One of the things that strikes me most about the English is they don’t appear to have developed any sort of “inner dialog”. It seems anything that passes through the brain is parlayed directly to the tongue; if the thought being expressed is an insult to you, it will generally include a query for confirmation: “You’re not terribly clever, are you?” At least the English have developed the sophistication to keep their voices down which is a skill English children apparently don’t develop until adolescence. I recently spent some time on a small aircraft sitting opposite a young English girl who loudly narrated the progress of her camera’s zoom functionality which, due to the plane’s low cruising altitude, meant it was pointed out the window and in constant operation for the duration of the two-hour flight.
While I don’t consider myself a savage, I also don’t possess the dignity of soft speech; my voice carries as it is, let alone if I’m enthusiastic or angry, which between the two covers about 99.93% of my existance. I’m not sure why people place value on speaking quietly or, for that matter, having any sort of inner dialog. I think this is why I get on well with the English: I spend most of my life trying to sort out what the living beings around me are thinking; if they all had a readout on their forehead or spoke every thought that ever crossed their mind out loud, it would save me loads of time which would free me up for riding my bike.
Riding tubular tires is kind of like riding the tire equivalent of the English, except less cold. Riding tubular tires on deep-section rims is like riding the tire equivalent of English pre-adolescents. (I realized during proofing that I am getting dangerously close to pedaphile territory; this analogy isn’t as clever as it seems, is it? New paragraph, then.)
A well-made, hand-stitched tubular tire is a revelation to ride. The first time I rode tubs, it was aboard a set of Vredesteins which are excellent tires. I was immediately struck by how responsive they were, and how well they cornered. Then I rode a set of FMB Paris-Roubaixs and was struck by all those same things except they also felt like two cushions under my rims, carrying my smoothly from one imperfection to the next as I floated over the tarmac. The most striking thing was the sound: a hypnotic hum that brings the mind inexorably closer to becoming One with The V, the hum sooths and makes you more alert in equal measure; its pulsation reveals the smoothness or imperfections of your stroke with every revolution of the pedals. Clinchers can do much of the same, particularly when ridden with latex tubes, but nothing compares to a well-made tubular to sing the praises or holler the frailties of your stroke.
The Hum whispers to me when I’m climbing well; it shouts at me when I’m suffering worst (read: climbing badly), reminding me to stop pedalling squares and focus on the fluidity of the stroke. The more V is channeled into the pedals, the more difficult it becomes to achieve a Magnificent Stroke. It also hints that its easier to push round smoothly at a low cadence than it in in a high cadence; track racers who can turn round at 160rpm while delivering full power astound me.
The Hum has brought me closer to a Magnificent Stroke. It calls out when I stray, it soothes when I am near. I seek it, I embrace it. Always.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@rfreese888
In a word: Yup.
Go tubs and you'll never go back.
Anyone tried the Sprinter Gatorskins? (Conti puncture resistant tubulars)
This is making my new 9 bike project more interesting!
Really? I've always been told the opposite, we tend not to share our thoughts until we really get to know someone. In my experience, meeting someone new who wants to chat usually involves me leaving knowing:
where they work, live & what they earn
a quick run down on their immediate family, including everyone's age and aspirations.
full medical resume
at least two boastful descriptions of recent achievements (whether they are actual achievements or not)
guidance on what they perceive to be my immediate goals.
In return, they may find out my name.
@markb
Do you work for the CIA? Sounds like you really know how to get folks to open up!
@frank
Agreed. I know a few cycle couriers in old London town. Some ride tubs when it's for fun, but for work clinchers rule. One can easily change an inner tube in under 5 mins and be back on the road whatever the conditions. Fucking around on a busy carriageway in the dark, cold and rain with sticky tubs is just stupid.
@wiscot
I always carry a bucket of water and clingfilm around with me.
"One of the things that strikes me most about the English is they don't appear to have developed any sort of "inner dialog".
What a load of rubbish. Even if it's a joke a good gag has to have a ring of truth to it. In this instance it doesn't.
The stereotype of English people, known to everyone except the author, is one of reticence almost to the point of coldness.
However stereotypes suck ass. We're all different.
Goddamn, I spend a lot of my time analyzing what people are thinking as well, Frank! Gotta cut that out so I can spend more time riding.
Planes, thank goodness I don't have to fly that often. Just a few years ago, ya know, before I matured...I grew exasperated with a fellow traveler while boarding the plane. I told her what I thought of her behavior and she actually told on me. Yes, told on me like a child. I was escorted off the plane by an attendant and had to have a meeting with the four attendants, the crazy woman, and...the captain. Oh boy, 5th grade all over again.
I'm only a lowly clincher rider, but Vittoria Open Corsa SCs on Open Pro/Record wheels with Vredestein latex tubes definitely give me the feeling of two cushions under the wheels.
Life is too short to ride so-so tires. Now that I'm having less time for longer rides, I appreciate having nice gear that much more.
By strange coincidence I have just bought my first set of tubs, although possibly not what Frank had in mind. They are Mavic CRX80s to go on the TT bike.
This Trinity is quite a milestone - as well as being my first proper TT bike it will also be my first time on Group-san and first time on tubs. Probably won't notice any difference - I'm not exactly like the princess-and-the-pea with most things on a bike anyway.
And on the English, yes I agree with you markb. Frank is quite deluded about their inability to contain themselves, but then the English have been confusing and confounding foreigners for years.
There is a story, probably untrue but that isn't the point, about two Victorian gentlemen in the desert on their respective ways between some remote outposts of the Empire.
They have been travelling in opposite directions for some days without meeting anyone but eventually each party sees the other on the horizon, heading towards them on the same trail. Hours pass as they move closer and closer and it becomes apparent that headed towards them is the only other Englishman within 100 miles and possibly the only white face they will see for days or weeks.
Mounted on their camels, the parties meet. The men lift their hats, offer a polite "Good day" and pass on. They were not acquainted and no gentleman would accost another with unwonted conversation. Much like a London tube today.
Wow, talk about cosmic convergence. Yesterday I get an email from Belgianwerkx (cool name and just as cool a shop!) telling me for the first time in a long time I actually won something of value. And now this article..
Since my knees don't let me run for CX or anything else, they were gracious enough to substitute a pair of Paris-Roubaixs. Now my first-world problem is deciding whether to put them on my Golden Tickets, my Aeolus D3 35s, or my Nucleons. Do I want to look like old-school Tommeke or new-school Faboo? I have a winter of tire aging to decide:)