La Vie Velominatus: Romanticization

A sculpture pays tribute to the Tour de France and its rich history in these mountains.

I’m often told I romanticize Cycling’s past, that the days gone by weren’t quite as rosy as I make them out to be. There is some truth to this, certainly, but the assertion isn’t entirely accurate in the sense that I romanticize everything about Cycling.

Because events are seasoned by our thoughts and individual experience, we necessarily cannot see them for what they truly were. The thoughts that pass through our mind when looking at an old or new photograph, a race, or when we go for a ride influences the way it is remembered and the significance it holds.

Our minds are very good at forgetting pain and remembering pleasure; it isn’t very long after an experience that negative associations begin to fade and positive ones to amplify. This psychological mechanism is the gateway to romanticization. Certainly, I remember that climbing Haleakala last January was a horrible experience, but I’ve managed to forget what that means precisely. On the other hand, the memory of accomplishing a task that turned out to be much harder than I had anticipated lingers strongly; I find myself drawn back to the mountain for the chance to experience once more the purity that touches us briefly when we persevere despite total exhaustion.

Romanticizing encourages us to study the past, to appreciate how things were, and provides the opportunity to learn from the mistakes others have made. It reminds us that things were not always as they are today and that those things we wish were different may be so tomorrow. It helps us forget that many long hours of suffering are balanced only by brief moments of exhilaration. It helps us to dream, to imagine what could be.

Do the great races of the past seem more glorious than they were? Perhaps. Does the sunlight’s glint off a chromed chainstay blind me to the weight of the bicycle and the extra burden it places on its rider? Certainly. Does the memory of reaching down to flick a downtube shifter eclipse the inconvenience of sitting down to shift, and removing a hand from the bars? Absolutely. But they also form the fabric of what keeps me returning to the bicycle.

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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View Comments

Steampunk says:

Jan 3 2012 at 9:15 am

Or this.
Steampunk says:

Jan 3 2012 at 9:31 am

@frank
The Rider, too. Yes. (it's what reminded me of the video I just posted above). Short and evocative: very good. I'd happily part with most of the books in the house (and there are plenty). For cycling, though, I'd be keeping The Rider, Need for the Bike, Le MÃ©tier, and Tomorrow, We Ride. These, I think, capture the romance and reality of cycling"”the smells"”in a far more contemplative manner.

Having said that, this site is compiling some very impressive "must-reads"! Kudos to all the Keepers!
Steampunk says:

Jan 3 2012 at 9:55 am

@frank
Obsessive personality: look what you've done. Also reminded of KrabbÃ© riding with Gerrie Knettemann in December 1977:

"'You guys need to suffer more, get dirtier; you should arrive at the top in a casket, that's what we pay you for,' I say.
'No,' Knetemann says, 'you guys need to describe it more compellingly.'"

(p. 29).

Which puts me in mind of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance:

When the legend becomes fact, print the legend
frank says:

Jan 3 2012 at 10:19 am

@Gareth
Very interesting point - its like you remember just enough to do your best to repeat whatever mistake it was that led to the accident, but not enough to keep you from doing it again. Similarly with training - my horrible experience on Haleakala is enough to remind me of what happens when you suck donkey balls, but not so much that I don't chance it again. I am spurred to train more, but also to return to it.

@Anjin-san
Exactly!

@rhys

I try and live in the now, while keeping the notion of being a romantic on the side. I realised the magnitude of Cancellara's 50km solo break at the time. I knew we would talk about it for years to come, and tried to enjoy it as such. When you experience such a thing, you will know - it gives you goosebumps.
The romantic notion is valid when you think about music now, compared to 20 years ago. In 20 years time, radio stations will not play classic britney spears and classic nickelback, as they do bowie, zeppelin and creedence alike. These people are here for a minute, our heroes are here for a lifetime.

Interesting comparison. There are definite similarities; I think there are some rides and riders we'll talk about. Nibbles, for example, has a tendency to ride in the style of Old, with long breaks and some class, even if his breaks don't work out. Grimplette on the Galibier similarly so. What we WON'T be talking about in 20 years is the Gilbert-style timing of closing the break down in the last 5km and the dominating the finale. Gilbert, of course, demonstrated immense tactical wizardry and skill - not to mention power and strength, but those aren't the things that wind up teasing us for years...its more than just class - its class + risk + ingenuity...or something.

Zep and Bowie weren't following formulas - they were doing something different every time, coming up with new ways to captivate us. I think that's the difference.

@mblume
Exactly!
scaler911 says:

Jan 3 2012 at 11:18 am

@frank

@mrhallorann, @il ciclista medio
For instance, I knew I wasn't pushing myself hard enough on the last uphill TT I did and I still feel that sensation of regret. I can't think back on that TT without feeling it. The effect? I won't back off next time.

I always think that myself. The rub is when the time actually comes, do you push as hard as you can, or just as hard as you think you can?
Great article, as usual, btw.
DerHoggz says:

Jan 3 2012 at 11:50 am

@frank
On the topic of music, I always wonder what modern music will hang around. I have heard the argument that there was bad music back then as well, but that only the good stuff is remembered and survives. What good stuff is there today that could survive? Sure there are some bands and artists who have great music, but it I don't think they have enough of a following to become to my generation what those classics are to the older generation. What will survive?

@scaler911
The psychological aspect of cycling is very intriguing to me. I have seen the effects it has on me pretty obviously. The most prominent example is when I was riding one of my now favorite routes for the first time. I was riding along struggling to push 39/22 and go 23 Km/h and in a terrible mood because of it. I ended up in a town that I knew was much higher than where I started, and only then realized I had been gaining altitude, but it was such a gradual slope and windy that I hadn't even noticed. Nowadays I do that section just fine in my big ring, it was just the matter of not knowing that destroyed me. I have been working on just always pushing because of this experience.
The Oracle says:

Jan 3 2012 at 1:30 pm

I've already nearly forgotten the fact that my toes almost froze off on my New Year's Eve ride (due to poor choices in footwear), but I'll always remember the time I went for a RIDE. On NEW YEAR'S EVE. In frakkin' WISCONSIN.
sgt says:

Jan 3 2012 at 1:41 pm

@frank

What we WON'T be talking about in 20 years is the Gilbert-style timing of closing the break down in the last 5km and the dominating the finale. Gilbert, of course, demonstrated immense tactical wizardry and skill - not to mention power and strength, but those aren't the things that wind up teasing us for years...its more than just class - its class + risk + ingenuity...or something.

I'm not so sure about that, mon ami. I have a feeling Gilbert's going to carve himself a pretty lofty niche in the Pantheon. His ability to out of the pack in the last 3-5 km's, repeatedly, in spite of being a marked man is pretty impressive. Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallone and L-B-L back-to-back-to-back, on top of the Montepaschi win.

Plus he's just turning 30, and he's going to have to find some other ways to win, which I think he will. Cut my man some slack.
frank says:

Jan 3 2012 at 1:56 pm

@DerHoggz

On the topic of music, I always wonder what modern music will hang around. I have heard the argument that there was bad music back then as well, but that only the good stuff is remembered and survives. What good stuff is there today that could survive? Sure there are some bands and artists who have great music, but it I don't think they have enough of a following to become to my generation what those classics are to the older generation. What will survive?

Its not quite your generation, but I'm listening to Yellow Ledbetter right now, and I can tell you that song is every bit as good as anything from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. So is Alive. And some other tracks from the Grunge era. But I think you've got a point - just the good stuff stays at the top.

As for really new stuff that's great music, it's few and far between. Deer Tick has a few songs that are absolutely fantastic, heart-wrenching stuff - with a phenomenal drummer to boot (only drummer who compares to Bonzo's looseness in my opinion)

A few Deer Tick tracks (I know they bug a lot of people, but I like 'em)

Houuston, Tx: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2lVqBldyL8

A Beauty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb6Xk4ysPdM

I'm also a massive Big Head Todd and the Monsters fan - and I think some of their stuff is amazing and timeless, but they're so poorly known that I doubt they'll make the list in another couple decades.

But looking at my extensive library, there is very little new stuff in there that I think is worth assuming it will last...

@The Oracle

I've already nearly forgotten the fact that my toes almost froze off on my New Year's Eve ride (due to poor choices in footwear), but I'll always remember the time I went for a RIDE. On NEW YEAR'S EVE. In frakkin' WISCONSIN.

Aye plus, fuckin' one, mate. Nice.

@scaler911
Another good point - but you'll at least push yourself harder than before...and baby steps are good enough for me!
Kyle says:

Jan 3 2012 at 2:14 pm

Both mind and memory are capable of a lot of tricks. Climbs and winds that my mind says are impossible never are. Pain and exhaustion always diminish over time just as the size of my guns, climbing prowess, and general cycling ability are magnified.

Agree with Frank on the regret though. An earworm that never leaves.