Anatomy of a Photo: Drifting Stones
I would have put this under the new “Belgian Affirmations” category, but was overcome with fear that King Kelly would hunt me down and strangle me with his death stare for the crime of suggesting he wants to be anything other than Irish.
It is said that some people ride the cobbles with greater ease than the rest. It isn’t necessarily a skill that is learned; on the contrary, some simply ride with a lighter touch than others resulting in them going over the stones a few kilometers per hour faster. These are the riders who excel in the rain-addled editions of the Cobbled Classics. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, I have no choice but to assume I have this skill.
King Kelly, on the other hand, got so bored riding shit-slicked pavé that he decided to start doing tricks and stunts on his way to his second victory in Paris-Roubaix. A moment after this shot was taken, he popped a one-handed Lone Ranger, causing Urs Freuler’s mustache to grow three sizes in amazement before temporarily falling off, ultimately leading to the loss of his ch’i and the race.
Unapologetic Cobblebone continues as I find myself thinking about little else other than Keepers Tour 2012: Cobbled Classics.
Great photo frank.
Kelly just looks like he is pissed off that there ain’t cobblestones.
Urs is wearing a a sensational piece of kit with the stripes. Forgive my ignorance but… which team? Reminds me of a 1920’s one-piece swimsuit, i.e. I want one
@il ciclista medio
Atala.
@il ciclista medio
I knew I could rely on you Oli, cheers
No worries! Here’s a colour shot of The Stache.
@Oli
I love how subtle WC bands in that picture are it just says yeah I was a WC but theres no need to brag about it. All the impecably groomed tash, in comparision to the one in the background just says class.
@Oli
Urs is looking puzzled because there is another ‘stache in the peloton and someone might think it is he – and that is upsetting as the other guy is a schlub. Urs was never a schlub. No sir.
Damn, that Atala jersey is so fine.
@jimmy
Luckily I avoided the surgery and hardware because I didn’t displace. First time in 25 years my Ortho said he’s seen a fracture like mine not require surgery. How long was your recovery with that hardware?
@G’phant
@Souleur
@frank
@LA Dave
thank you for your best wishes! I just want to ride again! So if you don’t mind, I’ll be living vicariously through you all for the next 2 months or so!
@MrBigCog
Don’t have to be a radiologist to read that film! I did almost exactly the same thing at roughly the same age (except mine was on the left). Low speed fall when I hit one of those rubberized fog lines in the rain. I tell you this, ’cause I know how bad it sucks. For my PT they had me riding a stationary bike at their clinic @$75 co-pay a visit. Needless to say, there was only one trip there. Heal well sir!
Oh my god! That mustache! That jersey! That cap! That Casually Deliberate pose! What a photo. I now must get back to work so I can cycle this afternoon!
I think I need to go on that trip… sounds to good to be true.
@Oli
Yes, FUCKING awesome photo! Reminds me of the Tombstone (movie) line spoken by Billy Zane when describing Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russel):
‘My dear, you’ve set your gaze upon the quintessential frontier type. Note the lean silhouette… eyes closed by the sun, though sharp as a hawk. He’s got the look of both predator and prey.’
Happy Hunting, indeed.
@Oli
Although a little high on the brow, check out that masterful three-point system application of the cap. It’s guys like that who inspired the system. Perfection.
@wiscot
He’s staring at this guy, who’s name escapes me at the moment.
@Ron
Yes, also perhaps the most elegant saddle ever made, the Selle San Marco Rolls.
@frank
funny. lech piasecki, i think. i have rolls too. also, turbo special and regal. weird. non of the gels versions work for me.
@MrBigCog
I was weelchair bound for 3 mo as there was an elbow break and shoulder damage not allowing crutches. Other factors and issues put the recovery to all activities with only minor pain at 3 1/2 years. this was on the return from rehabing a massive pelvic break(s) including much tendon and muscle tearing that took 18 mo. Between the two rehab aproaches 5 yrs. 4 weeks off bike is just a vacation. But I feel for anyone with breaks that affect joints.
@Ron
Ron, your evil siren song is getting to me. Must have that n+1… =)
@Oli
Yusss! Mwahahahahaaaa! That rules.
@frank
This movie inspired me to ride. Still Love it!
@frank
frank the rider whose name escapes you is polands lech piaseki, not sure about the spelling though.this is him in the 1987 tour de france prolouge.he rode for del tongo, and almost won that day, had the fastest time for a long time,jelle nijdam won that day, stephen roche was third, and went on to win overall, a great race. Hope that was helpful frank.
You surely wouldn’t mistake this for the start of a road race with uptight, number-crunching roadies with power tap meters and garmins…
@frank
That is the exact saddle on my ’92 Merckx. Man, I had forgotten how wonderful those saddles were. Thinkning about getting the “new” Rolls that San Marco are making for the newer Merckx in the stable.
@chubster
Yup, Lech Piasecki. Very good TT man in the 80s. Here’s what Wikipedia has on him:
Lech Piasecki (born 13 November 1961) is a Polish former racing cyclist. Born in Poznań, he became the first Polish cyclist to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, in 1987.[1]
After Piasecki became Amateur world champion in 1985, the Colnago team wanted to sign him. The Polish cycling organisation allowed that in exchange for bicycles.[2] His first victory as a professional cyclist was in a time trial in the 1986 Giro d’Italia, where he surprisingly beat many favourites.[3] In 1987 he won the first stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico. It was a time trial in which he started early, and the wind changed direction after Piasecki finished, so the main favourites who started later had a disadvantage.[4] In the 1987 Tour de France, Piasecki became second in the prologue, and took the yellow jersey in the team time trial. After he lost the lead, he had to abandon in the seventh stage due to dhiarrhea.[5] On August 24, 1998 he became World Track Champion in individual pursuit.
I love the quid pro quo of the Polish federation saying ‘we’ll let him go if you give us some bikes.” At least they had the good taste to ask for Colnagos. What Wikipedia fails to mention is that his mustache was inferior to that of the mighty Urs.
@frank
To borrow from Spinal Tap, Urs is an 11 on the scale of cool.
@Ron
Ron, were you really at this event? Please tell me you sourced this eyesore off the interwebs.
@wiscot
Nice one.I’d also add that he was not only the first but also the only Polish cyclist to wear a yellow jersey.I remember Jaskula in the 90’s and the fact that he won the stage and was 3rd overall but I don’t think he ever wore yellow,did he?
Commenting on this pic in order to bump it … and to point out that the man behind King Kelly might be Urs Freuler … but might equally be Bill the Butcher, out of Gangs of New York.