Anatomy of a Photo: Rule #47

Leducq and Frantz enjoying a pair of Belgians
Leducq and Frantz writing a Rule  photo: via Il Dolore

André Leducq was a complete French Badass, with a capital B. He was third, below Merckx and Hinault for Tour de France stage wins. Nicolas Frantz was an equally Badass Luxembourger. He rode to more victories than Frandy Schleck shall ever attain in a few lifetimes. He did win the Tour de France.

The crowd is obviously pleased to have these thin, healthy supermen in their village. Bicycles are properly leaned against a wall. Their caps look a little dusty. Studying the glasses a person might guess they are enjoying some of Belgium’s finest beverage. Maybe, in the late 1920s the French brewed excellent beer. Are they drinking before a race or after a race? Can one look this good after a race back in the 1920s? Let’s assume this is post-race. Someone won, someone didn’t. Two rivals can still have a laugh and a glass of quality malted recovery beverage to make the day complete. These brothers of the road are enjoying some beautiful ale and having a nice time doing it.

As we have pointed out many times, we didn’t invent these Rules, we just wrote some of them down.

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98 Replies to “Anatomy of a Photo: Rule #47”

  1. Why do none of us ride with such spectacularly perfect goggles these days? Are we being to deliberate about looking magnificently casual  now?

  2. Here’s me at the bottom of the Col de la Madeline, observing Rule #47. I rode up,observed Rule #56 at the chalet, then led by example with Rule #55 and Rule #85. It goes without saying that all Kit related rules were also followed strictly, with the exception of Rule #22. However no one in France dared threaten me for straying inside the pub as I am of German descent and the French know better than to trifle with Ze Chermans.

  3. Nice one, Gianni! How about the buttons up the shoulder? Looking at the photo made me think, “Damn, those guys are skinny.”

    TBone – Nice photo! You look a bit Merckxian there. And, what gilet is that? Love the zebra stripes at the collar.

  4. @Ron

    TBone – Nice photo! You look a bit Merckxian there. And, what gilet is that? Love the zebra stripes at the collar.

    Thanks! It’s an Assos vest of some kind, I got it from my LBS at a deal, they claimed that half of the front had been bleached by the sun and sold it to me at cost.

  5. No fucking “podium caps” for those guys. No siree bob. As for the content of their glasses? It’s the blood of their opponents whom they have just slaughtered.

  6. @wiscot

    No fucking “podium caps” for those guys. No siree bob. As for the content of their glasses? It’s the blood of their opponents whom they have just slaughtered.

    Yeah, American baseball caps look really good on guys who are winning European cycling races.

    Sorry for that export, everyone.

  7. I never wore them that often but now that I masquerade as a Follower baseball caps just feel big & bulky. Combined with that fact that I’ve never far removed from riding a bike, they’re just waiting to blow off or not fit under a helmet.

    TBone – It looks really faded, better pass it along to me. I LOVE scoring deals on stuff, makes me smile every time I wear/ride/use it. Assos on sale, nice! I swear their bib prices have shot up in the last couple of years, since I bought a few at once.

  8. Today’s Trivia: What cyclist is Belgium’s most recent Grand Tour winner, as well as what year and what race?

    (I’ve never heard of him but was just reading an article and jeez, seems like a long time for such a nation, despite their focus on the Classics.)

  9. @Dr C

    If I not mistaken, that is Grimbergen Triple they are imbibing

    Pretty sure that beverage is a bit too dark to be a Trippel

  10. @Ron

    Today’s Trivia: What cyclist is Belgium’s most recent Grand Tour winner, as well as what year and what race?

    (I’ve never heard of him but was just reading an article and jeez, seems like a long time for such a nation, despite their focus on the Classics.)

    Lucien Van Impe, TdF 1976 – although Wiggins was born in Belgium wasn’t he?

  11. @JoeB

    Why do none of us ride with such spectacularly perfect goggles these days? Are we being to deliberate about looking magnificently casual now?

    Might be time to bring out the spoggles…

  12. @Ron

    Nice one, Gianni! How about the buttons up the shoulder? Looking at the photo made me think, “Damn, those guys are skinny.”

    TBone – Nice photo! You look a bit Merckxian there. And, what gilet is that? Love the zebra stripes at the collar.

    yea, the wool jersey that buttons up the shoulder, very nice indeed. I like that look. Dentist/cyclist. Too weird to do in modern materials, or not. Maybe a Velominati retro jersey with those buttons or snaps. Chicks would dig us then.

  13. @the Engine

    @Ron

    Today’s Trivia: What cyclist is Belgium’s most recent Grand Tour winner, as well as what year and what race?

    (I’ve never heard of him but was just reading an article and jeez, seems like a long time for such a nation, despite their focus on the Classics.)

    Lucien Van Impe, TdF 1976 – although Wiggins was born in Belgium wasn’t he?

    Johan De Muynck, 1978 Giro.

  14. Marvellous. There’s a picture of me somewhere supping a brew at the top of the Gavia. BEST. BEER. EVER.

    Whilst I can admire some of the spectacularly hopped efforts available over here, fizzy 7.5% wallop has been scrambling my swedes rather than gently massaging me into post ride intoxication. Note to California breweries…high performance athletes require, high volume, low(er) rocket fuel, refreshing beverages, preferably of minimal effervesence. Cask conditioning boyos. Believe.

    Mind you, a half litre or so of Russian imperial stout could be just the ticket to see you through a queen stage or two.

  15. Not only does the water go down the plug the other way, on this side of the planet, those bikes are are facing the opposite way and parked drive side to the wall!!

  16. Merckx! That is awesome!

    I will have a hoppy in honour of this tremendous photo. That’s the excuse at least.

    @TBONE @Ron

    Well played. Although, I think with the move to Poland and the rise in prices, Assos has seen a decline in quality. Santini.

  17. @Joe

    Marvellous. There’s a picture of me somewhere supping a brew at the top of the Gavia. BEST. BEER. EVER.

    Whilst I can admire some of the spectacularly hopped efforts available over here, fizzy 7.5% wallop has been scrambling my swedes rather than gently massaging me into post ride intoxication. Note to California breweries…high performance athletes require, high volume, low(er) rocket fuel, refreshing beverages, preferably of minimal effervesence. Cask conditioning boyos. Believe.

    Mind you, a half litre or so of Russian imperial stout could be just the ticket to see you through a queen stage or two.

    I feel your pain. Too hopped, Too strong. Too foamy. Too pissed after two pints. As we americans (and velominati) usually do, we take a good thing and take it too far. I miss the cask conditioned pints of England.

    A long time ago I spent some time in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are some nice breweries and outdoor beer gardens. It didn’t dawn on us for a long time that the beer was 3.2% alcohol, by law. But I loved being able to drink a few post-ride pints and not be ruined. My wife was not amused, she wanted her fair share in every pint, bless her. Cursed the mormons for it.

  18. @Gianni

    yea, the wool jersey that buttons up the shoulder, very nice indeed. I like that look. Dentist/cyclist. Too weird to do in modern materials, or not. Maybe a Velominati retro jersey with those buttons or snaps. Chicks would dig us then.

    We totally need a wool throwback V-Jersey. Of course, you’re only allowed to wear it if you also have sew-ups crossed over your shoulders…

  19. Great photo. Would love to know the background to it. The crowd seem to be watching avidly. They glasses are about equally full. The drinkers are well away from the bar and standing. All this suggests some local ritual or ceremony that is a featured part of the event.  Or perhaps the winner was presented with a magnum of finest brew and offered on the spot to share it with his vanquished opponent. In any event, a great find, and proof positive of the significance or Rule #47.

  20. @Gianni – you are so unutterably correct about the benefits of ‘slow rehydration.’

    Alas I must confess my only interaction with booze in Utah was buying a 6 pack of corona from a petrol station after narrowly avoiding a flaming viking exit when the fuel pump on my car exploded and doused me in Yeager bombs.

    It need to be a lot stronger than 2.6pc….

    Ah the dichotomy….Fullers 1845 at the (bottom) then top of the hill, then some cool refreshing Hophead therafter. 3d fitness in a nutshell…

  21. @Nate

    @the Engine

    @Ron

    Today’s Trivia: What cyclist is Belgium’s most recent Grand Tour winner, as well as what year and what race?

    (I’ve never heard of him but was just reading an article and jeez, seems like a long time for such a nation, despite their focus on the Classics.)

    Lucien Van Impe, TdF 1976 – although Wiggins was born in Belgium wasn’t he?

    Johan De Muynck, 1978 Giro.

    Bugger – Wiggo it is then

  22. @Gianni

    @Joe

    Marvellous. There’s a picture of me somewhere supping a brew at the top of the Gavia. BEST. BEER. EVER.

    Whilst I can admire some of the spectacularly hopped efforts available over here, fizzy 7.5% wallop has been scrambling my swedes rather than gently massaging me into post ride intoxication. Note to California breweries…high performance athletes require, high volume, low(er) rocket fuel, refreshing beverages, preferably of minimal effervesence. Cask conditioning boyos. Believe.

    Mind you, a half litre or so of Russian imperial stout could be just the ticket to see you through a queen stage or two.

    I feel your pain. Too hopped, Too strong. Too foamy. Too pissed after two pints. As we americans (and velominati) usually do, we take a good thing and take it too far. I miss the cask conditioned pints of England.

    A long time ago I spent some time in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are some nice breweries and outdoor beer gardens. It didn’t dawn on us for a long time that the beer was 3.2% alcohol, by law. But I loved being able to drink a few post-ride pints and not be ruined. My wife was not amused, she wanted her fair share in every pint, bless her. Cursed the mormons for it.

    Have I done the “American beer is like having sex in a canoe” gag recently?

  23. @Cyclops

    from the looks of euphoria on their faces it is obvious that they are drinking Rochefort 10

    Just when I’m trying to knuckle down and get myself back on the bike and off the booze you have to remind me that there’s a few 10s kicking round the house somewhere. Thanks.

    Love that glass, I’m going to have to keep an eye out for one of those on ebay.

  24. @Chris It could almost be described as a chalice, and not used for any other type of bevarage either.

  25. @strathlubnaig Indeed, it doesn’t bear thinking about one being used for anything else.

    My daughter has taken to using my KT12 V-Pint Pot. I shall have to drop her off south of Arenberg and tell her she’s quite welcome use it once she’s founder her way to the velodrome without missing any of the secteurs.

  26. @Gianni

    @Joe

    Marvellous. There’s a picture of me somewhere supping a brew at the top of the Gavia. BEST. BEER. EVER.

    Whilst I can admire some of the spectacularly hopped efforts available over here, fizzy 7.5% wallop has been scrambling my swedes rather than gently massaging me into post ride intoxication. Note to California breweries…high performance athletes require, high volume, low(er) rocket fuel, refreshing beverages, preferably of minimal effervesence. Cask conditioning boyos. Believe.

    Mind you, a half litre or so of Russian imperial stout could be just the ticket to see you through a queen stage or two.

    I feel your pain. Too hopped, Too strong. Too foamy. Too pissed after two pints. As we americans (and velominati) usually do, we take a good thing and take it too far. I miss the cask conditioned pints of England.

    A long time ago I spent some time in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are some nice breweries and outdoor beer gardens. It didn’t dawn on us for a long time that the beer was 3.2% alcohol, by law. But I loved being able to drink a few post-ride pints and not be ruined. My wife was not amused, she wanted her fair share in every pint, bless her. Cursed the mormons for it.

    I visited a friend there in 2002 and we attended an AHL hockey game, where I purchased a full-cost beer. Halfway through the beer I thought something was up. Full-price yet half the alcohol? Not cool, Mormons, not cool. I honestly don’t know why we’ve ceded an entire state with great outdoor attractions to one nutty group of Christians. 99% white. No thank you. And half-pop beer? No thank you.

  27. And I grew up with Mormon friends so don’t think I’m pre-judging them. I have first hand knowledge that they’re nutty.

  28. @Ron

    And I grew up with Mormon friends so don’t think I’m pre-judging them. I have first hand knowledge that they’re nutty.

    To make a small generalization I love fuck’in Mormans.  There are a ton of them in the military and all the ones that I personally know and have fought with are hardcore, committed, incredibly honourable and have integrity to spare.  Totally can count on them in any situation.  But yea, totally fucked what they believe in.  Dude behind a curtain with silver tablets that he lost/buried in the backyard while personally chatting with the Man upstairs.  Sounds like a classic schizo break to me but they didn’t have lithium back then so we got Mormanism instead.   

    But then again, I claim to be a Christian and if you read deeply into that it really is not too much more credible than Mormanism except that it all happened 2000 years ago instead of 200 years ago.   

    Yeah, I’m going to hell.

  29. @Buck Rogers

    @Ron

    And I grew up with Mormon friends so don’t think I’m pre-judging them. I have first hand knowledge that they’re nutty.

    To make a small generalization I love fuck’in Mormans. There are a ton of them in the military and all the ones that I personally know and have fought with are hardcore, committed, incredibly honourable and have integrity to spare. Totally can count on them in any situation. But yea, totally fucked what they believe in. Dude behind a curtain with silver tablets that he lost/buried in the backyard while personally chatting with the Man upstairs. Sounds like a classic schizo break to me but they didn’t have lithium back then so we got Mormanism instead.

    But then again, I claim to be a Christian and if you read deeply into that it really is not too much more credible than Mormanism except that it all happened 2000 years ago instead of 200 years ago.

    Yeah, I’m going to hell.

    See you there! I’ve been told that I have a spot reserved for me next to a big open fire so that my corpse won’t get cold…..or was that in the fire?

  30. @Ron

    @Gianni

    @Joe

    Marvellous. There’s a picture of me somewhere supping a brew at the top of the Gavia. BEST. BEER. EVER.

    Whilst I can admire some of the spectacularly hopped efforts available over here, fizzy 7.5% wallop has been scrambling my swedes rather than gently massaging me into post ride intoxication. Note to California breweries…high performance athletes require, high volume, low(er) rocket fuel, refreshing beverages, preferably of minimal effervesence. Cask conditioning boyos. Believe.

    Mind you, a half litre or so of Russian imperial stout could be just the ticket to see you through a queen stage or two.

    I feel your pain. Too hopped, Too strong. Too foamy. Too pissed after two pints. As we americans (and velominati) usually do, we take a good thing and take it too far. I miss the cask conditioned pints of England.

    A long time ago I spent some time in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are some nice breweries and outdoor beer gardens. It didn’t dawn on us for a long time that the beer was 3.2% alcohol, by law. But I loved being able to drink a few post-ride pints and not be ruined. My wife was not amused, she wanted her fair share in every pint, bless her. Cursed the mormons for it.

    I visited a friend there in 2002 and we attended an AHL hockey game, where I purchased a full-cost beer. Halfway through the beer I thought something was up. Full-price yet half the alcohol? Not cool, Mormons, not cool. I honestly don’t know why we’ve ceded an entire state with great outdoor attractions to one nutty group of Christians. 99% white. No thank you. And half-pop beer? No thank you.

    Next time you’re there try some Polygamy Porter.  Tasty stuff even if it is only 4%

  31. @Buck Rogers

    To make a small generalization I love fuck’in Mormans.

    I fucked a Mormon once (well several times). She wasn’t a very good Mormon but a dislike of underwear and a fondness for outdoor activities made her a pretty good fuck.

  32. Well, my slandering of a group of people has really taken on some interesting directions. Nice work, lads!

    Nate – Strong work, you got it!

    Also, might Philippe Gilbert’s lack of form be the result of the Curse of the Club Fit Kit? Pearl Izumi doesn’t look so hot on the WC.

  33. @JoeB

    One of the Pavé boys – Alex Voisine – is a nutjob for oldschool racing; I believe André Leducq is his idol. He’s got a 1919 period accurate cobble-eating fixie that he raced on the Strade Bianche last year. He also organized a fixie edition of Paris-Roubaix. To each their own. 

    But Alex doesn’t fuck around.

    He also races his Penny Farthing, which is crazy.

  34. @frank

    One of the Pavé boys – Alex Voisine – is a nutjob for oldschool racing; I believe André Leducq is his idol. He’s got a 1919 period accurate cobble-eating fixie that he raced on the Strade Bianche last year. He also organized a fixie edition of Paris-Roubaix. To each their own.

    But Alex doesn’t fuck around.

    Alex’s bike handling skills are astonishing – serious chapeau to the man

  35. @Joe

    @Gianni – you are so unutterably correct about the benefits of ‘slow rehydration.’

    Alas I must confess my only interaction with booze in Utah was buying a 6 pack of corona from a petrol station after narrowly avoiding a flaming viking exit when the fuel pump on my car exploded and doused me in Yeager bombs.

    It need to be a lot stronger than 2.6pc….

    Ah the dichotomy….Fullers 1845 at the (bottom) then top of the hill, then some cool refreshing Hophead therafter. 3d fitness in a nutshell…

    Its all a matter of training your liver. Drink enough of them, raise your tolerance for the alkeehol, and off you go popping a half dozen before getting ruined.

  36. @Chris

    @Cyclops

    from the looks of euphoria on their faces it is obvious that they are drinking Rochefort 10

    Just when I’m trying to knuckle down and get myself back on the bike and off the booze you have to remind me that there’s a few 10s kicking round the house somewhere. Thanks.

    Love that glass, I’m going to have to keep an eye out for one of those on ebay.

    It doesn’t look like the one I’ve got. I’ll have to go ducking around the cupboards to see what’s gone on with it.

  37. @frank

    @Chris

    @Cyclops

    from the looks of euphoria on their faces it is obvious that they are drinking Rochefort 10

    Just when I’m trying to knuckle down and get myself back on the bike and off the booze you have to remind me that there’s a few 10s kicking round the house somewhere. Thanks.

    Love that glass, I’m going to have to keep an eye out for one of those on ebay.

    It doesn’t look like the one I’ve got. I’ll have to go ducking around the cupboards to see what’s gone on with it.

    There are similar examples, new, on ebay at the moment.

    Speaking of fine vessels from which to imbibe malted recovery drinks, what’s the story with the KT13 V-Pints? As a part-time attendee was that an optional extra that I’ve missed the boat on? Did you also mention that there was also some exclusive defeet gear that had gotten itself caught up in the postal/customs system somewhere or is that thought the result of having my brain shaken to bits on the pave before being marinaded in Malteni?

  38. Not sure if this is the appropriate venue for this question, but here goes.  I have a serious problem with dry eyes on long rides.  Even when wearing sunglasses, after four or five hours, one eye dries out to the point where I can’t even see out of it, and the other eye gets pretty marginal.  Not pleasant and downright dangerous. So, if I were to obtain and wear a set of old school goggles, like the gentleman in the photo above, would that be a rules violation?  Would I have to obtain and wear the rest of the old school kit–button collar wool shirt, cap, etc?  Could I put the helmet straps over the google straps?  So many issues.

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