We spend a small enormity of time waiting. We wait for lights to turn green. We wait for riders to arrive to the ride. We wait for riding partners to finish repairing a flat or mechanical. Due to various practical considerations including the perceived notion that armchairs don’t stuff well into jersey pockets, we generally find ourselves doing our waiting astride our machines rather than more customary accommodations.
Like all Cycling activities, waiting must be undertaken with utmost attention to style and class, with the principles of Casually Deliberate applying in spades. This presents a number of technical challenges, however. Noting that we are clad in full-body spandex, ballet slippers, and what amounts to a hollowed-out coconut on our heads, the matter of looking cool is complicated not insignificantly when seeking to appear at ease perched upon the crossbar of our bikes, a device more likely to be used to provide sterility treatment than comfortable seating.
Take, for example, this photo of Faboo, Burghardt, and Huevo Rancheros. Motorcus and Burggie are using my preferred method of extending the right leg while resting the topmost portion of the hamstring on the top tube just fore of the seatpost. I prefer this technique not only for its obvious casual nature, but for its numerous functional qualities. First, having the right leg, not the left, extended ensures we don’t inadvertently apply the Cat 5 Tattoo. Second, it ensures our hamstring doesn’t become a hamstrung should the right foot suffer unexpected slippage.
Huevo, in contrast, is using an entirely unorthodox approach adopted, I’m assuming, from riding his skuut. Knowing he’s had some work done in the region, I suspect it might be more comfortable for him than for anyone not similarly unaltered and it is with that consideration that I strongly recommend this approach be avoided.
A broad glance at the riders in this photo reveals myriad examples of Waiting Properly while employing subtle differences in execution. The similarities are clear, however:
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@frank
Okay, okay!!
@huffalotpuffalot
What brand of bike is Kelly riding? A Quattro Ass? He just doesn't look right riding clipless . . .
Anquetil's Ford jersey is truly one of the great jersies of all time.
@wiscot
Very well spotted, Quattro Assa indeed although I prefer Ass. It is an awesome shirt I am big fan of Tom Simpsons shirt with the Union Jacks on the shoulder. I am getting one in a couple of months so looking forward to that.
While it may appear that Faboo is clapping, he's actually gently cupping a tiny white dove, and preparing to set it free.
They just spontaneously appear in his hands on account of his devout purity...
@huffalotpuffalot
Quattro Assi
@eightzero
I know a courier who had one of those tattooed into the back of his calf.
I say go for it.
Just don't blame me for doing the stupidest fucking thing I could possibly imagine. When you say cat five tattoo you mean getting amateur stripes tattooed into the back of your leg right?
I'm with Minion. A chainring tattoo says three things: 1) I don't know how to keep my drivetrain clean, 2) I'm such a noob I don't know how to stop from getting the filth all over me, and 3) I'm actually proud of these unco character traits.
@minion
Amateur stripes?
One of my favourite examples of Casually Deliberate:
"Do whatever shit you have to do and when you are done we will race..."
@frank
That photo of Millar slipping out of the hotel in his DJ is beyond all awesomeness.