In the interest of full disclosure, I feel it is my responsibility to warn you that this article might accidentally make you a better cyclist. Even though it breaks protocol, the subject of this edition of Look Pro involves the power of the mind, not just aesthetics.
As we established previously, The Rules can be transcended if the rider has the proper mentality. Take, for example, the sweat band that Hinault is wearing in this photo. Though he gets off on a Rule Violation through a technicality (no Rules about sweat bands), the way that thing is creeping up past his hairline, you might think he just stepped out of a special session with Richard Simmons. That said, from a technical perspective, calling it a “sweat band” is erroneous, since sweat bands don’t work for Badger Perspiration (pure Iron) and that it is actually a device used to absorb your opponent’s anguish and convert it directly into hardonium, the core element of The V. The point is, he pulls it off because he’s the Badger, and the Badger can do whatever he damn well pleases. Lame sweat bands and all.
A good deal of The Rules focus on the little details of good taste and style that help you look Pro, such as how to wear sunnies, the proper length of socks and bibs, positioning on the bike, and the accessories that are and aren’t allowed. But try as you might to Look Fantastic, unless you apply liberal doses of Rule #5, nothing you do will go far to help you avoid the Gyllenhaal Syndrome.
The good news is that Rule 5 is not measured in absolutes, but by relative increments. Whether you are throwing your leg over a top tube for the first time, a recreational rider, a racer, or a Pro riding a bike around a track for 60 minutes, to observe Rule #5 means that you push yourself beyond a level you previously thought possible. This is the crux of becoming a better cyclist; your limits are dictated more by the mind than by fitness; to push beyond your limits is to will your lungs to breathe a little deeper, demand a bit more from your legs, and to steel your mind against the constant pleas from your lungs and legs to mercifully halt the effort.
The bad news is that the work in pursuit of Rule #5 is never done, for every step closer you come, Rule #5 takes a step farther away. As your fitness increases and your body learns to cope with the demands you put on it, the bar creeps ever higher (see Rule #10).
In your pursuit of Looking Pro, keep these guidelines in mind:
A-Merckx.
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"training is like wrestling a gorilla"”you don't stop when you're tired"”you stop when the gorilla is tired."
This is what happens when Hinault wrings his sweatband out.
seems like most of you on here are battling a little Gyllenhaal Syndrome. It's ok, it's something that most cyclists share, so you have an excuse, but don't let it distract you from what's most important. The V.
Seeing these pictures of the badger reminds me of the 1983 Tour of America, I came down in the morning to the sight of Hinault in a head to toe thermal suit that was made by Santini. the most striking aspect was the bright turquoise color.
@Dan Ingram
just visiting and i must say i like this words as well...
for full disclosure, i just starting riding last year with a giant MTB fell in love with the road so recently bought a road bike.
i'm sorry for the double post and any typo errors...
writing comments in forums and working with the boss walking around don't mix very well...
see you around... hopefully riding fast, riding hard. peace out!
Just want to step in on a little detail - real pedals/clips and straps - pre Look stuff but what gets my attention is the little plastic tab on the end of the strap (maybe Binda's?). Man I loved those things when they came out. I do not know what they were called but they were da Bomb. They slotted onto the strap and then were secured with a little screw in the middle that went through the leather.
Campy pedals, Binda (with the fiberglass reinforcement) straps, leather shoes and the little plastic tab and man it was the best set up ever. I was sort of sad when Look pedals rolled in as I was so into how my feet connected olds school and that little bit was the last piece of the pie so that when you reached down with 1/2 kilo to go to tighten up it was like a vice and your sprint showed it.
Come on, you can't like this kind of guy... or not?
This is why we like him!
Someone else will have to explain - I have never punched anyone nor do I think anyone should... but some how i don't see the Schlecks doing this.