brad stockwell wrote:
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> Ted Ernst, Uncorked
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> The southern Cal crowd has a propensity for riding bikes with corks hanging from their saddle rails, and these were once again in evidence via Chuck, Brian, and Matt. I asked Brian for the straight dope on this matter, and he traced it to a Ted Ernst tradition, wherein the aforementioned item serves as inspiration to uncork a blazing sprint effort.
Brad,
The "cork thang" is a fixture of the Rose Bowl vintage rides and Velo Rendezvous events.
Below is what's printed on the card that went with cork on a key chain that a lot of us SoCal people hang from our Brooks, Ideale and Unicanitors...
Cycling Lore From Days Of Yore (By Ted Ernst)
What's with the cork hanging on your saddle?
In days of old, when bike riders were bold, and a fixed gear was all they'd need, with lots of torque they attached a cork, and rode away with speed.
Corks in cycling vernacular date back at least to the 1920's, probably originating at the steeply banked wood track indoor 6-Day Bike Races. During the halcyon years of cycling in the tens, twenties, and thirties, trackside at the 6-day race was one of the places where the social set went to be seen. Sitting next to the action at their infield tables, it was chic for the "swells" to sip champagne and dine while giving the track stewards money for sprint laps to liven up the racing activity. The speedy, smooth, muscular shaved legs, whirling wheels and sparkling sprockets, and the sensuous aroma of the various rub down lotions had more than a few femme fatales asking about and turning an eye or ankle to the studly -- re -- sturdy bike racers.
Soon the jargon evolved. When a cork was popped, power was released, bubbles escaped, the elixir went flat, no more oomph or energy. So, dropping your cork or having no more cork means you're out of it, flat, dead, pooped, no more stuff. Ergo, the racers would hang a cork on their bikes so they'd never bee "out" of cork. There would always be one more effort left for a "jam" or sprint. Conversely, if a rider said he "uncorked" a sprint, well, he "jumped," "wound" it up, and took off. Or, if he pulled their corks, he went so hard the opposition got "dropped," shook" off, and had no cork left. They were decimated. HAH! Great Fun!
Commercially, bar plugs were not yet in standard production. In spills, riders could easily get gouged by the edges of the handlebar and stem tubes. Ouch! Instead of just taping over the openings, our friendly cork came to the rescue! Corks were filed and/or sanded, inserted into the openings, and often painted to match the rider's bike or team colors. The corks were also used to plug the bottom of the fork crown. Dirt and moisture were kept out. Light, inexpensive, and effective.
Now you know why Ted has one on each of his bikes, road and track. A subtle reminder that no matter how tired you think you are, you've always got a little cork left!
Go for it! If you would like a cork of your very own for your bike, drop by Ted Ernst Bicycles -- Tri-Zombies, 110 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. It's free!, and you will always have a little "cork" left for that last sprint, jam, or gap closing. Enjoy your cycling, be safe, wear your helmet, and get corked so you will also be part of cycling's exciting and romantic tradition.
In the drops, it's the low down from Ted. 1/29/99
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
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