Anatomy of a Photo: Injustice

The hair, the shoes, the slicks. That's enough for me.

One of my favorite pass times is to chuck a cycling term into Google’s Image Search, set the filter to Large, and see what turns up. It is incredible how much porn you have to sift through, by the way. I would really think words like “shaved” and “hardman” would be innocent enough, but take it from me – that is not the case.

I have found, however, that through perseverance, determination, and a dash of grit comes reward, and this photo is evidence of that. I don’t know who this strapping young stud is, but he wrote at least one of the chapters in the Book of Awesome. The hair, the cap, the brazen expression, the jersey, the guns, the Chuck Taylors, and riding cross on slicks. And that’s not a fucking compact, either. Well done, my son. It is an injustice beyond comprehension that you did not become a Giant of the Road.

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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Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Jan 19 2011 at 9:34 pm

@Brett
Hey, I'll go with Pacifica in '77. Good find!
nvvelominati says:

Jan 19 2011 at 10:20 pm

There are certain pictures that elicit respect. Both Brett's and Frank's pics are glorious examples of who we are trying to achieve. I'd say what we are trying to achieve, but it is the soul of the V, the essence of a hardman that makes it who we are trying to achieve to be. Clark, you have real arms too.
Pedale.Forchetta says:

Jan 20 2011 at 1:45 am

As a keen cyclist and photographer I could not ask for more.
Ron says:

Jan 20 2011 at 5:16 am

Both of those photos are grand. I'd never have noticed the CTs unless they were pointed out. Clark Natwick is an awesome name too.

G'phant - that is a pretty damn funny story.
Rob says:

Jan 20 2011 at 6:07 am

Natwick was one of those kids that had results in Velonews all the time back in the day when it was a black and white news print affair and yes I too thought he looked familiar. Thanks for digging this up and trust some one like Jeff here to put it together - well done. My cute probation officer would be very upset if she found any of those nasty words in my search history...
frank says:

Jan 20 2011 at 6:39 am

@G'phant

An NZ netanatic was demonstrating search engines at a semniar. Being a Kiwi, he chose to do this by entering "all blacks" and absentmindedly clicking on the first site suggested before turning his back on the slowly-loading screen while he addressed his audience. Members of said audience gradually became more and more alarmed / agitated / interested as the giant screen slowly loaded a picture which had nothing to do with rugby (albeit a lot to do with full contact "sport").

Oh dear.

@Buck Rogers, @Brett

Dave Stoller's stunt double?

HA! He totally could be!
frank says:

Jan 20 2011 at 6:42 am

@mightyninja, @Jeff in PetroMetro

Google such words as: shaved, hardman, lube, chain, position, velcro, stroke, etc. You know.

Is it wrong that I giggled like a school girl when I read that?
frank says:

Jan 20 2011 at 6:48 am

How cool is this start line?

I guess he is involved in coaching now. http://www.clarknatwickcoaching.com/

Looking through the Workouts section, I'm surprised not to find any mention of drinking DuMonde Tech, eating worn-out cogs, pump flagellation. Apparently he could use some help in the marketing department.

http://www.clarknatwickcoaching.com/workouts
Buck Rogers says:

Jan 20 2011 at 8:46 am

@frank

Damn! Pump flagellation???? Pretty sure I'm not going to google that term either anytime dsoon!
Cyclops says:

Jan 20 2011 at 8:57 am

Googling cycling hardman get this:

I wonder why everybody in the picture is smiling?