river.  I'm considering trying to organise a North East Cogal at some point this year...

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    In 1789, employee orientation and training did not exist.
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