Categories: Defining MomentsEvanescent RidersExportNostalgiaTradition

Something Beautiful

Despite the proclivity towards being all-knowing that comes as a consequence of my being Dutch, the most beautiful things in life are discoveries that come as a result of not knowing. We are quick to answer but slow to think; the easy solution lies at our fingertips while the true mystery lurks just beyond, ready to reveal her secrets if only we are willing to venture into the unknown. Beauty is found in the journey, not the destination.

As Cyclists, we start our journey with the simple joy of pedalling a bicycle and escaping the clumsy limitations of bipedal locomotion – walking quickly loses its luster when you can pedal a bike instead. First we pedal to explore the limits of our range, then the limits of our speed. Finally, we pedal to explore the limits within ourselves as speed and range are tested together.

When we free ourselves from the confines of our local and familiar roads and point the bicycle towards parts unknown, we rediscover the childish beauty of exploration that came when we first started riding a bike. Not knowing what lies around the next bend is a mysterious sort of riding completely different from the regimented training we have become accustomed to. The familiar pressure will be there in our heart, lungs, and legs, but with it will come an element of nervous excitement at the anticipating the unknown. Whether we encounter a dead end or a gravel road; none of it matters in the scope of discovery.

One of the amazing things about a competent rider aboard a bicycle is how much distance can be covered in a day. After 8, 10, or 12 hours away, we can look at a globe and see the stretch of land we covered. The mind will be tired from the effort from having pushed the body and wondering about what will be coming next. The body will be empty, the lungs will have that familiar tension from supplying oxygen-starved muscles with fuel. The look in the rider’s eye will be one of the exhilaration that only comes as a result of total exhaustion.

We need this sort of emptiness in order to feel fulfilled. There is something beautiful to be discovered when we push into the unknown.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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RedRanger says:

May 7 2014 at 4:10 pm

And this is why I love Rule 12. A bike for every occasion. tired of riding on paved roads? hop on your CX or MTB.
frank says:

May 7 2014 at 4:27 pm

@meursault

Fulfilled by emptiness. Very nice, I am going to meditate on that for the rest of the day.

Ok, asshole. Thanks for pointing out that I'm really fucking wordy.

My favorite writing quote by Aberdoodle Lincoln:

I'm sorry I wrote you a long letter; I did not have time to write a short one.
frank says:

May 7 2014 at 4:34 pm

@Ccos

I took a class on meditating (long story) but I realized that I already do it by riding, which is the best way to clear the mind.

Also maybe it's the emptiness we feel which causes the beer to taste so good afterwards.

For me, Rule V, Rule VV, and 8-12 hour rides really clean the slate. The other rides are vehicles for introspection, planning, and getting distracted by shiny stuff.
frank says:

May 7 2014 at 4:47 pm

@Buck Rogers

Longest ride on tap for me today in over a year. I will indeed being clearing my mind before I am done.

Also, LOVING that lead photo.

Don't you live in Cycling Heaven?

@ChrissyOne

I'm dying for a long ride. Just a bunch of short training efforts at dodging thunderstorms these last few weeks.

Don't YOU live in Cycling Heaven? And what storms? The weather has been NUTS rad until the last few days.
frank says:

May 7 2014 at 4:55 pm

@wiscot

A few weeks ago I set out on a lovely evening to ride some familiar roads. Around half way I turned left on a road previously unridden instead of heading for home. I then snaked and twisted and turned around some amazing new backroads almost totally devoid of traffic. The surfaces were smooth, the terrain lumpy, the weather perfect, my clothing spot on. I did 80kms and finished with a huge shit-eating grin on my face. I had gone exploring in a way that no other form of transport could match. It was a ride of empowerment and fulfillment. It was something beautiful that was mine and mine alone.

The best. Even on small rides - I am always keeping my eye out for a new way up a hill or through a neighborhood. And anytime I ride with other people on familiar routes, I always get one or two "Oh, I've never gone this way - nice!"

@Rob

@Frank, that opening sentence has to be on the podium of your Dutch centric expositions and the rest of the opening paragraph - genius.

Whenever time allows I have always used the bike as a tool of exploration and the longer the better. There is no better way to see the world, it's the epitome of the Goldilocks Principle for travel, not to slow not to fast.

Totally - and the effort makes you appreciate it more. Driving the Tourmalet is very different from riding it. I've been taught from a young age that the bike is the best way to explore.

That's what I love about the Graveur - you're on a bike that's great to ride on the road or gravel - and it can take a single track too. Its such a great bike to explore on.
frank says:

May 7 2014 at 5:00 pm

@scaler911, @Teocalli

+1 to both of you bastids.

@therealpeel

Well said. Too often I stick to the same roads and trails. I am undecided if it diminishes the overall quality of the ride. Time to conquer this hill or this turn, again- am I faster today than yesterday, do I even care? There is something undeniably exciting about choosing to explore the depths of suburbia and to seek out the isolated patches of tarmac seemingly made for cycling.

This, especially in the context of what those guys @scaler and @Teocalli said. Of course there is love to be found in all aspects - the variation is what makes it so fantastic. If you are up for a long ride and can't decide what route to take or don't want to face the same old routes again - just go and explore. On the other hand, if you're out for a specific program that day, you are best served hitting roads you know...my routes are so well known to me, I can tell in an instant if I'm on a good or bad ride. Both have value.
unversio says:

May 7 2014 at 5:34 pm

@Teocalli

...encourage you to go somewhere you may not otherwise go.

This and "the most beautiful things in life are discoveries that come as a result of not knowing" may be real reason I am planning to go a ways away from South Carolina to ride with the STV gruppo. A gruppo that upholds its merit by V is a beautiful bonus.
Barracuda says:

May 7 2014 at 6:27 pm

" We need this sort of emptiness in order to feel fulfilled. There is something beautiful to be discovered when we push into the unknown. "

This, because of what @frank has written, is why we ride. I was always at my happiest in my youth on the bike, leaving home just after dawn and not caring where I went. Just riding and seeing where the day/road/footpath/track took me.

Each weekend promised new adventures and undiscovered roads and sights, sounds and smells that if seen, heard or smelt now in my older years bring great memories and a uncontrollable smile to my face.

Life is complicated now, until these glipses into the past freshen the mind.

Very timely
frank says:

May 7 2014 at 6:47 pm

@teleguy57

@wiscot

A few weeks ago I set out on a lovely evening to ride some familiar roads. Around half way I turned left on a road previously unridden instead of heading for home. I then snaked and twisted and turned around some amazing new backroads almost totally devoid of traffic. The surfaces were smooth, the terrain lumpy, the weather perfect, my clothing spot on. I did 80kms and finished with a huge shit-eating grin on my face. I had gone exploring in a way that no other form of transport could match. It was a ride of empowerment and fulfillment. It was something beautiful that was mine and mine alone.

I would love to know where those roads are so I can get on them! Sorry we missed each other at the Cheesehead Roubaix, but I'm sure there will be other opportunities.

Planned to celebrated my 60th yesterday with a 60 mile ride (60K would have been too short:). Ended up riding with a friend for about 45 of the 64 I did, and she took me on some roads I hadn't ridden for a long time "” partway down the east side of Lake Winnebago and then east a bit, all into 12-15mph steady winds with gusts in the high 20s. Coupled with the rollers there it was a good place to lose myself in the effort. When we split and I headed back in I had a full-on tailwind for about 15 miles. Nice.

Birthday socks FTW. Sure wish it would be shorts/short sleeve weather some day. Funky tan line between socks and knee warmers....

And of course, post-ride birthday dinner with my wife, starting as is appropriate:

Sounds like a perfect birthday mate. Awesomeness. Happy Twelfth Year of the Five.

@RedRanger

And this is why I love Rule #12. A bike for every occasion. tired of riding on paved roads? hop on your CX or MTB.

Word up, brother.
frank says:

May 7 2014 at 6:52 pm

@Barracuda

This, because of what @frank has written, is why we ride. I was always at my happiest in my youth on the bike, leaving home just after dawn and not caring where I went. Just riding and seeing where the day/road/footpath/track took me.

I think what you mean is "because as @frank has written"...? I certainly hope I'm not writing things that are forcing you to ride!