Anatomy of a Photo: Badgers Are As Badgers Do
I’m not particularly fond of this photo, but it certainly tells you a thing or two about Le Blaireau. A man more comfortable speaking with his appendages than with words, he was patron of the last peloton that truly represented the working class sport that cycling originally was; one where riders escaped a tough life of manual labor and meager means by pursuing life on the bicycle (one of tough labor and meager means). The hardest man of a generation of hard men, the Badger was as cuddly as a fistful of rusty nails.
By my last count, there are more images on The Googles – both old and new – of Hinault assaulting people than there are of him riding a bike. A fiercely proud man, he once threw a young Phil Anderson’s bidon to the roadside after Phil deigned to offer it to him in a sporting gesture. In his first grand tour of his career, he lead a rider’s protest because they felt mistreated. A few years later, at the 1984 Paris-Nice, he beat up a guy (pictured) for leading a protest by shipyard workers who felt mistreated. He’s been tackling people ever since.
He was also, as most champions are, fiercely competitive. As team leader, he forced LeMan to wait for him in 1985 when he faltered and his young American teammate was up the road in the winning break, threatening to take the race lead. In return, he promised to work for Greg the following year. Then, in the 1986 Tour, when it suddenly appeared he might be strong enough to win for a record sixth time, he promised to work for LeMond so long as he beat him first. Not exactly a man of his word, then.
So here’s to Bernard Hinault, a fucking asshole. But an awesome asshole. And, while not pretty, lets remember that assholes perform a vital function.
Epic.
Remember V. D’Onofrio’s pet badger in The Salton Sea flick? It’s name: Captain Stubing. :)
Now, I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that punch, but I think a cyclist that learned to kick properly could do a whole lot more damage than one that just punches.
Hey, look who’s in the middle of that picture… it’s Uncle Phil!
great one Frank.
whereas many think of most cyclists as pussies, one look at this foto reconciles that for many. and whereas I wouldn’t necessarily advise many to do this, for the right asshole, it may just work out. It particularly did for me this past year, a young punkass took a swerve at me in his car head-on, i told him he was number one as he passed, and he turned around….yeah..great, i knew what was coming a quartermile away, as we are on a lonely country road in the middle of nowhere. I stopped and tossed my girl in the ditch pissed, he stopped, he’s cussing, i leaned in the window and he was drunk…and yep-game on, we end up in the ditch duking it out. The best part is, at the end, we shook hands, he apologized, and i rode off 50k home.
not advised by any measure, and thats the only time I have done it, but some dumb assholes like me need a good scrap once in a while and at this pace I’ll be ready for another when i am 80, otherwise if you nice like most its best to just ride on and let by-gones be by-gones.
The badger never learned that
Gives new meaning to his “and so the first pedal has been turned in anger” quote. God I love that guy’s commentary…
I put this photo up on my faceplant account around 10 days ago to illustrate the point that not all cyclists are spaghetti-armed whimpets! One person thought the he was decking an old lady at first, which I have to admit, when I first saw this photo I also thought it was a woman that he was smacking-down!
btw, I LOVE this photo! Totally embodies The Badger: Intense, fierce, an asshole and no one to fuck with!
Hard for me to consider B.H. an a-hole. I think he just called what’s what: cycling = alpha-male brawl on two wheels. Throw punches, keep the Yankee wanker kid under thumb, cut cruel deals, cage fight the whole sordid mess out to it’s ugly fullest. It would be much easier for me to take today if the post-hardman generation had done likewise. If it’s ugly, let it be so.
Everyone’s too chicken these days… and out of that fear cop a pretentious douche-y feel.
His best look was after the crash in 85. Then he looked like a beaten prize fighter.
“As long as I have two arms and two legs, it will be difficult for the rest of them.” – B. Hinault.
Arrogant poetry.
The Force has a “Dark side”, which feeds off emotions such as anger, jealousy, fear, and hate…
The best part of the picture is the guy on the right running away. That’s a shipyard worker? Instead of punching them out, Bernie should have screened On The Waterfront for those guys.
On why doesn’t anyone do a decent repro of that classic La Vie Claire jersey?
Isn’t that Larry from Three’s Company?
is this on video any where?
@mcsqueak
Think you are thinking of a different Phil…
@Cinghiale
I think Prendas has them available now and again.
That’s one of my all time favorite cycling photos. I especially like that Klinger is officiating.
@Marcus
Perhaps I am. Whenever anyone says Phil I automatically think of Phil Liggett.
I have that jersey. If photos are needed, let me know. It doesn’t fit me (sigh) anymore…
The 1978 Tour where he led the protest into Valence d’Agen wasn’t actually his first Grand Tour – to prepare for his tilt at le Tour he had already ridden and won that year’s Vuelta, held in those days in April.
@All
When I see this pic, I’m reminded of the worldview expressed in one of the greatest cinematic experiences of the last decade… I’m speaking, of course, of Team America: World Police.
There’s three kinds of people in the world; Pussies, Dicks and Assholes. Pussies don’t like Dicks, because Pussies get fucked by Dicks. But Dicks also fuck Assholes.
By this definition, The Badger is not an Asshole, but a Dick. A Big, Fucking Dick.
Enjoy.
@redranger
There is indeed video of the punch. The photo captures the moment so much better though.
The same no talent ass-clown that is about to get pounded has a hold on both Phil and the Badger. Sorry but you touch the bike or the rider, game on.
@Souleur
And this is exactly what wouldn’t happen in Texas. When you confront an asshole on a country road, he doesn’t get out of the car. He either runs over you (been there–saw the underside of a cattle trailer and spent 4 months recovering), or he takes out a gun and shoots you. Then, adding insult to injury, the sheriff who investigates your death blames you because, well, you were riding a bike on a road.
Available here
Here is a different side of Hinault–one of compassion for a loyal teammate. Sorry for the quality. It is a scan from “Breakaway” by Samuel Abt. The photo is by Presse-Sports. Jourdan has been injured in a crash and is about to drop out of the 1984 TdF.
There is no Peace there is only Passion
Through Passion I gain Strength
Through Strength I gain Power
Through Power I gain Victory
Through Victory I break the chains that bind me.
The Sith Code.
Sounds like we should all strive to be Sith….Cycling Sith. Maybe this could be adapted to be part of the Velominati prayer that all should recite prior to laying down the V.
Nice one frank.
It is a brilliant photo, capturing a moment in an (cycling) era that has long since passed. The emotions and thoughts that are on display from just about everyone, caught in an instant are what makes the photo speak to the viewer.
The Badger and Klinger both look like they may have had the blow dryer working overtime that morning don’t they?
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I’ve seen that picture before… I just figured Hinault was apologizing for punching him… “Sorry, mon ami, next time hold your line…”
What an asshole indeed!
One thing I love about this photo is that is shows how the hardmen of old actually knew how to throw a goddamn punch. Look at the lads now, reduced to using a front wheel. That, my friends, is a black eye in the works. Nice form, tons of anger.
Great write-up, Frank!
@sgt
“Ohhhh, sheeeet, Bernard!!!!!!!! Zat reeeely heert!”
“Shut eet, Christian. Rool Cinq. Tu connais Les Rools. I yam sorree, mais you braught thees on yourself.”
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I like the Franglish.
No offense to the French intended. I like the French. I have a French bike. I have French shoes (Yellow Princesses, no less). I like French wine (but I can’t afford it, what with the French bike and all).
@Jeff in PetroMetro
“Zoot Alors, mon petit blaireau, your left ‘ook eez almost az deadlee az your over’and right! Sacrebleu!”
Hey, this is fun!
PS I’m working on my Franglish for a trip later this year, how’m I doing?
@sgt
C’est magnifique! All of Paris will love you. Really. You should try it at the front desk of your hotel. I bet you get a beeg smile and a free upgrade. Bon chance!
@Xponti
Ah! No, not for me.
For me being a cyclist is not all about fighting and winning.
I don’t like who want to annihilate his rivals.
For me training and racing it’s about learning about your mental, spiritual and physical self and to train all these 3 aspects to be in harmony.
@Pedale.Forchetta
+1. Rule #5 is a personal measure. While looking pro might be about fitting in, it is also very much an individual marker.
@Xponti, @Pedale.Forchetta
@Xponti, I love where you’re going with the Star Wars thing, but I think the perfect balance is more akin to the Luke Skywalker situation, where you are generally working to be one with The V and let it flow through you – you draw your strength from it and are at peace with the suffering. But the Old Republic Jedi were too passive; you need a little bit of anger every now and again to help motivate you. Luke had just enough anger in him to win a fight every now and again, but generally stayed pretty calm. (@packfiller, does that answer your question as to whether or not I’m a geek?)
For the most part, what interests me in a champion is exactly what @Pedale.Forchetta is saying about mental, spiritual and physical self (and limitations) and who seem to compete more from internal challenge than external. That’s the difference between someone like, say, Fabian and Armstrong. Both are fiercely competitive, but when it comes down to it, Armstrong is motivated to be the best by making others lose, whereas a rider like Faboo is motivated to be the best by a desire to push himself and be better and stronger than before. It’s a different mentality altogether. I’m actually working on an article to this effect; it’s a fascinating subject to me.
@Jeff in PetroMetro, @sgt
You guys need help. Maybe you should start a new venture that turns web pages into Franglish. Jeff, you could really put your writing skilz to use that way.
We have to figure out who to incorporate “Rool Cinq. Tu connais Les Rools.” into this place more often. Absolutely top drawer.
Why did you put a sheet of paper over the book? Didn’t want to reveal your plans to take over the world that you jotted into the margins?
@mrlavalava
Thanks for the video, I’d never seen it. Very cool to see it in action, although, as has been pointed out, the dynamic is much better in the photo than in the video. Although Bernie really goes for that punch, eh? By the looks of it, that was not his first punch.
good point Jeffmetro, after what happened to me..i thought about that. Follows my lifes statement that tis better to be lucky, than good.
Boy, otherwise, on a deeper philosophic note, this just keeps sliding on a slippery slope.
peace…
passion…
strength…
power…
victory….
I suppose this exemplifies for me the beauty of Rule V. I simply accept it in its supremacy of all virtues. When applied correctly, it amplifies all. In all the above, whether its hierachial or not, whether its lateral in comparison or not, in application of Rule V, all these good virtues are made more manifest and for me more acceptable, more attainable.
@sgt
LOVE.THAT.MOVIE. We had to pause it and let ourselves recover after he gets out of the chopper “in disguise” with a towel wrapped around his head like a woman just out of the shower. The way it had built to that through the “uncanny valmorphanization” of him was just too much.
Those guys are geniuses.
@Souleur
I commend you on your nerve and willingness to fight someone while dressed in spandex and wearing cleats, but I would be terrified of getting murdered. Even though Seattle is a pretty passive place, all you need is one nut with a gun. And, there’s not enough Rule #5 in the world to cure a gunshot wound to the cranium. But obviously I’m over-thinking this.
Great story!
@frank
(Ahem.) Why, whatever are you talking about, Frank? I’ve no plans to take over the world. What gave you that impression?
(Shit. Commander Zog. Come in, Commander Zog! Returning to home planet. Plans discovered…by some fucking Dutchman.)
@Jeff in PetroMetro
So true re: the cops response. I suspect that would be the response from 90% of the law enforcement in the US. Still being on the right side of forty my hormones can get the better of me, I usually respond as Souleur did with the appropriate salute.
@pakrat
When I was in college and bulletproof, I used to salute a lot as well. Then, one day in Pflugerville, TX, I lived out a nightmare with a dump truck. I didn’t even give this guy a salute. I was just riding along a narrow farm-to-market road with no one else around but me and the dump truck coming up from behind. First he nudged me into the bar ditch (which I think I handled very Paris-Roubaix like). Then he stopped and turned the truck around. I got back on the road, turned around, and rode the fastest pursuit of my life back to a convenience store I’d just passed about a kilometer back. Thank Merckx it takes a while to get a dump truck up to speed. I stayed on my bike at the front of the store which was at the rear of a deep parking lot. I didn’t unclip. I thought I had a better shot at staying alive if I stayed on my bike, as long as the driver didn’t get out of the dump truck. He didn’t. Instead, he turned his truck around in the parking lot and went back to wherever he was going. Since then, I don’t yell, I don’t salute, and I am super friendly. And I pretty much quit riding a bike for about 17 years because of that one day.
Every sport needs it’s enforcers. The fact that he continues the role as an honored dignitary is even better. The guy in Badger’s clutches probably violated Rule V one time too many (or just one time). I am sure somebody has already pointed out an adolescent Bob Roll in the background right, however, note Frankie Carbone from Goodfellas mid-ground right. Supposedly found hanging in a meat truck some 10 years earlier.
I cannot help but surmise that this photo implicates both Hinault and Bobke in the Lufthansa heist.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Man. Hearing stories like that make me feel almost spoiled to live in Portland. I’ve had a few assholes buzz me, and had a lady that wasn’t paying attention run into my rear wheel, but that’s it. I have more problems with all the assholes on bikes that can’t ride predictably than I do with vehicles.
But as a matter of course I really don’t flip people off or do anything like that, it’s not worth it to feel better for a split second and then have to worry about some asshole in a 3,000 lb car trying to run me down. I’ll yell to grab attention if some nitwit is edging into an intersection and not paying attention or something. But for the most part things here in Portland are pretty mellow.
@mcsqueak
I hear Italy is a great place to live and ride a bike. Very bike friendly. If any Velominati want to put me up in a nice villa, say, somewhere around Lake Como, like, for the rest of my life, and pick up the tab, I could be persuaded.
@ – a whole lot of ya! Tons of great wisdom here. No matter how badly you want to give the salute or get it on with someone in an automobile it is ALWAYS better to let it go. Sure, give a yell to let someone know, but don’t bother trying to fight a losing battle.
@ Frank – I look forward to this article. The idea of self-motivation vs. external humiliation as a driving force in one’s life, whether in cycling or beyond is indeed worthy of some analysis and thought. Damn, this idea of self-improvement might be exactly why I have fallen in love with cycling. I played the same sport every day from the age of 8-22. By the end I felt deceived and ruined, mainly due to a bad collegiate coach. I haven’t touched the sport since I left it.
In the meantime I’ve become a serious Velominatus. I rarely pin a number on but I ride daily and try to pursue The V. I ride hard and my passion is to see how far I can go and how fast. That is it. Cycling is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I consider when I hit the lights. (sure, some other things are important, but cycling is my passion).
Awesomeness. I ride to pursue my own personal V.
@ Pedale – woah, I’m going to read that over a few more times. Not only can you pull water out of the air, but you just summed up what has gone through my head the past eight years as I turned the cranks. Why am I doing this?
For me training and racing it’s about learning about your mental, spiritual and physical self and to train all these 3 aspects to be in harmony.
A Merckx to that!
@ Jeff, man I think we all felt bullet proof in college. Phew, a bunch of things I did in my younger days when out cycling and dealing with aggressive drivers are things I would definitely not do these days. It is very, very satisfying to fuck with a stupid driver but yes, pretty much not worth it at this stage for me. If it was just a playground fight like in school, sure, but so many people come unhinged when you challenge their m
manhood with a solo salute.
Glad many of us have moved on. Amongst many things it seems as if cycling on roads with autos teaches all of us to be cool man, be cool.
@Marcus
Not just the jersey, but caps, a wool beanie and the whole kit. This might cost me more than I bargained for! Thanks, I think.