In Memoriam: Erik de Vlaeminck

ERIK V IS ESCORTED AWAY BY THE TOUGHNESS POLICE. FOR BEING JUST TOO FUCKING FLANDRIAN.

Sad news today that Erik de Vlaeminck, older brother to Flemish Cycling legend Roger de Vlaeminck, passed away today at the age of 70. He was a dominant Cyclocrosser winning a whopping seven World Championships, six of which were back to back from 68-73. He was apparently suffering from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

I don’t know much about him, but the world feels a softer place with one less De Vlaeminck in it. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.

May you rest in peace.

Photo caption borrowed from the now-defunct BRR.

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

Oli says:

Dec 5 2015 at 3:55 am

@Joe Cline

Not trying to take anything away from Frank's kind thoughts, but I saw it headlined on cyclocosm and cyclingnews.com many hours before it was up here.
frank says:

Dec 5 2015 at 9:26 am

@Joe Cline Thanks for the kind sentiment, but to @Oli's point, I think I found out from Velonews, so that's at least three sources that talked about it before we did.

@barry davies

LEGEND.
Ron says:

Dec 5 2015 at 10:07 am

So Barry is so good he can race cross with his eyes closed? That is awesome!
Joe Cline says:

Dec 5 2015 at 4:59 pm

Had not seen it elsewhere, props nonetheless.
brett says:

Dec 7 2015 at 2:22 am

@Oli

@Joe Cline

Not trying to take anything away from Frank’s kind thoughts, but I saw it headlined on cyclocosm and cyclingnews.com many hours before it was up here.

Yeah but you're in New Zealand so your internet would've got it hours ahead of theirs...
Oli says:

Dec 7 2015 at 2:47 am

@brett

wut?
frank says:

Dec 7 2015 at 8:39 am

@Oli

He's using imaginary numbers.
Philoniuss says:

Dec 7 2015 at 9:25 am

@Ron

So Barry is so good he can race cross with his eyes closed? That is awesome!

@frank

@Joe Cline Thanks for the kind sentiment, but to @Oli‘s point, I think I found out from Velonews, so that’s at least three sources that talked about it before we did.

@barry davies

LEGEND.

I think Wiggy stole Barry's beard.
wilburrox says:

Dec 7 2015 at 11:17 am

@frank

Calvin and Hobbes !!! Love 'em! I recall Calvin never had much luck with the bike

and his old man was gonna ride come hell or high water

Cheers
ErikdR says:

Dec 7 2015 at 12:19 pm

@wilburrox

@frank

Calvin and Hobbes !!! Love ’em! I recall Calvin never had much luck with the bike

Cheers

Seconded - by another big C&H fan here. One of the best comic strips - evvur.