This qualifies.
We are just about done with our next book, The Hardmen. At its core is the question: how hard is hard enough when it comes to effort.
None of us really know the answer, but when you can’t stand up after winning a Tour de France stage, even with the help of several adoring fans and staff members, you got pretty close.
Chapeau, monsieur Millar.
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@davidlhill
Ha! Get in line, Mate!
I placed my order for the new VLVV summer kit on December 18, 2015 hoping to use it at Battenkill last spring and it has not arrived yet.
But I still love Frahnk and the V site. I have survived just fine and will continue to do so even without the greatest V kit yet, at least in theory, made.
@Buck Rogers
Yeah you have to go through at least one clear season of the season type you were planning. Hoping last winter's gear will get here for this winter.........
@Buck Rogers
Odd, as I received my bib shorts I ordered in December 2015 around May, I think.
Perhaps the theory is that by the time we get our gear it becomes 'classic', in nature. This could tie in with the rule that says we can't wear current team kit but are allowed to wear kit from defunct teams. Exhibit A below.
I'll order the arm warmers now, then. In time for next winter.
Cheers,
David
@davidlhill
Those are the Classic bibs you have on, right? I have a set of that kit from prior.
I ordered the new VLVV bibs last December but I think that there has been a hang up with the VLVV kit.
Not sure anyone but Frahnk has the VLVV kit (at least I know that I do not have it!)
@davidlhill
Fucking amazing shoes, by the way.
I was looking at those online the other day and was wondering if they would go well with modern kit and your post proves that they do!
@Buck Rogers
I love those shoes (Quoc Phan). That pic was taken on day 1 of this year's TdF, and I knew there would be a fair amount of walking off the bike. Hence I used those ones, and clips, instead of clipless.
Btw - I've met a few guys who bought the black version. They all regret not buying them in tan.
Damn, only seen photos of that Quintini situation. He looks like he's about to die. And his feet look far too big for his body. Talk about shaped like a frog, he almost looks chubby with his teeny legs and huge abdomen/lungs.
@Ron
Did he become Italian since I last looked?
I listened to Graeme Obree talk to a group of us on Tuesday. 2 things really stuck out that illustrate his mindset when training or going for a main event.
When he failed to get the outright world hour record that first time he was not content with the sea level record so he went again. His mindset was that we was willing to die to give his all. He reckoned that in order to go as hard as you can you must be willing to blow the engine. He says he was never the best rider, he was just willing to dig deeper than the other guy.
When training and welded to his turbo set up he said he would go as hard as he could for 18 minutes. The difference and again being willing to blow the engine, was being able to give absolutely everything humanely possible in that last 2 minutes to 20. It wasn't the hard 18 minutes that made the difference it was the final 2 beyond that.
A Legend of a Hardman, I hope he's in your next book @frank. If not, he should be.
Also for consideration.....Sir Chris Hoy used to do efforts so hard on his trainer...he'd collapse on a mat next to it right after the effort is over. Think about that next time you are suffering on a trainer....