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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Nate says:

Nov 12 2011 at 7:05 pm

Holy Merckx gents, outstanding work over the last 36 hours. Is it just me, or are we due for a damp Roubaix soon? It's been a while.

Off to go fit my Open Paves, Rule 9 season is here...
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 8:18 pm

@huffalotpuffalot

Awesomely Casually Deliberate Chiapucci

What a great shot! And is that Rold Aldag on the kick-ass Merckx MX Leader and Time shoes? And take a load of Bugno right in front of him in the rainbow stripes. Might be my favorite shot of the article.

@LA Dave
Cheers!
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 8:23 pm

@Nate

Is it just me, or are we due for a damp Roubaix soon? It's been a while.

A-Merckx, brother. 2002 was the last one. It will have been a full decade if its dry again.
itburns says:

Nov 12 2011 at 8:51 pm

@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.
frank says:

Nov 12 2011 at 9:20 pm

@Oli

Roger.

I see you, you dumbass puddle. I ain't afraid o' shit. I'm gonna ride through you with some mayonnaise!

@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.

A+1
Oli says:

Nov 12 2011 at 9:40 pm

@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.
Nate says:

Nov 12 2011 at 9:42 pm

@frank
Would love to see the best of the current generation (Cancellara, Boonen, Gilbert, Thor et al.) become true legends by facing up against the worst Mother Nature has to offer.
Oli says:

Nov 12 2011 at 9:44 pm

But then it couldn't be Fignon's bum - maybe it's Luc LeBlanc, the Inspector Clouseau of the peloton?
scaler911 says:

Nov 12 2011 at 9:48 pm

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.........
scaler911 says:

Nov 12 2011 at 9:49 pm

Bottecchia that is.