Anatomy of a Photo: Just Go Faster

Phil Anderson does the Cipolini "Where are you guys?"

This photo of Phil Anderson’s genuine surprise at the gap between himself and the guy who won at losing reminds me of a story my dad tells of a crewmate from his boat at Laga. My dad was the stroke in a boatful of guys who went on to the compete in several World Championships and the Olympics, some of whom actually won medals there.

Two of the guys even became World Champion in the double one year, winning the race by a few boat lengths. During his post-race interview, one of the two was asked what the secret was to their dominating win. In all seriousness, he responded as follows:

For an important race like this, I’m a little surprised the other guys didn’t pull on the oars harder.

I loves me a good, Stead Up with More Speed Paradox.

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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View Comments

RedRanger says:

Oct 6 2011 at 1:40 pm

@frank

@frank, @RedRanger
Right. Like RR said.

Huh?
wiscot says:

Oct 6 2011 at 1:51 pm

@frank
Indeed, Danny Clark was so fast he could actually lap the field and sling himself into the race to give himself a rest. The Hedron collider had nothing on him . . .
wiscot says:

Oct 6 2011 at 1:53 pm

@Nate
Really. I mean you just can't see this guy laying down the V can you?
frank says:

Oct 6 2011 at 1:55 pm

@RedRanger
Your like to ebay had hairnets. I hadn't seen you link yet when I responded.

@Nate

@frank , @wiscot
How not to grow stach:

Exactly. My mustache, were I to grow one, would be even worse. It's very easy to just look greasy with a mustache. Or like you have a dirty lip.
RedRanger says:

Oct 6 2011 at 7:58 pm

ARE WE BACK?
frank says:

Oct 6 2011 at 8:11 pm

@RedRanger

ARE WE BACK?

WE'RE BACK!! WHO-HOO!!
RedRanger says:

Oct 6 2011 at 8:16 pm

@frank

@RedRanger

ARE WE BACK?

WE'RE BACK!! WHO-HOO!!

+1
RedRanger says:

Oct 6 2011 at 8:18 pm

your awesome
Mikael Liddy says:

Oct 6 2011 at 8:46 pm

@frank

@RedRanger

ARE WE BACK?

WE'RE BACK!! WHO-HOO!!

Don't you dare do that to me again, I very nearly had to do work & on a Friday and everything!
Nate says:

Oct 6 2011 at 9:12 pm

@wiscot
Yes, unless he is trying to deceive other racers about his V-ness.

@frank

Exactly. My mustache, were I to grow one, would be even worse. It's very easy to just look greasy with a mustache. Or like you have a dirty lip.

Me too. My criticism is probably motivated by unconscious jealousy.