Categories: RacingThe Hardmen

Encore de la Pluie

The Lion roars in the mud and rain

I don’t enjoy the races in February on the Arabian Peninsula because I like watching other people ride in the sun while I spend my afternoons looking for a sliver of daylight that coincides with some fragment of my day where I don’t also need to work or engage in some other activity. I also don’t enjoy them because I think corners are overrated, nor because I like watching stock-bike time trials, nor because I believe wind is a suitable substitute for mountains.

No, I enjoy the February races on the Arabian Peninsula because it’s the first sign of life we get from the hardmen who will be bending, breaking, and smashing their way over the cobblestones this Spring in snow, rain, or suffocating dust.

Not a bad way to start things, Tomeke.

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.

View Comments

  • @ChrisO
    Yep, for some reason some local clubs don't understand the principle of echelons, at the club i got to when not a uni, wind formed from my side of a two abreast pack, so i moved up to protect the inside. Got screamed at for "Half-Wheeling". I don't have an issue with social riders but i ask they watch some racing to understand how moving as a pack works in changing conditions

  • Steampunk :
    @Buck Rogers2008 Ghent Wevelgem today.

    Where do you live?!?!?! Man, I hope it is San Antonio as I am moving there this summer!

  • What the fuck is going on with that big ring on the inside? Oh gosh. I'm guessing that is a fixed conversion? Leave it to them...

    Can't wait for the Spring Classics. My life feels like it will have meaning in a few weeks...

  • @Buck Rogers
    Dundas, Ontario. Sorry.

    G'phant:
    @Marcus
    I apologize unreservedly, retract and withdraw. Those of you who aren't Mark Renshaw are all wonderful fellows.

    This is disappointing on two counts. First: see Rule 5 and stick to your guns. And, second: I thought all Australians were Mark Renshaws...

  • @G'phant

    Those of you who aren't Mark Renshaw are all wonderful fellows.

    ++1

    @Steampunk

    And, second: I thought all Australians were Mark Renshaws...

    ++1

    Nicely done, team. FedEx is an urchin.

  • How about Cancellara and Flecha today in Oman? Man, looks like Cancellara is serious about L-B-L with his climbing. Those two are going to be a serious threat in Flanders again this year as well.

  • @frank
    Love that finish line photo. There has to be at LEAST 15 people there!

    Looks like my citizen race finishes I used to do back in my first year of cycling in '87!

    But, honestly, he's got some good form right now. Wonder if he'll hold the jersey through tomorrow's ITT?

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