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

Dr C says:

Oct 7 2011 at 3:33 am

How come Phil A always looks so high above his bike - did he have massively long legs and cranks, or a tiny bikeframe or summink?

For an Aussie, he has an amazing amount of style
wiscot says:

Oct 7 2011 at 5:29 am

@frank
See, we're sensible. We know we can't grow mustaches so we don't try. Mr Kwantum clearly doesn't know he can't either . . .
wiscot says:

Oct 7 2011 at 5:31 am

@mouse
It's a very young Michael Rasmussen who couldn't get out of the way when Phil laid down the V and was crushed against the stem like a bug on a windshield.
frank says:

Oct 7 2011 at 6:01 am

@michael

I don't think it's a Valvoline logo though, here's a crop of the full sized image.

I think that, if anything, the chicken proves that it is, in fact, a space-time continuum thing.

Too fucked.
G'rilla says:

Oct 7 2011 at 7:18 am

I hope each sticker pack will soon include a V-chicken so our bars can be properly attired.
Marcus says:

Oct 7 2011 at 8:44 am

@Dr C

For an Aussie, he has an amazing amount of style

I tell you this purely to assist with your cycling edification - Phil was born in London.
Dr C says:

Oct 7 2011 at 8:47 am

@Marcus
that explains a lot

BTW, I'm not wishing to start Round 14 of the antipodean V slaggathon .....
Nate says:

Oct 7 2011 at 9:37 am

@ChrisO
I saw a dude out on a penny farthing this weekend, cruising down a 2% false flat on the opposite side of the road. Incredible sight.

@michael
Hasn't one of our Melbournians ridden with Phil on Beach Road? Clearly we need to hear about this direct from Phil hisself.
Ron says:

Oct 7 2011 at 9:47 am

Marko - Slick Serotta! Love that bike & build up. What tape is on there?

Ah, the DA aero post, not the Campa. I have one of each, very sexy seat pillars fo' sho.
Marko says:

Oct 7 2011 at 11:46 am

@Ron
Thanks, the tape is just good old microtex by our friends at Fizik.