The perfect pre-ride espresso would be perfect from a La Cimbali or Saeco machine!

Rancillio makes a mean espresso, my friend.

This one made me laugh

@ChrissyOne Ironic?

You misspelled “awesome”.

An excessive amount of coolness (imho)

Indeed.  The perfectly perched eyewear and foot planted on the top tube are the epitome of Casually Dliberate.

Thought I’d bring this one to the top of the list again, for the benefit of any newcomers to the site. For some reason, this article more than any other one on this site makes me itch to get out and ride.

As that newcomer, Sir. I thank you.

“Dolce far niente!”

BRR link

This is Pascal Poisson, in the 1982 TdF, I think.

@Oli Brooke-White

@ZachOlson

Yes, yes and hell yes!

Good stuff. Getting a club ride organized into anything resembling a paceline is like herding fucking cats… there are a few of us who constantly try to organize our Saturday club ride, usually to no avail. Occasionally we can get a break working, but it takes commitment from everyone to pull through, plus a feel for the paceline to make sure no one gets popped. When it works, it’s alchemy.

And a four man rotation downwind at 50 kph? Money.

As we’ve recently started shaking off winter around here and meeting for some group rides a Cat 2 and a Cat 4 who had just both moved to town have been showing up too. Two weeks ago we had an actual “training ride”. The Cat 3 had the 10 or so of us whipped into a double pace line and I spent the next 2.5 hours tempoing along in wannabe europro arrogant roadie prick nirvana. Then last night it was cold and windy and the only ones to show up for the ride were the the aforementioned three racers and me. Everybody looked “pro”. Proper cold weather gear. No mis-matched kits. No European man satchels. It was sweet. After over an hour of echeloning in the crosswind we made the turn for home and it happened. A real high speed rotating pace line. With the nice little tailwind our “four man break” bombed along for kilometers on end at 45-50 kph. Even though I was on the ragged edge I was happier than a Frenchman in a yellow jersey.

Man, I love road bikes.

Marko :
Is this a case of “when I was young we walked to school, up hill, both ways” or a sign of the coming extinction of the hardman?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riis-says-many-young-riders-are-too-spoiled

Just read that piece an hour ago. Yeah, I’m sure that Coppi, Binda, Merckx, Kelly et al would probably have laughed at how “easy” Riis had it!

Seems to me that there is some veiled reference to Contador in their to me, even though the article says that no one was specifically targeted by his comments.

Jeff in PetroMetro :
@frank Right. My contribution was just a humorous diversion. Back to the work at hand.
Merckx, what is up with Yate’s left foot in the above picture? That can’t be his cleat position. His heel is in his spokes. A little too much float with the old Time pedals?

Man, I was thinking the EXACT same thing when I saw that picture. Got to love the float in Time pedals!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riis-says-many-young-riders-are-too-spoiled

Just wanted to check when he was National Champion so I looked it up on Wikipedia, and I found this:

For a rouleur Yates climbed very well for his weight.

Me, I like to ride my bike more than I like to ride a horse. I like the physical effort. Riding horses lacks the aerobic/anaerobic output that makes me feel so much better when I’m done. Riding horses is much more cerebral. It’s all about communicating with a herd animal that doesn’t want to be eaten.

Odd, my girlfriend grew up riding horses and still would love to, but grad school life/earnings doesn’t really allow much money for that these days. But, the first time I got her on one of my road bikes a few years ago she commented that it was the closest thing she’d felt to riding a horse. I’m happy – the older steel road bike I bought her is much cheaper than a horse!

It’s 20*F warmer here than it has been the past three days. Can’t beat that. Friday afternoon/early evening ride…with some beer in the bidon to boot…

The family pet is a bullet proof seal brown quarter horse. He came off a cow/calf operation in Nebraska. Smart, efficient, working stock, top of the food chain at the stables. Absolutely casually deliberate. My daughter rides him at hunter-jumper events. He picked up English riding very quickly. And he’s amazingly kind to people.

The other is an old Hanoverian. We found him abandoned in a pasture in northeast Texas. Someone who lived a financially overextended life finally ran out of credit and left a wake of destruction. He was one of the victims. He is registered, from Germany. We can’t quite make out his neck brand number, but his Hanoverian brand stands out beautifully on his left rear hip. We don’t have his passport. If we can get his brand number right, the registry in Germany can at least tell us who he is.

He came with all the buttons installed for both dressage and jumping. He had to be a Grand Prix level horse. Just amazing.

Merckx, what is up with Yate’s left foot in the above picture? That can’t be his cleat position. His heel is in his spokes. A little too much float with the old Time pedals?

Casually deliberate comes from killing it on the bike and knowing that no one””but no one””could beat you up that col or across that pavé. It’s the almost arrogant curl of the lip, not the wool sweater vest in “ocean grey.” As with so many other threads here, we’re talking about parameters of masculinity; the clothes don’t make the man.

Spot fucking on, mate.

From our mate at BRR:

And

THAT’s casually deliberate.

I’m as much of a dandy as anyone (or more), and with fashion comes a similar attention to detail about the clothes like @Jeff in PetroMetro is describing and I applaud him for it. But, like you say, the clothes don’t make the man – it’s all about how you carry yourself. You need to believe it and it’s not about what others think; it’s about the details that make you know you Look Fantastic.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go shower, shave, and don a bow-tie and dinner jacket to go into the garage and work on the bike.

Though I’m reluctant to post links to other cycling “media” here because I figure you all are reading the same shit, I just had to post this. This is fucking gold. We could mine this for quotes for the next 10 years. It’s also what I think you’re talking about Steampunk. Fucking gold I say.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cipollini-decries-modern-cyclings-lack-of-machismo

By the by, head on over and visit our friends at Big Ring Riding. They’ve picked this up with vigor.

But, really, people, I’ll say it again: Rule #4. Go back to the original shots of Bobet, Coppi, Koblet, etc: casually deliberate is not about what they’re wearing, but how they comport themselves. That confidence. Louison Bobet would have looked good in anything, because he had that air about him. Nothing more, nothing less. Casually deliberate comes from killing it on the bike and knowing that no one””but no one””could beat you up that col or across that pavé. It’s the almost arrogant curl of the lip, not the wool sweater vest in “ocean grey.” As with so many other threads here, we’re talking about parameters of masculinity; the clothes don’t make the man. Rule #4; then Rule #5. Repeat.

I’m torn about Manhattan, but maybe it is because I’m a New Yorker. Lots of style, but a lot of people who don’t seem Casually Deliberate about it at all. They just moved to NYC from Ohio or Kansas or wherever and work hard to totally remake themselves. It’s a bit stuffy to me, but hey, better than stained sweats and goddamn crocs in public…

Although I’m sure you’re already aware of it: The Chap

Jeff in PetroMetro:
@Kiwicyclist
Use a Windsor knot.

In addition to my last…. you should always use a Windsor knot!

Steampunk:
Y’know: I used to like these pages, before they turned into copy for Banana Republic or some such. What the fuck do cravats, tweed, and sweater vests have to do with cycling? Please refer to Rule #4. And then Rule #5.

Getting a little out of hand I think! None of this now sounds casually deliberate!

Can you really call it casually deliberate if you’ve done so much planning to be seen that way that you need a local sherpa to carry a change of clothing up a mountain and then presumbly have a little tent for your Velomihottie to change in! Hmmmm?

Jeff in PetroMetro:
I’m thinking an all white ensemble. Very summer. White summer dress, knee length, sleeveless with spaghetti straps, a white floppy ribbon hat with a 15cm wide brim, white slingback leather sandals with a 2.5cm heel and an open toe, large sunglasses framed in black, and a big, chunky red bracelet to match her red toenail polish-the kind of red polish that says, “Frank, you’re going to get lucky tonight.”

Fuck me, it’s Patrick Bateman! AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_eIrXGhmTI&feature=channel

Your metrosexuality is showing.

The socks look just about perfect, the shorts are definitely short; they’re above the vastus medialius/sartorius muscle intersection. They are even above the end of the gracilis/adductor longus (can never figure out which one that is) I even recommend these anatomies as a guideline for short length. I also recommend that socks are anatomically fit. The lowest socks can be at the thinnest part of the ankle viewed from the front, but they absolutely must be below where your gastrocnemius ends on the inside. Some people have short calf muscles and therefore maybe a measurement above the thinnest part of the ankle could be used as a guideline.

I’ve actually become obsessed about sock length and am thinking of going back to school to write a master’s thesis on it. Confession: I like the slightly longer socks Specialized (Special-ed) Wool Trainers are my favorites.

Jeff, you’re not the Satorialist are you? Here’s a test – brown shoes, grey suit – discuss.

@Frank

Wholehearted agree with the comments about Manhatten. I was there on a visit in 2008 and hanging around the West Village when I spotted a prime example of casually deliberate in commuting setting – a local 30 something gent dressed in boat shoes, pale cords rolled up to show the appropriate level of ankle, vest and tweed jacket, cravat and a cheesecutter riding a dutch bike with basket and tortiseshell sunnies – the dude carried it off with such insouciance- hard to pull of that look with such style in other cities – in Manhatten it worked.

If I were to attend any of the upcoming tours, I would undoubtedly ride up one of the vaunted cols prior to the arrival of the peloton. However, I would arrange for a friend or Velomihottie to meet me at a pre-determined location at the side of the road. She would carry my accoutrements for me in a neatly organized Velominati race bag.

I have to point out that any Velomihottie would at worst ride with you up the mountain and at best drop your sorry ass. If I were to suggest to my VMH that she drive up ahead and carry my accoutrements, she would undoubtedly say something to the effect of “you want someone to carry your shit around, get a fucking porter, asshole.”

Oli Brooke-White:
Sean Connery is most definitely not English, in fact he’s a vociferous proponent of Scottish independence! He’s certainly a well dressed man though…

Who’s talking about fucking Sean Connery? That is a photo of James Bond, an English character, dressed like an Englishman, leaning against an English car. After all, he’s got the toupe on, doesn’t he?

There’s a Rule #27 violation in that photo.

Milano-Sanremo 2009

I want my friends to tell me I’m being a sorry POS when I am.

Even worse than people wearing dirty sweats are people who wear pajama bottoms out. I spot people out and about with pajama bottoms on a weekly basis.

Do people really look in the mirror like that and say “yup, this is it!” to themselves before heading out? I want to represent *this* to the world! Ugh.

The shoes–ah the shoes. I, like you, always wear lace-ups with business suits. Always. English shoes! They take a little breaking in, however, they’ll never wear out, ever. And they take a shine like no other footwear.

As for Manhattan, I’ve spent about a month of my life there. I loved it. When I was younger, I wanted to live there. Now, I’m a little slower and I like a visit, not a relocation.

Yes, Manhattan is sartorial splendor.

Actually, it’s toxins that build up in muscles. The ones that are renoved by a massage

You know, think Mod, not Rocker, when making clothing decisions.

“One of big misconceptions in sports science is that lactic acid (or lactate) is a bad thing, it is not. It can actually be re-metabolised to create additional energy for exercise. The ‘acidosis’ that you feel is from hydrogen ions (and other metabolites) produced from the breakdown of lactic acid into lactate. The intensity of exercise mediates the accumulation of these ions, not what you eat”

Interesting; that explains why I always feel that after the first run into The Red and thoroughly burned my guns, I am instantly stronger on the next climb. Fascinating shit, that.

roadslave:
@Jarvis, @G’Phant, @Ron – sod the TDU, they wouldn’t know what ‘Looking Fantastic’ looks like on or off the bike… but yes, when the peloton hits Europe next year with the classics and the grand tours, I fully expect to see classy, tasteful, yet wickedly hip yet classicly euro-stylish Velominati in the background on all the major stages… would be V (deliberate pun) cool to see ‘Apply Rule #5″² appear on TV at Turn 18 of the Alpe as Gesink and Schleck are going at it against each other.

I am just returning from Manhattan after a meeting out this way. Manhattan is a fucking classy place where people still (gerenally) remember that going out in public looking nice is a sign of dignity and showing respect for your fellow people on the street. I cannot understand the twatwaffles who go out in sweats and a dirty t-shirt.

I would also like to point out that while many of my favorite suits are Italian (Italians understand how to cut a suit for a thin guy) the English suits I have are every bit as stylish and have a little more flair. The Ted Baker suit I wore is black with a blue strip, but the jacket is lined completely in a radical purple fabric. Fucking class, that.

I also wore a pair of Paul Smith shoes (no loafers, lace-up only) and they are fucking gold.

I think a small v-cog stitched to the right sleeve, just beside the buttons would be a suitably subtle sign of the ilk; as we go to shake our fellow roadside fan’s hand, we check the cuff and recognize each other.

Also, in case you’re wondering if the English know how anything about style…

It’s a sad indictment of modern television that leaving 20 seconds without any voiceover, just mild effects, seems to be a radical innovation.
Got any more like that ?

That cut is actually from Stars and Watercarriers. That, along with the Impossible Hour, La Course en Tete, and The Greatest Show on Earth are just completely crammed full of gems. Have a look at The Works for more details.

When racing, I carried isopropyl alcohol. It is a great cooling rub, cleans the chains of irresponsible teammates who do not adhere to Rule #65, can be mixed with water and a mild soap to clean the other parts of the bikes of irresponsible teammates who do not adhere to Rule #65, disinfects, and prevents acne.

Of course, isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable. And when used to clean road rash, it hurts worse than a trip through the depths of Hell and tends to kill off whatever live skin cells one has left nearest one’s wounds. (I preferred hydrogen peroxide, but I can’t say it was any less pleasant. I just liked the bubbles.)

I love the shoe assortment in The Legs photo. Cycling shoes with duct tape. Some all white Easy Spirits. Some black heels. And yes, some Velcro sneaks…(and what look to be some brown leather boots on the far left)

That is all. Drink your milk.

Chris:
@frank
Hey, I am new member and just wanted to agree with the lactose in milk. The pro Mark Cavendish will never drink or eat anything containing milk on the day of a ride because it messes with the lactate acid buildup in the muscles.

Cavendish might be an okay sprinter but he’s got a lot to learn about science. ;-)

Lots of people are lactose intolerant and that can definitely have an effect on performance, but it’s still nothing whatsoever to do with lactic acid build-up…

http://designyourtie.com/index

Then, of course, there’s the Velominati race bag:

http://www.logosoftwear.com/teamcustomsportsbags.php

Merckx, I’m good at spending everyone else’s money.

@Jeff in PetroMetro

Fucking brilliant, both of you.

Please understand, this is only a humble suggestion from a fellow Velominatus. It is given with optimism and friendship and with the hope that we can bring sartorial splendor to those who have lost their way whether on or off a bike.

If I were to attend any of the upcoming tours, I would undoubtedly ride up one of the vaunted cols prior to the arrival of the peloton. However, I would arrange for a friend or Velomihottie to meet me at a pre-determined location at the side of the road. She would carry my accoutrements for me in a neatly organized Velominati race bag. In it, I might have a washcloth, a towel, a bottle of water with which to clean myself, a small bottle of rubbing alcohol to help prevent saddlesores, sunscreen, silk boxers, a cotton undershirt, linen slacks and matching sportcoat (khaki or light stone color), a cotton/linen blend long sleeve dress shirt with button down collar (sky blue) with matching pocket square, leather woven loafers (brown), alligator belt (brown), thin cotton over-the-calf dress socks (light brown), tortoise shell sunglasses, and a soft straw Panama hat (natural color, probably a Stetson Monte Carlo, as I am bald as a ping-pong ball). I’d go without the tie. I would also pack a second Velominati kit and clean fresh socks. Who wants to put on a sweaty kit for the descent? Not me.

When packing, I roll each garment. This saves a tremendous amount of space in my bag and it keeps my clothes almost free of wrinkles.

I recommend the linen suit because it looks great slightly wrinkled, it says summer vacation, and it’s very Casually Deliberate.

Food would consist of some kind of local meat and cheese sandwiches on baguettes, sparkling mineral water, and a bottle of a local moderately priced red wine.

We will recognize you as a true Velominatus when we see you on steephill.tv or Universal Sports or Versus or Eurosport because you will be resplendent in your semi formal Casually Deliberate roadside sportswear.

You can change the world, one pair of slacks at a time.

roadslave :
@Jarvis, @G’Phant, @Ron – sod the TDU, they wouldn’t know what ‘Looking Fantastic’ looks like on or off the bike…

wanker