Anatomy of a Photo: The Eyes of March

The Killer, Jan Lenferink, has arrived.

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.

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.

Next Guest Article: Workstands and Toolkits »

Previous « Half Man, Half Couch

View Comments

Ron says:

Feb 18 2016 at 10:07 am

He at least looks like a somewhat likable killer.

Maybe he beat up Greg Brady and took his shirt?
Matt says:

Feb 18 2016 at 10:07 am

Holy fuck talk about the polar opposite of the 1000 Yard Stare.
LeBelge says:

Feb 18 2016 at 10:27 am

"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....
frank says:

Feb 18 2016 at 11:05 am

@LeBelge

“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….

Except Merckx was just softening up his prey with some reverse psychology.
emerson says:

Feb 18 2016 at 11:30 am

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?
Ron says:

Feb 18 2016 at 12:28 pm

Um, can we get Jan to level this look at Jose for his knicker-length bib shorts? (and warmer gap!)
wiscot says:

Feb 18 2016 at 1:51 pm

@Ron

Um, can we get Jan to level this look at Jose for his knicker-length bib shorts? (and warmer gap!)

I'm thinking I need to get a pair of all-black shoes. A la Contador and Sags. Black, it's the new black.
markpa says:

Feb 18 2016 at 3:24 pm

@wiscot

@Ron

Um, can we get Jan to level this look at Jose for his knicker-length bib shorts? (and warmer gap!)

I’m thinking I need to get a pair of all-black shoes. A la Contador and Sags. Black, it’s the new black.

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.
Rob says:

Feb 18 2016 at 3:56 pm

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?
Buck Rogers says:

Feb 18 2016 at 5:29 pm

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.