"The pack's closing in on him and he's really on the rivet now."
I suppose I should explain the term "On the Rivet" for those who might be clueless about cycling terminology.
Once upon a time, all bicycles had leather saddles. Despite what some people might say, those things were only slightly more comfortable than unfinished two-by-fours. No manner of leather dressing and "breaking-in" ever got them to where they were more than merely tolerable. I rode on a number of those saddles back in the day, so I know what I'm talking about.
At any rate, the leather on these saddles was attached to the steel frame with metal (brass on the more expensive saddles) rivets, one of which was always on the top of the tip of the saddle. Now ordinarily one's nether regions were rarely in contact with that part of the seat, but when things got really, really hard and you were pushing for all you were worth, you would always tend to slide way forward on the saddle so that you were sitting, for all practical purposes, "on the rivet."
So, for generations, the term "on the rivet" has been used to describe a rider who is making a hard, concentrated effort. Never mind that most saddles in use over the last 15 years or so haven't had rivets. If you've ever watched Phil Liggett or Paul Sherwin as they cover the Tour de France, you've heard the term used.
Of course like many sports terms, this one sometimes finds it's way into general use, and indeed I often feel like I've been 'on the rivet' for the last 15 years, and, yes, the pack is closing in fast.
- Roadrider
I suppose I should explain the term "On the Rivet" for those who might be clueless about cycling terminology.
Once upon a time, all bicycles had leather saddles. Despite what some people might say, those things were only slightly more comfortable than unfinished two-by-fours. No manner of leather dressing and "breaking-in" ever got them to where they were more than merely tolerable. I rode on a number of those saddles back in the day, so I know what I'm talking about.
At any rate, the leather on these saddles was attached to the steel frame with metal (brass on the more expensive saddles) rivets, one of which was always on the top of the tip of the saddle. Now ordinarily one's nether regions were rarely in contact with that part of the seat, but when things got really, really hard and you were pushing for all you were worth, you would always tend to slide way forward on the saddle so that you were sitting, for all practical purposes, "on the rivet."
So, for generations, the term "on the rivet" has been used to describe a rider who is making a hard, concentrated effort. Never mind that most saddles in use over the last 15 years or so haven't had rivets. If you've ever watched Phil Liggett or Paul Sherwin as they cover the Tour de France, you've heard the term used.
Of course like many sports terms, this one sometimes finds it's way into general use, and indeed I often feel like I've been 'on the rivet' for the last 15 years, and, yes, the pack is closing in fast.
- Roadrider
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