Categories: Belgian AffirmationsFolkloreKeepers TourNostalgiaThe Hardmen

Belgian Affirmations: Andrei Tchmil

Andrei Tchmil got so tired of the palpable disappointment of not being Belgian that he decided to become one. Envision the world the way you want it to be, then make it so.

People are cynical when I talk about Belgium. They think I’m only Belgian on paper. That is not true. Yes, I was a Russian, even a proud one…. Now I am proud to be Belgian.

A-Merckx; I totally understand the Awesome you’re on about.

Incidentally, I’m so inappropriately excited about Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012 that I can’t promise next week won’t be another week of unabashed, full-frontal Belgian Toothpaste Porn.

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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scaler911 says:

Nov 12 2011 at 9:57 pm

And since we're throwing up cool photos this time around, what's the ruling on Simpsons hat here? I'm sure it's not in compliance, but he makes it look good.

Super tan Anquetil right on his heels.
Oli says:

Nov 12 2011 at 10:09 pm

That's not Simpson or Anquetil, I'm afraid! I think the hat guy is Rudi Altig, and I have no idea about the Salvarani rider but I know it's not Maitre Jacques as he never rode for that team...
ChrisO says:

Nov 12 2011 at 10:28 pm

@scaler911

Is that really Tom Simpson ? He looks so different to the more gaunt photos one usually sees (apart from also being so used to seeing him in the classic Peugeot strip).
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:04 pm

@Oli

@frank
I think you're right about Aldag, and that's Fignon's arse in the Castorama shorts, with LeMond between him and Bugno. A stage start during the 1993 Tour, I'm picking.

Not if that's Fignon; he was on Gatorade by 1993.
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:17 pm

@Oli

But then it couldn't be Fignon's bum - maybe it's Luc LeBlanc, the Inspector Clouseau of the peloton?

Right, I'm guessing Leblanc too. Except he's number 21 which makes no sense if it's the Tour. Maybe the Criterium (Dauphine)?
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:19 pm

@scaler911

We all talk about how many steeds are enough and Carbone and argue the merits of Di2, but really it's all about laying down The V:

Not a lot of folks doing what he was doing back then.........

Dude mid-scramble in the suit is the bomb. 100% Studmuffin.
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:21 pm

@itburns

@wiscot

@frank
Don't know what race Freddy's in here. Sure ain't P-R. It's a TT - jersey tucked in and no bottle cage. Totally rule compliant. Not going to use it? Take it off! Have to say though, the brim up at the back is a tad less aero than having it down.

The brim up at the back was known as a V-wing and provided some down force to keep the bike on the road. Later adopted by car racing.

Nice. I see those on Honda Civics a lot.
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:23 pm

Best picture of Roubaix ever.
Oli says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:35 pm

@frank
You're right, it's not LeBlanc it is Dominique Arnould - number 121.
Oli says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:36 pm

And it's not LeMond either! I'll get me coat...