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.

Next Rule 28: Dissenting Opinion »

Previous « Velominati Keepers Tour: Cobbled Classics 2012

View Comments

frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 10:26 am

@wiscot

I think there should be a new rule: all photographs of Paris-Roubaix should be printed in black-and-white. C'mon, you know they just look better that way. In fact, color photography should be banned from all the spring classics.

+1

@scaler911

@frank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCnZqg1RgGA&feature=related

And I say again, +1

@Steampunk

@Marko
Also love that Moser is looking absolutely wrecked. Gap between sleeves and arm warmers on such a pro's pro is a strong indication of just how hard P-R 1987 was...

I thought for a second it was the year that Dirk De Wolf won, so wasn't expecting Eric to sprint clear. Absolutely fantastic footage. Awesome, awesome, awesome.
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 10:30 am

@Steampunk

@frank
Turning ozone into oxygen: is that what makes Ritchey such a badass?

Its only one of many.@scaler911

While a photo of an old folded magazine cover usually sucks, check out the amount of V Freddy is laying down here. Everything is 'right', right?

He's going to hard, he shrunk his back wheel. Check out the Three-Point System Compliance. I know helmets are all "safe" and stuff like that, but man, do I miss seeing those guys rock the cap or the bare skull.

Like Kelly going helmetless in Roubaix. That's a man who says, "I've been waiting to crack open a granit block with my head ever since I saw that movie, Predator."
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 10:42 am

Really? No pictures of Duclose-Lassalle? Dude won the race at 40 years old. BAD ASS.

Not to mention the classic show with Museeuw on the full suspension Bianchi. That period from about 1991-1995 was such an exciting time where bike mfger's were experimenting with all kinds of ideas. Very fun to have witnessed it.
Steampunk says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:10 am

The disqualified trio from 2006.
Van Petegem: "It's crazy. In Belgium they would have stopped the train."

Same edition. No, sadly, he's not adjusting his bootie.
Steampunk says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:24 am

Legend:
1956:
Steampunk says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:29 am
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:31 am

@frank

I thought for a second it was the year that Dirk De Wolf won, so wasn't expecting Eric to sprint clear. Absolutely fantastic footage. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

Ahem. I mean Dirk Demol, of course. We're not savages, after all.
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 11:47 am

More inspirational shots from Paris-Roubaix, A Journey Through Hell.

Amazing mid-crash shot. Under the circumstances, I'd least like to be the Ariostea guy.

Interesting that I'm the kind of person who recognizes the bike, saddle, and bidon brand, but not the rider.

Incredible shot that captures the glory of the cobbles.
scaler911 says:

Nov 12 2011 at 12:02 pm

@frank

Really? No pictures of Duclose-Lassalle? Dude won the race at 40 years old. BAD ASS.

Not to mention the classic show with Museeuw on the full suspension Bianchi. That period from about 1991-1995 was such an exciting time where bike mfger's were experimenting with all kinds of ideas. Very fun to have witnessed it.

You gotta look in the story submission q. I resisted posting those exact photos since I have a story in there. GDL is my avatar.
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 12:14 pm

@scaler911

@frank
You gotta look in the story submission q. I resisted posting those exact photos since I have a story in there. GDL is my avatar.

Woah, totally missed that. Gianni is kindly handling all the guest articles, so my bad on not seeing that. Your avatar, though, is Fanco Ballerini. Unless you're talking about some other site. Which seems impossible. There are no other sites, right?