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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wiscot says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:01 am

@il ciclista medio
Di Basco, has just seen Cipo's awesome Sidis and realizes that as they are custom, he'll never get a pair. Cipo is laughing at his distress.
wiscot says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:04 am

@Marko
Hush now, do not speak disparagingly of the Mighty Urs. Mind you, given DDL's intense immersion into his roles, if he as to do a cycling pic, you know he'd be thrashing himself up and down the cobbles.
frank says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:23 am

@il ciclista medio

Just admiring that first one again...Cipo, oakley's, a beautiful Bianchi with a silver fork rake to die for, a ponytail, a six pack, may be some man-scaping...my beating heart don't fail me now

@il ciclista medio

Found this a little while back and while DiBasco and Cipo's not down and dirty, who cares when they looks this good? Like, I ain't messing this up..

Great shot! The Bianchi, chrome fork, Campa...cycling cool to a T. Cipo's got the Briko Shots, though, not Oakleys, which are the raddest shades ever; still have a pair downstairs.
Steampunk says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:26 am

@wiscot
For your consideration:

Winning le Tour for the third consecutive time while in the rainbow jersey counts for something. Never mind doing it while suffering from saddle sores, which required extensive surgery afterwards. And looking this good in so doing.
Marko says:

Nov 13 2011 at 9:01 am

BRR's head must be exploding right now. I love that site.
frank says:

Nov 13 2011 at 9:14 am

@Steampunk, @wiscot

@Marko
No-one, and I mean no-one, ever looked as good in the WC jersey as Van Looy. I challenge all you boys with the technical know-how to prove me wrong. Mr. Cavendish, please take note.

I see you both, and raise you a Prophet.
frank says:

Nov 13 2011 at 9:17 am

With that, I leave you with the coup de grÃ¢ce of what might now be my favorite cycling photo ever.

That was the last bit of motivation I needed to head out on my 130km ride in Seattle, with no less that 13 categorized climbs. It's cold. It's wet. It's windy. Time for Rule 9 at V past 9.
Steampunk says:

Nov 13 2011 at 1:12 pm

@frank

That was the last bit of motivation I needed to head out on my 130km ride in Seattle, with no less that 13 categorized climbs. It's cold. It's wet. It's windy. Time for Rule #9 at V past 9.

Conversation chez moi this morning:

Mrs. Steampunk: Aren't you going for a ride this morning?
Me: Yes.
Mrs. Steampunk: It's getting late, you know. And it's supposed to rain this afternoon.
Me: I know.
Mrs. Steampunk: Do you want to get wet?

The final question hardly dignified a response, did it?
itburns says:

Nov 13 2011 at 3:41 pm

@frank
I bet the chocolate milk tasted especially good after that climb fest.
wiscot says:

Nov 13 2011 at 4:37 pm

@frank
Thank you for your efforts gents, but I believe my point still stands. No-one ever wore a proper cycling cap so perfectly. The jersey is sponsor free and immaculate, the socks pure white, the shoes black and polished. The haircut a perfect short back and sides. But it is the magnificent guns that are the trump card. Taking all these factors into consideration, The Emperor rules.