Categories: Awesome French GuysBelgian AffirmationsKeepers Tour

Riding Beautifully Ugly

The stones bring out the best in certain types of riders.

The cobbles are not for everyone. Peter van Petegem said it best, that you have to really love the stones to be good at them. Much like climbing, they demand that the rider forge a close relationship with a special kind of pain – one that is self-inflicted and inspires you to inflict more.

I knew I would love the pavé before my tires ever came close to them. I knew I had the right head for it (stubborn), and I knew I had the right body for it (fat). I had watched all the Paris-Roubaix videos that I could get my hands on, but they didn’t really sink their claws in; I was getting drunk on kegs of LeMond’s Tour domination and was yet to develop my Classics palate. It all changed in 1991 when Marc Madiot stormed the gates of Hell and won his second Roubaix.

I remember sitting on my parent’s sofa, remote control in hand, watching the overhead camera shot of Madiot riding along the Carrefour de l’Arbre. There was such grace in his style despite the way his bike lurched about underneath him. I rewound the tape over and over again and watched in awe.

That’s the kind of riding I can do business with.

For the next 22 years, I was convinced I was good at riding the cobbles in the way only a Dutchman can be convinced of something he knows absolutely nothing about. And when I finally hit the stones for the first time during Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012, my love was confirmed.

I don’t know that I’m any good at riding cobblestones, to be honest. But I know they appeal to me more than any other kind of riding. Sometimes, when I’m riding gravel in the Cascades I hit a section of rough road that reminds me of the incomparable feeling of the pavé. I can’t wait to go back this Spring and breath in their atmosphere once again.

Loving something is more important being good at it; I’ve always believed that. In fact, loving something is usually what makes you good at it. That’s definitely the case with the stones. To be good at riding them, you truly have to love them.

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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brett says:

Dec 20 2014 at 8:39 pm

@frank, nice one mate, looking forward to hitting the stones again with you next April.

There really is something about the cobbles that bring out the best in you, by beating it out of you. Some secteurs treat you better than others, or suit some riders more. I seem to go pretty well on the Carrefour de l'Abre, but suck on Mons Pevele. You can feel like Madiot one minute, or Schleck the next.
GogglesPizano says:

Dec 20 2014 at 11:42 pm

This one could be fun

http://thecyclinghouse.com/trip/montana-hell-ride/
mdoherty83 says:

Dec 22 2014 at 6:55 am

@Buck Rogers

"It's a bollocks, this race! You're working like an animal, you don't have time to piss, you wet your pants. You're riding in mud like this, you're slipping .... It's a pile of shit." Then when asked if he would be back next year, this was his reply, "Sure, it's the most beautiful race in the world!"

Thanks for this @buck rogers, i'm using quotes like to explain my recently discovered cycling addiction to the VHW, keep it up.
Ron says:

Dec 22 2014 at 7:11 am

It's awesome how long some of you have followed the PRO peloton. Very cool that your passion remains so high. I'm a rookie in comparison to many of ya.

Ooooh, do I see some M-Frames? As much as I love Radars and some Rudy Project shades as well, the M-Frames are a pretty incredible set of shades. Not as cool looking as some of the newer ones, but great unimpeded vision, good wind protection, light, nice arm crooks to go around your helmet straps. Very solid shades many years down the line.
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 22 2014 at 7:43 am

@Paul

I just signed in for the cyclo next april. Im looking very much forward to it. Its gonna be a day of hell, but that's what I like about these challenges. One moment you think wtf have done, stupid f*ck. The other moment you think no pain no gain. Bring it on motherfuckers!! Pain is weakneas leaving the body!

Ohhh FUCK, Brother! Soooo awesome! Did you sign for the full cyclo??? It is UNBELIEVEABLE how those pave' fuck you up after 200+ k's. Cannot be imagined, only experienced! Soooo jealous for you and at the same time feel such pity for you as well!!
Ron says:

Dec 23 2014 at 6:57 am

That video is excellent. Is Madiot spinning? No. He's trying to rip his cranks off the spindle.
therealpeel says:

Dec 23 2014 at 7:31 am

@mdoherty83

@Buck Rogers

"It's a bollocks, this race! You're working like an animal, you don't have time to piss, you wet your pants. You're riding in mud like this, you're slipping .... It's a pile of shit." Then when asked if he would be back next year, this was his reply, "Sure, it's the most beautiful race in the world!"

Thanks for this @buck rogers, i'm using quotes like to explain my recently discovered cycling addiction to the VHW, keep it up.

And quotes like these help her understand?