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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minion says:

Nov 13 2011 at 4:53 pm

@mouse

@Marko

It's like looking into a beautiful majestic waterfall made out of rainbows and unicorn vaginas. It's fuckin' majestic man.

Heh, heh, heh.@Marko said Unicorn Vaginas.Where's @Minion and @JiPM when you need them?

Sorry can't talk for JiPM but I was either off riding over the weekend, or bathing in a pool fed by a waterfall of rainbows and unicorn vaginas. Doesn't sound that appealling once you type it out.
Nate says:

Nov 13 2011 at 7:15 pm

@Oli
Whosever backside it is, Chiappucci is amused by it.

@Marko
There's enough material in this thread to keep him busy for years.
Buck Rogers says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:06 pm

@Oli

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

Fuck me, what a thread! This one needs to go dwon in a permanent tabbed section, Fronk. Unbelievable. Just catching up after a weekend away. Is the Gan the P-R favorite old gentleman Gilbert Duclos-Laselle? Almost positive it's not Lemond.
scaler911 says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:07 pm

@frank
Well now. Seems our esteemed leader is breaking rule 74. Or do you just hit play on Strava on the iPhone like I do?
And it is truly Rule 9 weather in the PNW. We won't see sun until July 5th. LIke the SEALS say "that which doesn't kill you only makes you harder" (that said, it's probably a 50/50 bet that you'll break something on all the fucking Maple, Oak and other leaves everywhere, or get hit by a car whilst avoiding said leafs)
Buck Rogers says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:09 pm

Look at the hammy's on Rik Van Looy! My God, that dude had some guns!
Buck Rogers says:

Nov 13 2011 at 8:14 pm

@Marko
Yeah, he rode for the French team Le Lapin Mort, no? (Pretty amazing likeness in the photo)
Zoncolan says:

Nov 14 2011 at 4:21 pm

@Oli

@frankHe's not Ariostea - the team finished up in '93 and Le Groupement only existed in '95 - it's an AKI-Gipiemme rider...

Beat me to it! Strong work.
huffalotpuffalot says:

Nov 15 2011 at 2:09 am

@All Awesome news about the photo I posted. I managed to get in touch with Angus who posted it on another website and he has gone one better. He has provided me with a link to the Super 8 video of the actual race where the picture came from!!! It is from a race in Meerane East Germany. This video is from the 1960s and is just brilliant to watch. Enjoy!! So thanks to Angus!
Lee says:

Nov 16 2011 at 7:09 pm

@frank

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

that photo is like a mustache with titties
HigherGround says:

Nov 5 2013 at 12:31 am

@Marko

RIP Wouter

Wow, he was wearing 108 in that photo as well. I pass a few houses with the # 108 on some of my regular rides, often including a decent back home. It reminds me of Wouter every time.