Anatomy of a Photo: Injustice

The hair, the shoes, the slicks. That's enough for me.

One of my favorite pass times is to chuck a cycling term into Google’s Image Search, set the filter to Large, and see what turns up. It is incredible how much porn you have to sift through, by the way. I would really think words like “shaved” and “hardman” would be innocent enough, but take it from me – that is not the case.

I have found, however, that through perseverance, determination, and a dash of grit comes reward, and this photo is evidence of that. I don’t know who this strapping young stud is, but he wrote at least one of the chapters in the Book of Awesome. The hair, the cap, the brazen expression, the jersey, the guns, the Chuck Taylors, and riding cross on slicks. And that’s not a fucking compact, either. Well done, my son. It is an injustice beyond comprehension that you did not become a Giant of the Road.

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.

Next The Paradox of Maturity »

Previous « Revenge of the Clones

View Comments

G'phant says:

Jan 19 2011 at 2:01 pm

"It is incredible how much porn you have to sift through, by the way. I would really think words like "shaved" and "hardman" would be innocent enough, but take it from me - that is not the case."

True dat. In the early days of the world wide interweb, an NZ netanatic was demonstrating search engines at a semniar. Being a Kiwi, he chose to do this by entering "all blacks" and absentmindedly clicking on the first site suggested before turning his back on the slowly-loading screen while he addressed his audience. Members of said audience gradually became more and more alarmed / agitated / interested as the giant screen slowly loaded a picture which had nothing to do with rugby (albeit a lot to do with full contact "sport").
G'phant says:

Jan 19 2011 at 2:03 pm

"The hair, the cap, the brazen expression, the jersey, the guns, the Chuck Taylors, and riding cross on slicks."

Not to mention the Pantanti-esque climbing technique.
Buck Rogers says:

Jan 19 2011 at 2:46 pm

Awesome photo! Makes me think that maybe he was an extra for "Breaking Away." Definitely has that "Cutter" look to him.
Brett says:

Jan 19 2011 at 4:31 pm

@Buck Rogers
Dave Stoller's stunt double?

Dude looks kinda familiar though... I guess the V is transcendant.
mightyninja says:

Jan 19 2011 at 5:21 pm

I would really think words like "shaved" and "hardman" would be innocent enough, but take it from me - that is not the case.

Well I haven't searched for "hardman" as that isn't really my cup of tera but "shaved" that's one I may have accidentally typed into YouPorn to find several examples. Innocent wasn't really a descriptive either?
Great photo by the way & love the slicks while doing cross
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Jan 19 2011 at 6:08 pm

A hardy hello to fellow Velominati. It's been too long. My probation officer gave me back internet access, but only if I don't Google such words as: shaved, hardman, lube, chain, position, velcro, stroke, etc. You know. You've all done it. But enough of that.

I have the answer to the mystery cyclocrosser. It is Clark Natwick. He was quite the Junior Badass in the late 70's. He then became a Senior Badass in the 80's with a few National Cyclocross Championships.

The picture was probably taken at the Surf City Race Series in Santa Cruz, California, in around 1976 or so.

Now if I could only ride with this stupid electronic ankle thing.
G'phant says:

Jan 19 2011 at 7:05 pm

@Jeff in PetroMetro
Outstanding sleuthing. When your parole ends you should think about law enforcement. Unless that's what you were doing when you got caught. Anyways, Frank - that man deserves a decal.
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Jan 19 2011 at 7:23 pm

@G'phant
Funny you should mention law enforcement. Dad suggested I contact the CIA and the FBI regarding employment, as both are advertising ON THE RADIO in Texas. If the CIA is asking for applicants from the dearth of geniuses who still listen to terrestrial radio, we're in a big steaming pile of shit.

I can only assume the CIA would scan my hard drive through the IP address from my online application. That would pretty much end the job interview.
Brett says:

Jan 19 2011 at 7:48 pm

@Jeff in PetroMetro
Yes! Clark Natwick!
Brett says:

Jan 19 2011 at 7:57 pm

What a legend...here battling it out with Gary Fisher:

And... just like Sven Nys, he has a race named after him.

@jeff Give that man a bar of soap! I dunno if Pacifica is in or around Santa Cruz or not, but that photo was taken in December, 1977 at the Northern California Championships, Pacifica, California, apparently.