Anatomy of a Photo: Laurent Fignon, 1989 Tour de France

I know the feeling, Laurent. Sometimes I just want to give the cross winds a big, “Fuck You”, too.

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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scaler911 says:

Aug 10 2011 at 9:57 am

@Jeff in PetroMetro

I bet you get the build right just by installing a whole shitload of Campagnolo all over it. And Cinelli stem and cowhorn. And a Selle San Marco saddle. Just a guess, but, damn, what a cool bike it will be!!!

That's what I'm thinking. I also have the original wheel set; Mavic/ Campa hubs, 7 speed straight block. Be fun to show up to our LBC weekly TT on it, and give the Tri-geeks a little schooling.
frank says:

Aug 10 2011 at 10:19 am

@Oli
*ahem* *sheepishly sidles out of the room* Not sure what I was thinking making that claim. I blame it on my sun-baked brain.

Hows about I do penance on Haleakala tomorrow?
Chris says:

Aug 10 2011 at 10:27 am

@Nate

@Jeff in PetroMetro
I think Serotta built most of those Huffys. Here is a nice blog post from the chap who built many of them.

Love the Phinney photo! Worthy of an "Anatomy of a photo" write up.
Nate says:

Aug 10 2011 at 11:18 am

@scaler911
The build is worthy of a Progetto post when it happens, as is the schooling, in the right category.
RedRanger says:

Aug 10 2011 at 11:47 am

@frank
Sounds good to me.
Dr C says:

Aug 10 2011 at 12:29 pm

@frank
was a mighty ridiculous claim....
Souleur says:

Aug 10 2011 at 12:45 pm

@Nate/chris/metroJeff
Yes...those huffy's were built by Serotta...very sweet rides!

I would give a kidney for one w/first generation dura-ace on it & mavic tubular hoops in 7-eleven paint
wiscot says:

Aug 10 2011 at 2:27 pm

@minion
Dear Minion,
Good joke. I seem to recall hearing the same one except you substitute Scotland for New Zealand and England for "the buggers next door." Kinda works too especially as so many Scots settled in NZ . . .
sisyphus969 says:

Aug 10 2011 at 5:06 pm

@michael
So you don't rate Fignon as a rider. Well lets see:
He won the Tour at the age of 22 becoming one of the youngest ever to win it. he won it the next year again.
He won the Giro in 89 - which maybe cost him the tour that year - you know the 8 seconds to GL
He won 9 stages of the Tour overall
He won Milan San Remo in 88 and 89
He won the Fleche in 86
He won the Criterium International in 82 and 90
As much as i like GH i don't think its a valid comparison. The fact that you don't rate LF makes me wonder if you are past your sell by date or maybe you've had too much Roo meat.
Alex says:

Aug 11 2011 at 4:00 am

@Dr C
fair point, that was a ridiculous bridge up, but they had covered his moves each time before, perhaps that last one was the bridge too far or not motivated to chase for 4th?