Perusing the Velominati Archives of Cycling Photos Liberated from the Interwebs (VACPLI), I stumbled across this little gem. I’m sure they are lovely people on the inside, but this photo showcases one of the most unflattering examples of spectators we find along the roadside of the Great Races. I’m not sure how you can be at the Queen Stage of the 2009 Tour – on the final climb no less – watching the key break led by three of the finest climbers in the world, and look quite so…constipated.
Here we have a misguided Euro hipster doing his best impression of an American Frat boy douchnozzle. Whomever decided it was cool to perch a baseball cap backwards and tilted like a yarmulke should be given a stern talking to. I can only assume this a strategy to protect the neck from flying debris. Unacceptable. Please review the three-point system immediately. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
The cap on what I’m guessing is a woman with unnecessarily wide shoulders letting out a Bantha call is really no better, but can be blamed on the Tour caravan that passes before the race and distributes this type of paraphernalia to fans whose judgement has been impaired by a combination of sun exposure, boredom, excitement, and copious quantities of alcohol. Nevertheless, those hats should be summarily incinerated, and all photographic evidence destroyed.
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Notice the guy on the left holding the flag matador-style ? Proof that someone already knew the Cheatador was loaded to the eyeballs with Spanish-fly steak, and was hoping to confuse him into charging...
@Jeff in PetroMetro
As Pedale showed us there are plenty of old school tifosi out watching MSR in proper clothing too. Those old Italian dudes know how to dress.
Sorry, this isn't the proper venue, but I just spotted this pic on Inner Ring and I just had another body double inspiration:
Cadel
Ruprecht
http://atnzone.com/nz/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ruprecht.jpg
I beg your collective indulgence...
Couldn't you find one of those photos with a skinny frenchman in a speedo sans his shirt? I saw several of those guys running alongside the peloton as they climbed to the top of the Col in last years coverage.
@Nate
That's because they're Italian. Italians ooze style. It's the French, Germans, Americans, and Merckx knows what other tribes who are responsible for this shameless public display of tastelessness.
Holy Crap, Batman! There's some dude in that photo wearing camo like he's bow-hunting turkeys in Arkansas.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
The guy in cammo is holding out some clenbuterol-enriched salad leaves to Contador..more proof !
You gotta give the velominhottie in the freebie had some credit. Looks like she and her matchy-matchy boyfriend did actually ride up the climb which is more than can be said for most of the folks in attendance. We can only hope that's not her mountainbike leaning against the rock in the background. As for Mr. Backwards-cap, he looks so dumb I think if he tries to clap his hands will miss.
So when does the Velominati campaign to place at least one sharply dressed Follower in all photos of major races for 2011 begin?
I can cover the Ronde and P-R next week...
I hate to burst your bubble, Tex, but I've spent enough time among the Euro-hordes to know that man for man, they're just as fashion challenged as us Yanks. And don't even get me started on the Aussies. Here's how I see it (warning, gross generalization alert!):
Most Americans dress like their five year old kids (baggy shorts, untucked polos, baseball caps for the men, cotton blouses, loose jeans and Ugg boots for women). Awful.
Most Euros dress like their 15 year old kids (tight jeans, ridiculous shirts with unintelligible English slogans, and completely outrageous shoes). See the image below of a pair of Italian matrons strolling in Montepulciano for proof.
Aussies dress like Americans, but with beer stains on the fronts. (You Kiwis are getting a pass on this one)
That said, there is certainly good style to be found in Europe, just as there is in the US and Australia / NZ. Typically among our elders.
Never forget that one of the benefits of being a cyclist is being thin enough to wear bitchin' clothes that make us look even more fabulous. La Vie Velominatus should extend to off the bike as well.
Peace Out.
Nuu Zillnd uniform?
There you go, just for you. Don't mention it