Always be casually deliberate, even when riding.
You have just attacked off the front to take a town line sprint. It was a just-the-perfect-amount-of-dumb yet successful move. You went deeply anaerobic for a sprint no one else was even mildly interested in, but you did crush them unrestrainedly.
Now, to hide your effort, you deploy the Rule #80 Casual Coast. Left hand on the bars, right hand resting on the thigh, right pedal up to raise the right thigh to armchair height. You coast along as your awesome sprinting momentum eases and the group rolls up. You are a picture of relaxation and confidence. You drift left and regard them as they ride up on your right. Your body language says one thing.
Let that be a lesson, jongens.
My old friend and LBS owner, George “Lefty” Sykes has taught me many cycling things over the years. He invested too much time, swearing and frustration drilling us in the perfect double pace line. The Casual Coast was never mentioned but George was a master of this move. I discerned this posture was as important as riding a double pace line though no one was going to pull me off the road and lecture me about it. This was not a skill, this was just cool. We cyclists don’t do much coasting but this an awesome way to recover and survey your fellow riders from a position of power and relaxed confidence.
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@Rob
Rob, your painting your killer Raleigh celeste green to match the sponsored team's Bianchis is a tradition as old as professional cycling. It's like Maerten's admitting he never rode a Flandria as his were always repainted Gios frames. You are cool.
No, no, no, Gianni I WAS TRYING to be cool but I never have been and now it's too late! As evidence for the jury I submit image number 1. Note the perspiration, the 53 x 17 and how I was too cheap (and I did not want to sully my beautiful Raliegh further) to put on Bianchi decals... please don't mention the quick release...
@Deakus
Hilarious! The VMW and I were in tears! Dropped the kids on the first hill..
@Rob
Sensi, you were very cool. Great photo: the purple and white hairnet, leather Merckxian gloves, stealth bike. And you are looking very casual as you work that dude from the Raleigh team. That guy was not so versed in Bruce Lee, Miyamoto Musashi or pillow talk. I'm sure you beat him in the sprint.
@Rob
That's not a legit TI-Raleigh kit riding next to you, is it? Or was it a US team trying to look like the classic?
This photo is absolutely everything I hold as Looking Fantastic. I"m still waiting for you to write your Guestie on nailing on cleats.
The best thing about this photo is that, riding a 53x17 (sure its not a 52?), you are CROSSED. I climb in a 53x17 with a solid 3-4 cogs to spare before crossing. That's a man's block; 6 speeds, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Allez la douze.
@unversio
Perception is everything
@Gianni that image of the few I have is a favorite. The hairnet came from a summer spent in London working and only doing club races (couldnt get into open races) and was bought at Condors on Grays Inn Road, it's their shop colors. The gloves were my favorite Itailan jobs, paper thin and great for summer racing. The shoes, the shoes... I miss the shoes.
@frank CRCofA, Century Road Club of America out of NY or NJ, the oldest club and its roster is a venerable list of US racing. I wish I could remember who he was, someone will. Ironically, they were my club because my Sensei belonged but since I was from Boston I never even talked to the big boys from the mothership. By then I was riding for a small team we put together in Boston, Classic Wine/Laughing Alley. Affectionately known as the Classic Whiners!
I think by then I had discovered the 53 and I might even have had a seven in back? But either way no 12 back then, thats why the 53 was cool. Pretty sure I was running something like a 13- 19 for a flat crit. Remember we could pick and choose our cogs! I'd throw on a 21 for hills.
Yes, will get going on nailed on cleats and the cross over from wool to Lycra!
Just got this from my sister for Christmas (after sorting through Dad's old slides). Rule 80 adherence since 1968.
"Come on- what are we waiting for??"
Note: Possible other rule infractions may be evident
VLVV - Merry Xmas and a hard New Year
@asyax Cool image! The look is killer and really I can't see any infractions, tan lines - crisp, bike looks in perfect order although the stem could get slammed... Maybe those early Areospoke wheels are a bit dodgy but definitely ahead of their time!
Merry, Merry to one and all!
"- and a hard New Year" ++1
Looking good, Gianni. Nice new kit, and the bike is looking proper. I like those Ritchey stems and finish, but a pal has the bars and the bend of them seems a little odd. Maybe I haven't been at it long enough to appreciate their Class.
Wow, a purple and white hairnet and a full-out sprint. That is a great photograph. I hope it hangs proudly in your shop or hell, right in your living room.