Cobbles, Bergs, Beer, and Legends. Putting the V Back in Vlaanderen.
It has been a busy couple of weeks in the Velominati Boardroom as we’ve been scrambling to finalize a few partnerships and get all the products for the Keepers Tour customers designed and produced. Suffice to say, fists and beers were slammed in tandem as we feverishly worked out the final designs.
Producing V-Pints, V-Shirts, and V-Musettes seems a simple enough task; and we also needed a flag and banner to fly at the roadside of the various races we are due to watch from the roadside, including de Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. There was also a the small matter of getting our hands on musette bags, which aren’t commonly found on the market, as far as we could tell. Fair heart, never worry; Gianni and his VMH took matters into their own hands and made them up from scratch. If their other business ventures fail, musette-sewing may be a good fallback, they Look Fantastic.
The most significant effort due was for the Keepers Tour Cobbled Classics 2012 design; enter our graphic-design mastermind, KRX-10. We tossed a few emails across the net and settled quickly on the notion of using a variation of the Lion of Flanders. “Now we need a public-domain vector graphic. Race you to it”, was the last word from KRX10 on the matter before the design was finalized. Then it was on to deciding on a tag line, with the result being perhaps the best example of what happens when the Keepers argue long enough on such matters.
With that, we proudly present the official artwork for Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012:
The last two weeks I’ve felt like a kid waiting for Christmas as orders were placed and we entered into the torturous period of time while we waited to lay our hands on the final products and see the fruits of our labor. And I have to say, this round may have produced our finest products yet; the V-Lion and tagline turned out magnificently, as did all the other items. The flag and banner are actually breathtaking – waving in the wind. We hope you like it as much as we do.
A few items of note: Attendees of Keepers Tour will receive a musette packed with their V-Shirt and V-Pint along with a few lovies from our sponsors, and will also have the honor of commenting for the next year with the V-Lion badge. Also of note is the matter that these products are not available for sale and will never be; the only way to get Keepers Tour products is to attend a Keepers Tour, so bear that in mind next time around. Finally, if you’re looking for a real photo of the V-Pint, you’ll have to wait until we arrive in Belgium, as they were shipped ahead while I was away on business and as such they have not yet been seen by anyone, even me.
Please also get yourself acquainted with our Twitter and Tumblr sites if you’ve not done so already – we’ll be reserving the site for major updates, and will be posting minor updates in those to locations throughout our trip, with Twitter being used for small updates, and Tumblr for the ones that are too much for a tweet and too little for the V.
VLVV.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Keepers Tour CC2012/”/]
Flabbergasting!
Astounding!
Fucking outstanding!!! So jealous. Have a blast mates.
VVOVV! I need to keep buying the lottery tickets. Looks fantastic and I hope you’ll be able to let us know where you guys are on the parcours so we can look out for the banner.
Am I the only one that pictured Fronk hitting a curb as he rode with the banner/flag while taking a picture of it?
Nice work!
In a word: Vantastic!
Excellent stuff. And just as well availability is limited to those who attend – that little flag is just the sort of thing recumbent riders would love.
Have a blast, fellas (and fellesses?). Represent. VLVV.
Amazing! The graphic is perfect. Any chance we could get a non keepers tour version of that shirt for rest of us to buy in the gear section? I’d buy one of those in a heart beat.
I’ll have my eyes peeled for the flag on both races. Can’t wait to see it there!
Well past Saint Patricks, but I just keep getting greener when I think about your pilgrimage. Damn.
AVVesomeness @frank and the rest of the keepers!
We now need a subtle twitter campaign at who ever are going to be commenting on the races so they mention the flag when it comes into shot.
If you were looking for a cycling tat, and you attended the tour, that V-Lion would be the one.
hmm my post disintergrated on submission. Anyways I was expresing my envy and how I was perusing the cost of flights this am from LAX to LHR or Fraaaaaance.
Keeper dudes, can you provide us poor vicarious slobs with a. a keepers tour start list..I’m just curious as to who and how many are all attending and b. names to accompany pictures where possible please. I loved seeing cogal pics, hated haing to guess whos who. Cheers ya bastards!
@paolo
Why not go the whole hog and have a Keepers Tour VSP to see who is claimed by the cobbles.
Oh my Merckx… I’m beside myself with how awesome this is.
Trip pics, video, FB, youtoob, twitter, keep it all coming.
Wow! Awesome stuff! You guys are going to have a great time. Hope to catch at least a few days of the ‘Giro trip’ next year.
@Chris
I was thinking of suggesting something similar but didn’t want to get accused of bringing bad luck. Maybe a quiet side pool on the first to get kicked out of a Belgium Pub.
Nice!! add some of that gear to the store and you will be that much closer to retirement with the cash that will be thrown your way…….
The banner is strapped to the back of Frank’s recumbent, right? Safe and happy travels, guys! And good riding.
@Steampunk
The ultimate nightmare: turn up at the Pave Cycling Classics gite to find a row of recumbents lined up outside with OBR decals and flags as some fat, bearded, sandalled bloke wanders out saying “Hi, I’m Fronk”
I prepared this week by riding 15 sectors of local cobbles and discovered that my rear derailleur was bent. And my rear hub bearing was crunchy.
It’s all sorted now. I’m working overtime so I can focus on nothing but the trip in 5 days. So excited!
Make us proud over there — and a humble lexicon submission: cobblasm.
So freaking stoked for you that are going, looks like an amazing time.
Pretty OT, but does anyone have the RGB values for Velominati orange/grey. I don’t have GIMP or anything on this install to color match, but want it for my phone.
Is that time trial still happening?
HellYeah !!!! weather is fine here , the Gent-Wevelgem peloton passed me on the way to work today in Oostende (1st hour of the race) and Tommeke Boonen is in fine form , all good omens for a good keepers tour to come !!! I’m beyond stoked just hope the legs won’t give out before the mind on all those puniching secteurs. Keepers van harte welkom in Vlaanderen
Fränk I have no words for the sheer awesomeness of your work and the trip. Just a thought – shouldn’t we have a VSP contest on the attendees? Maybe on bike performance and an off the bike too – you know how flexible the elbows are, wink wink, nudge nudge…
@napolinige
My money’s on @Brett for both…
Shiver me tits this is gonna rulck! Last training ride today. Will pack up the bike, have a recovery week, and get my ass handed to me on Saturday. I wish all you sods could be there, I really do. This wouldn’t be happening if not for this awesome community. Cheers.
@Bianchi Denti
I’ll second that. I’d even go so far as to say he’ll get kicked out of the airport bar before he’s collected his luggage.
@Belgian Cobblestones
What an incredibly kind thing to say; on behalf of everyone attending, we hope to repay your country with honor and respect. Hartelijke dank.
It was a lot of fun to hear Tomeke speak Flemish today on the footage I watched. I’m of course very nervous that my Dutch won’t pass muster when speaking in Vlaanderen, but that gave me hope that I’ll be able to get by. Tot volgende week!
@Marko
Well said, mate. I’m packing, packing, packing, trying not to forget the stuff people have asked me to bring and the stuff I need to bring etc etc etc and my head is just spinning with excitement.
None of this – beyond Keepers Tour, I mean this whole crazy thing we have going here – would be impossible without all of you. Please know we’ll be thinking of all of you, and providing loads of updates. Get over on Tumblr and check it out for daily updates (if not more) and we’ll provide several updates here as well.
Thanks to all of you, from the bottom of our hearts. As Marko said, we genuinely wish you could all be there with us. VLVV.
Wow – already laying down the ground work with the Mrs. for any future tours…have fun boys!
Wow, those V items are awesome!
Y’all have a good time!! I can’t wait to see the updates/pictures/videos.
Just outstanding guys!
All of this is simply too good to be true! Velominitus, I’m jealous of you, but I’m also extremely pumped for the awesomeness that awaits.
Those flags look stunning! I’m sure all of you are counting down the days like a kid in early December awaiting Christmas.
G’rilla – How’d you figure out it was bent? And who fixed it? I know you are movin’ along as a budding mechanic.
And not to deviate too much, but what does Tom Boonen think/feel as he gets in bed on Sunday night? “Oh, I just won e3 in a spring, barely keeping ahead of Oscar. And today I came through a wild, wild bunch spring to win another Gent-Wevelgem. That was a nice weekend. Now…I must rest.”
It’s incredible that there are men alive who can ride like that.
Ha, spring is here!
sprint, of course!!!
While all of you lads are gone I hope to get a leg up on ya in the VSP. You dicks are gonna be out riding the cobbles. Suckers! I’ll be here jockeying for that VSP apron.
I’m ready – at the pre-packing stage still, but mentally, nothing but pave. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and introducing myself to the pave. I’m ready to have the time of my life with you guys. See you soon, comrades!
cruisingthecobbles2012.blogspot.com
Please take this the right way…fuck you all very much!
Now that the jealousy has been dealt with, that gear looks so schweet & the level of quality involved is no doubt a fair indicator of the level of enjoyment you’ll all experience. Expecting some awesome updates via twitter & tumblr while you’re there and a few additions to the YouTube channel once you return.
VLVV
I’ve gotta hand it to you frahnk, you’ve got this trip down cold. the banner is way past kewl, it’s legendary!! my jealousy hasn’t gone I’ve just accepted it… plant the flag for the velominati.
DAmn, all the cool kids are going to be out having fun. Maybe I can glue some bricks to my rollers so I can pretend I’m riding cobbles.
@Tobin
Doing the same with my wife. “Sweetie, how about we go to Italy next spring instead of this fall? It will be great shopping (whisper)biking(/whisper) weather.”
That is a metric fuckton of awesomeness right there.
I request; nay, I DEMAND, that I see one of the keepers running alongside the breakaway in Paris-Roubaix holding the flag wearing something bizarre (what that might be, of course, will be up to you).
Fucking brilliant. Everything looks fantastic. So envious of those of you who have the opportunity to attend. Wishing you safe travels, strong legs, and no flats. Will keep my eyes peeled for the flag while watching the races stateside.
BTW, Gianni, you and your VMH might consider a side biz selling handmade musette bags on eBay/etsy/whatever. They look outstanding.
yehhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa – BRING IT ON!!
Beware anyone who tries to sit on my wheel on Saturday, it might be a slippy with all the nasal toothpaste I am currently exuding
I see the forecast is for sun all week, to produce a nice cake of dust before the rain is forecast to arrive on Saturday – nice timing lads!
Can I put my name down for next Keeper’s Tour please before it books up?
That is about V kinds of awesome. Have a fantastic trip, guys. I am so jealous.
One request, though: No photos of Belgian toothpaste.
Thank you in advance.
This trip is one for the ages. I am so impressed with the details. It’s been fun to follow: in-house development of the technologically cutting-ege, flawless musette bags; the acquisition of Golden Tickets; the venues; the sponsorships (thanks fizik!); the pints; the arguments and the encouragements.
Frank, your obsessive-compulsive disorder has been an absolute blessing. Mental illness has its benefits.
Fuck, I’m sooooo envious. I’d have given my left cojone to be with y’all on this trip.
Best of luck, Merckxspeed, chapeau, and all that is good and beautiful in cycling.
@Dannel
Strange you should mention that, I think I’ve just had one, and we ain’t even got there yet…
Some may remember my tale of a hardman patient of mine, whom I occasionally ride with, who punctured his lung riding Geneve to Nice last year – hit a car 80km from Nice, cycled the rest of the way, and only four days later when he flew back to Belfast, did he get a chest Xray to demonstrate that he has in fact cracked three ribs and had a pneumothorax
– well, anyway, just off the phone to him – he was doing 45kmh on friday, couldn’t get in the big ring, so as he gazed quizzically at his FD, he driffted off the tarmac and hit a garden wall – fractured clavicle (very Pro) and multiple pelvic fractures
The standard is set, the bar his high….
By the way, he still hopes to do the 3-day Etape in France just before the TdF kicks off – he’ll be 62 then…..daft fucker
@Dr C
I’ve got a little of the same sputum oozing from my head as well. Remember – snot rocket low and to the outside of the double pace line. I’m hoping though to be in fine order by Saturday.
@Dr C
Speaking of smashed up bones and punctured organs, has your glittering medical career included a stint in A&E? You may have to wear a special medic’s gillet over your v-kit (although from some of the earlier posts your skills will most likely be required by @Brett round the clock)
May I suggest everyone plays this at an appropriate time this week.
Gah, where did the video get to… I even previewed to check it was embedded.
Well here’s a link instead:
http://youtu.be/lQeo3OfuEDM
I appear to have every V-related bit of kit I own and two of everything else in a nearly overweight suitcase. Castelli should be paying me something as I am now a rolling billboard for them, not a bad billboard to be. Sun would be nice as rain and cold might be my thin-blooded undoing.
I’m just hanging on to Frank’s cape of awesomeness, he is a Stud. A rendezvous with Brett and Rigid in Amsterdam then Frank and Marko and if we don’t get kicked off the train into Belgium we will be OK.
Each ride I will draw some strength from my fellow Velominati who couldn’t make the trip and I will need their strength again as the Belgian ale unzips my skull my brain flops out on the floor like a freshly landed Orange Roughie!
Let the fun begin. If I can figure out how Tumblr works I’ll put up some Amsterdam photos when I get in. Cheers all!