Anatomy of a Photo: The Eyes of March
Some riders lose before they even arrive at the start line, questioning their form or their health, or allowing themselves to be demoralized by the weather or the distance of the day’s racing.
Other riders win the race just by showing up. Jan won the moment he threw his woolly jumper over his flowery, collared shirt, and casually perched his cap atop his coif of blond, curly locks.
His eyes tell you everything you need to know.
He at least looks like a somewhat likable killer.
Maybe he beat up Greg Brady and took his shirt?
Holy fuck talk about the polar opposite of the 1000 Yard Stare.
“Some riders lose before they even arrive at the start line, questioning their form (…)”
You mean like Merckx was known to do, especially in his first years? Yeah….
@LeBelge
Except Merckx was just softening up his prey with some reverse psychology.
Well I can certainly find a way to induce this idea of showing inflection through the eyes. Isn’t this the same effect used by Prince?
Um, can we get Jan to level this look at Jose for his knicker-length bib shorts? (and warmer gap!)
@Ron
I’m thinking I need to get a pair of all-black shoes. A la Contador and Sags. Black, it’s the new black.
@wiscot
Shouldn’t they at least swap shoes, black shoes – black socks , white shoes – white socks .
I know socks can be any damn colour you like if they match your kit, and old school is plain black shoe & white sock but for those supplied with shoes this seems the least you could expect.
However, implementing this plan at home means no. of shoes matching no. of kits.
To put the train back on the tracks, cycling was a working class tough sport, not the effete collegiate crowd I came up with in early 80’s east coast US. One summer I worked and trained in London for a couple of months. I could only race Tuesday/Thursday Eastway Marshes and Crystal Palace evening training crits as open racing was impossible for me to get into. It was a huge eye opener, those kids were tough and if you did not mix it up with them you got no respect. When I got home the racing seemed softer and easier.
Doesn’t Lenferink mean something like firestarter or pyromaniac?
JeeeeZHUS!!! Those eyes!!! Dude looks like a total psychokiller (Qu’est ce que c’est?)!
I think I found a picture of him in the off season.
Our sadly departed friend @BIGRINGRIDING has a perfect example of that opening paragraph.
I WON’T INSIST ANY MORE ON THIS POINT, BUT HERE, AGAIN, IT COMES DOWN TO THE SHOES. WHAT A NAMBY PAMBY CHOICE BY THE DUTCHMAN.
EVEN MY DAD WOULDN’T WEAR THOSE.
JOOP, YOU’VE CEDED THE VICTORY BEFORE GETTING ON THE FUCKING BIKE, AND YOU BOTH KNOWS IT.
@Mikael Liddy
BRR has been inactive for a year or more now, haven’t they? Does anyone know why? I REALLY miss that site. They were awesome.
@Buck Rogers
BRB comes and goes periodically. Agreed they were always good for at least a laugh and often motivation.
@Owen
BRR. Thanks, autocorrect.
@Owen
Yes, loved BRR. A buddy turned me on to it one day – spent the entire afternoon going through all of the posts. I wish it would be revived. Great vintage pics and great smart alec comments……what’s not to like about that?
@Buck Rogers
Can’t resist.
@Rob
One day you’re going to have to tell us more about those days racing in London.
@Mikael Liddy
Yes. This, this, this, and this.
@frank
Glad someone finally bit! Fucking David Byrne … in another life, I will be him.
Buck – do you know he’s written a cycling-related/based book?
Also, found myself in Melbourne in the early 2000s. Felt like seeing a show and just my luck, there were two: David Byrne or Ryan Adams. I went for Mr. Byrne and stick by my choice. Awesome show in some very cool old theatre in downtown Melbourne, were maybe 200 people there.
Also, and not to get soppy or lewd…first full night I even spent in the company of a gal friend…the 2-disc Talking Heads highlights set was played on loop. To this day, I can’t hear it and not recall those simple joys of youth!
@frank
I think my best finish was 6th at Eastway and never did zip up at the Palace. It was just as competitive as a big cat 1-3 race in Boston and it was just club racing!
@Ron
This must be the place (naive melody) is the greatest song ever recorded. End of story.
@Mikael Liddy
Shoes are problem yes — but —-hell the “hand-shake” looks pretty dam suspect in and of itself!!!!!
I mean Im just sayin … (they say that a lot here in the south….)
And for the hair well——- this looks like Bobby Brady gets his ass kicked by Elvis —
@Ron
Oh, I have a few songs/albums that elicit those types of memories as well. Just lovely stuff.
As for David Bryne, I had no idea that he had written a cycling related book. But, on retrospect, it doesn’t surprise me. When watching Frank’s posted video I was seriously envious of Bryne’s physique. That Dude was LEAN!!!
@frank
Figured you’d appreciate that example more than the one that sprung to mind first. Andy’s “scary face” psych up on the start ramp of the 2011 TdF, also known as the moment Australia realised that as long as he stayed upright, Cadel had won the tour.
@Duntov
Not to mention that one of them has brought a road bike to a track race. Or vice versa.
@Mikael Liddy
I’m busily trying to get “bellend” back into the vernacular. Him right there in yellow… Fucking YELLOW… He’s a bellend!
@gilly
http://chaz-gelf.tumblr.com/post/130919912396/inremote-blossomsfromalithiumflower for some defintitions
Haha…shitpouch! Literally a useless sack of shit, pure genius. Best abusive yet affectionate cuss I ever heard was for a chubby lazy mate of mine. His nickname was Throm, short for thrombosis because he was a slow moving clot.
@gilly
How about Bungalow – not a lot upstairs?
@Teocalli
Yep, I remember Bungalow Bill Wiggins who used to go out with Joan Collins.