Issue 13: Superstitions and Strange Rituals
Tyler Farrar following tradition by turning his #13 upside down for this weeks race. Photo: Slipstream Sports
There’s a practice in the pro peloton of turning the number 13 upside down. They do it to undo the bad luck that comes with wearing the number 13. Euro pros are as superstitious as gypsies. And for us amateurs, the food must be just right too. While some cyclists may eat a chunk off of a giant loaf of bread, eat tater tots or a taco before the start of a race, or a taco, my routine includes a couple eggs on toast and a pre-race or ride Mexican coke.
Coke in a musette bag, ready to go
Then just a bit of sugar in the bottle and a bar in the pocket.
Gluten-friendly racer
It’s the superstitions and strange rituals that accent our culture like flavorful, crunchy salad condiments.
Our 13th issue drops in a month with a Friday the 13th, so that was an obvious theme to discuss lucky socks, embrocation routines, shaving legs, and so on.
I’ve saved these Mavic socks since I got them in ‘95 and not sure for what, but when the time is right, I got a clean pair!
Lucky socks stashed away for a 19 years
Joining us for the first time too for this issue are Timothy Jackson and Jim Merithew, both industry insiders and contributors with the voices we prefer to publish. Also a Jamaican “pepper” ride report from Patrick Brady of Red Kite Prayer.
Issue 13 dropped on iTunes and browsers everywhere last Friday.
The 13th.