Categories: Belgian AffirmationsFolkloreKeepers TourNostalgiaThe Hardmen

Belgian Affirmations: Andrei Tchmil

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.

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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il ciclista medio says:

Nov 13 2011 at 12:02 am

Found this a little while back and while DiBasco and Cipo's not down and dirty, who cares when they looks this good? Like, I ain't messing this up..

and this does suit the thread
il ciclista medio says:

Nov 13 2011 at 12:08 am

Just admiring that first one again...Cipo, oakley's, a beautiful Bianchi with a silver fork rake to die for, a ponytail, a six pack, may be some man-scaping...my beating heart don't fail me now
mouse says:

Nov 13 2011 at 1:32 am

@Marko

It's like looking into a beautiful majestic waterfall made out of rainbows and unicorn vaginas. It's fuckin' majestic man.

Heh, heh, heh.
@Marko said Unicorn Vaginas.
Where's @Minion and @JiPM when you need them?
Marko says:

Nov 13 2011 at 4:53 am

Back to the Chiapucci pic, the Coke water bottles alone make that pic.

And the wee-man in the black and white pic riding his bike up a scree slope for Christ's sake. It's like the men with the picks and shovels are right in front of him make the "road" for him as he pedals on his way. Epic.

The checkered hat is no good. Looks like a B movie being made about bike racing and Elvis is going to pop out of that car and start singing.
Marko says:

Nov 13 2011 at 5:30 am

RIP Franco

RIP Wouter

Daniel Day-Lewis used to race bikes.

I'm going to declare right now in front of all of you that the FAEMA Flandria black shorts with WC jersey as worn here by VanLooy is the best looking kit of all time.
Marko says:

Nov 13 2011 at 5:59 am

One more.
scaler911 says:

Nov 13 2011 at 6:14 am

@Oli

That's not Simpson or Anquetil, I'm afraid! I think the hat guy is Rudi Altig, and I have no idea about the Salvarani rider but I know it's not Maitre Jacques as he never rode for that team...

@ChrisO

@scaler911
Is that really Tom Simpson ? He looks so different to the more gaunt photos one usually sees (apart from also being so used to seeing him in the classic Peugeot strip).

You're both right of course. I've gotta stop posting after a few IPA's. I'm thinking Frank is going to demote me back to level 4.
Routier says:

Nov 13 2011 at 6:45 am

Bob Roll getting it a bit wrong

In 1970 Merckx attacked with 31km to go and won with a 5+ minute gap on RDV
The 1000 yard stare
Otoman says:

Nov 13 2011 at 7:41 am

Wow. I love that Arenberg photo. It beautifully defines cycling and suffering. Great find.
wiscot says:

Nov 13 2011 at 7:59 am

@Marko
No-one, and I mean no-one, ever looked as good in the WC jersey as Van Looy. I challenge all you boys with the technical know-how to prove me wrong. Mr. Cavendish, please take note.