Andrei Tchmil got so tired of the palpable disappointment of not being Belgian that he decided to become one. Envision the world the way you want it to be, then make it so.
People are cynical when I talk about Belgium. They think I’m only Belgian on paper. That is not true. Yes, I was a Russian, even a proud one…. Now I am proud to be Belgian.
A-Merckx; I totally understand the Awesome you’re on about.
Incidentally, I’m so inappropriately excited about Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012 that I can’t promise next week won’t be another week of unabashed, full-frontal Belgian Toothpaste Porn.
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a slightly clearer picture.
The carnage on that road behind Tchmil must have been ugly. Notice how the spectators are casually deliberate...in that part of the world it is normal to be stading in the middle of some random field while a pro peloton charges through soupy, mucky, slick as snot, bumpy farm roads.
Jeez, you wouldn't want to run Speedplays in that!
It's odd to think that most people see Belgium as a rather dreary irrelevant place that should really be a northern region of France, famous only for chocolate, beer and Tin Tin.
Ha, these photos make me even happier I just picked up my second cross bike! While road bikes are awesome for the right job, a cx bike with road tires is damn versatile.
(Anyone use/have suggestion/advice on tire liners? I'm thinking about using some with Continental 4Season tires for when I do hit the trail/path a bit. Going to run one cx bike tubeless & race ready, the other more road oriented, but big enough tires to hit light trails...or Belgian Mud Soup!)
Happy 11-11-11 Followers!
I'm also amazed how many PROs are able to ride with bare knees in crazy weather. I guess they are Hardmen AND maybe have some embrocation on there.
After two years of livin' in the South (U.S.) I'm a full-on wimp with the temperature. I'll ride in anything, but now when it goes below 60*F I need knee warmers, maybe arm warmers, and full-finger gloves. I used to scoff at what people wore when I first moved down here; I might now scoff if I saw me!
@Ron
I think a lot of pros cover up a good bit when they are training. At race intensity it's less necessary. But the other thing is if it's cold AND wet, sopping knee warmers are worse than useless. Better to embro up and maybe put a layer of vaseline on top for extra water repelling and insulation.
BRR in fine form this morning -- and on topic.
Oooh and the inspiration just keeps coming. Tchmil had the best pain face. One hard mother effer.
Thanks fort that.
Here's another great one, of a young Tchmil, racing for Alfa Lum, one of my favorite teams. BAD. ASS. The main pic is so grainy, but how can you turn your back on it's awesomeness. You can't, you just accept the graininess and move on.
@frank
That's awesome, they are clearly just getting onto the first cobbled sector as the kits are clean. Also, gratuitous Castorama sighting on the right. Is that Luc Leblanc, with the former champion of France bands on his sleeves?