How Did We Get to Here?

How did we get to here? Here is Frank, the founder of Velominati, standing next to Eddy Merckx. Eddy is looking at The Rules, in Rouleur’s book-zine format. Frank is in his best button down sweater, trying to keep his shit together. And it is not easy for him to do this as Rouleur has invited him to London and now he is showing The Rules to Eddy Merckx.

The first time I met Frank he was wearing a Rouleur cycling cap (in a pre-Rules world, so no foul). The Velominati website is directly inspired by Rouleur magazine. Rouleur is a big, dense tome (or book-zine) of the best cycling writing and photography one can buy. It’s not cheap but why should excellence come cheap?

That Frank (or Velominati-The Rules, his billing on the invite) was invited to London to partake in this festivus is due to his persistence and unfiltered love of all things Cycling. A less persistent person would have told all of us to sod off and stopped paying the site’s hosting bills years ago. That Velominati is still here is because there are enough cycling fanatics out there who participate on the site and are not put off by everyone else’s dickish comments. We are amused by each other’s dickish comments. Personally I live for them. The Rules might be what gets the site notoriety but for those that enjoy the site frequently, it’s the daily surprises and humor that keep us coming back.

We should all take pride and pleasure that Frank is over there, representing all of us, having a laugh with Cipo, Fabian, David Millar and especially Eddy. Viva La Vie Velominatus.

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103 Replies to “How Did We Get to Here?”

  1. Standing next to the man himself?!  Badass! Im assuming our rules are worthy?

  2. Whilst to his left Eddy’s security wonders how long to give this harmless looking weirdo in the cardie.

    @frank strong , strong work, but where do you go from here?

  3. Someday, in 20 years or so…maybe after the Rules and/or Velominati are no more and maybe not…the story of the time @frank met The Prophet will have morphed into Frank dropping Eddy in a town limit sign sprint during an impromptu Cogal on the outskirts of Brussels. Rouler will still exist. London will still exist. They will still be in the story of how “Eddy met Frank.” But that sprint and it’s story will say nothing of either.

  4. Chapeau @frank … chapeau!

    It has been one of the great pleasures in my life to have you ride me off your wheel, and to then return the following year to return the favour.

    Now there’s only:

    1. Riding on Maui with @Gianni
    2. Getting dirty down under with @brett
    3. UK/Europe with
    4. the cobbles
    5. Heck of the North
    6. Fuck, this is getting to be a long list… imagonnastopnow

    Thank you.

  5. I’ve been drinking Vedett and eating moules et frites down my local in preparation for a day at the Rouleur Classic tomorrow

  6. I saw these last night at the Rouleur Classic. Stunning.

    I also saw Eddy sign a copy of his for some lucky soul.

    Envious, moi?

  7. @the Engine

    Best picture ever – strong work Frank, strong work…

    @frank told me you were coming down for it. It’s a shame we were there on different nights and couldn’t meet up for a beer.

  8. Sometimes we are in awe of those who inspire. Sometimes we are just in awe. What do you say to the man who is the cornerstone for all that is sacred in a cyclist manifesto that has extended it’s impact upon belivers around the globe? Bring back a good story about this moment! So very frickin cool.

    This is a tanker truck full of awesome.

  9. Holy smokes! What did the prophet say???

    I have prided myself on my ability to play it cool when running across famous people, even telling one (oh so politely) to leave. I’m not sure I could hold my shit together in that situation.

  10. @chris

    Whilst to his left Eddy’s security wonders how long to give this harmless looking weirdo in the cardie.

    @frank strong , strong work, but where do you go from here?

    I believe the expression is, “Down the pub.”

  11. @Stephen

    Someday, in 20 years or so…maybe after the Rules and/or Velominati are no more and maybe not…the story of the time @frank met The Prophet will have morphed into Frank dropping Eddy in a town limit sign sprint during an impromptu Cogal on the outskirts of Brussels. Rouler will still exist. London will still exist. They will still be in the story of how “Eddy met Frank.” But that sprint and it’s story will say nothing of either.

    I don’t want to get all political and shit, but what you captured here is precisely why terrorism will never succeed.

  12. Congrats, Frank!! I’m still pissed that I missed you receiving your PhV at MacMaster.  Keep spreading the V!

  13. @Ccos

    Holy smokes! What did the prophet say???

    I have prided myself on my ability to play it cool when running across famous people, even telling one (oh so politely) to leave. I’m not sure I could hold my shit together in that situation.

    Merckx is such a chill dude, it’s super easy. He flipped to his photo of Puy du Dome and said, “Ah, not my favorite day.”

  14. One of my favorite non-cycling related prophet stories comes from a cardiology conference in Europe. A physician showed a slide of a chest X-ray showing someone with hyper-inflated lungs and a massively enlarged heart and asked for a diagnosis.

    “Pulmonary hypertension,”  “myocarditis,” “dilated cardiomyopathy” were some of the shouted out answers.

    “It’s Eddy Merckx” was his response which was followed by a prolonged period of silence (and awe I’m sure).

  15. @frank

    Superb!  When meeting the Prophet, one must always dress appropriately keen.  Nice tie knot, I’m sure the offering was accepted.  Must be the highlight of the year so far.  To have been deemed worthy….nice.

  16. @frank

    @chris

    Whilst to his left Eddy’s security wonders how long to give this harmless looking weirdo in the cardie.

    @frank strong , strong work, but where do you go from here?

    I believe the expression is, “Down the pub.”

    Perfect.

  17. It seems like the expression on Eddy’s face is the one that spy masters in the movies have right before they murder the rival spy. Which may or may not be relevant here.

  18. Sometime the stars do align.

    Way to go @frank! There’s not many of us with such continental style. Hope you invited him to the next Cogal.

    And thanks for picking up the tab in Langley!…you were gone before I could thank you. Next time!

  19. @Ccos

    Holy smokes! What did the prophet say???

    I have prided myself on my ability to play it cool when running across famous people, even telling one (oh so politely) to leave. I’m not sure I could hold my shit together in that situation.

    I’m just thrilled not to have the expression on my face demonstrated kindly by the BIC ride behind us!

    I did shake his hand a few too many times because I kept blacking out and couldn’t remember whether I’d done it or not. My short-term memory was basically reduced to about 3 seconds.

  20. @frank

    @chris

    Whilst to his left Eddy’s security wonders how long to give this harmless looking weirdo in the cardie.

    @frank strong , strong work, but where do you go from here?

    I believe the expression is, “Down the pub.”

    I assume you’ve found that proper pint sized beer, then.

  21. @chris

    @frank

    @chris

    Whilst to his left Eddy’s security wonders how long to give this harmless looking weirdo in the cardie.

    @frank strong , strong work, but where do you go from here?

    I believe the expression is, “Down the pub.”

    I assume you’ve found that proper pint sized beer, then.

    Wrong weekend to choose to go to Tenby, still the sun is out here.

  22. Frank, great job. The pride is beaming from your face…and are they droplets of sweat on your face? and at what point did you decide it was a good idea to breath? All kidding aside, well deserved for your hard work and passion for our sport!

  23. Congrats, Frank and thanks to you and all the Keepers for keeping this site open for like-minded cycling nuts to congregate.

  24. A checked shirt, tie and cardigan… smooth, very. And best, not a silly bow tie. Just classic. And the book was possibly autographed? By the author for Eddy yes? Too cool. Cheers @frank

  25. Incredible! Congratulations Frank and all the Keepers for your continued love, passion, and immersion in the beauty of the sport. What a photo! I cannot imagine what it would be like to meet Eddy, as he seems a mere myth, not flesh and blood.

    If only more of us could meet the heroes we’ve held in the highest esteem since we were just lads. Wow. And to have him thumbing through your own book/words. Even better!

    I’m just happy I can be a small part of this community. Stuck inside today on this lovely fall day working, but tomorrow I’ll rise early and fit a road ride in before some more work. No matter, as long as I can ride my bike daily, I can have a smile on my face.

    Thanks Keepers and Followers alike for sustaining all the fun that these parts offer. It’s truly special and when I zip up my V-jersey tomorrow, I’ll do it proudly.

  26. @wilburrox

    A checked shirt, tie and cardigan… smooth, very. And best, not a silly bow tie. Just classic. And the book was possibly autographed? By the author for Eddy yes? Too cool. Cheers @frank

    Ha, I was just thinking…jeez, LS shirt plus cardigan…has me feeling hot. Sure looks good, but I can’t do double layers indoors or I get hot and being hot makes me crazy. I run hot blooded though, as all Yankees should.

    As for bow ties. I’ve always liked them but I’ve refrained from wearing one until I felt I deserved it. Come May when I complete my doctoral degree, I shall wear a bow tie for the first time in my life. Thankfully I’m excellent at knot tying from stringing lacrosse sticks and fly fishing.

  27. @frank

    @Ccos

    Holy smokes! What did the prophet say???

    I have prided myself on my ability to play it cool when running across famous people, even telling one (oh so politely) to leave. I’m not sure I could hold my shit together in that situation.

    I’m just thrilled not to have the expression on my face demonstrated kindly by the BIC ride behind us!

    I did shake his hand a few too many times because I kept blacking out and couldn’t remember whether I’d done it or not. My short-term memory was basically reduced to about 3 seconds.

    Ahh, just like a puppy

  28. Seriously though, congratulations to you @frank @Gianni and @brett.

    The pride on frank’s face in the photo says it all.

    Onward and upward.

  29. Goodness @frank that is nothing short of Cool as Fuck. You have officially surpassed my meeting with Valentino (crosses self) Campagnolo in Rome. Official girl wood, right here. Chapeau.

  30. @CycleChick

    Goodness @frank that is nothing short of Cool as Fuck. You have officially surpassed my meeting with Valentino (crosses self) Campagnolo in Rome. Official girl wood, right here. Chapeau.

    He may be too bleedin’ high and bloody mighty to hang out with the likes of us now.

    Joshua Riddle, your buddy, was at this event and he and Frank got together so maybe Velominati can do some business with Campagnolo. That would be nice.

  31. @frank

    @Ccos

    Holy smokes! What did the prophet say???

    I have prided myself on my ability to play it cool when running across famous people, even telling one (oh so politely) to leave. I’m not sure I could hold my shit together in that situation.

    Merckx is such a chill dude, it’s super easy. He flipped to his photo of Puy du Dome and said, “Ah, not my favorite day.”

    Did you just call Eddy Merkx a dude?

  32. @Gianni

    Ah, I hope so. Lovely man, Joshua. It would indeed be a match made in heaven. I would even consider coming to the bridal shower. I warn you though, I may be intoxicated.

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