Categories: Defining MomentsRacingThe Hardmen

Here Stands a Man: Johan Van Summeren

Working man Van Summeren wins in Roubaix. Photo: Fotoreporter Sirotti

Here stands a man. A quiet man. A hard working man. A Belgian man. A man from a life of grit, cold, and rain.

Here stands a man who has chosen a life of hard work and sacrifice; a hard life even within the context of Cycling. A man who spends long hours in the wind and in the rain, in the service of his team. A man who despite those long hours in the wind and in the rain, typically tastes victory only upon the tongue of others.

Here stands a man who even today, spent the day in the service of another. A man who’s loyalty lay elsewhere, for another man’s glory. But he is also a man who was given an opportunity. A man who more so than any other today, wanted that opportunity and grabbed hold with both hands, resolving only to let go if the very air within his lungs abandoned him.

Here stands a man who only required air in his lungs – not his tires – in order to reach the velodrome alone. A man who even as the air escaped his tire five kilometers from the finish refused to let up on the pedals.

Here stands a man who despite a half minute lead entering the final two kilometers had me biting my nails since the man chasing at 30 seconds happened to be the fastest man in the world, known for making the impossible possible. A man for whom my legs twitched in sympathy as he circled the velodrome and as I continued to wonder if a Swiss gentleman aboard a brommer wouldn’t appear out of nowhere to steal his glory.

Here stands a man who’s name is forever changed by the words, “Vainqueur de Paris-Roubaix.”

Here stands a man. A quiet man. A hard working man. A Belgian man. A man from a life of grit, cold, and rain. No other man stands today who better represents the wondrous power of this sport in general, and the magic of Paris-Roubaix in particular.

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 Unforgettable Rides: Gavia 1988 »

Previous « Velominati Super Prestige: Paris-Roubaix

View Comments

packfiller says:

Apr 14 2011 at 2:47 pm

Every cobble is a six inch climb, and six inch descent.
Gianni says:

Apr 14 2011 at 3:33 pm

@Marcus

4600 feet (1,380m) isn't that much climbing over a course of 260-odd kms...

True, but it's adding insult to injury. I would be most shagged out after that distance, riding surface and climbing. Thank god I'm not a pro. And to think I thought that was a flat race.
I seem to remember Liege-Bastogne-Liege has an unreal amount of actual climbing over it's distance...like 18,000'. Holy Shiet! I'll research that.
RedRanger says:

Apr 14 2011 at 6:39 pm

@Gianni
as long as you look pro then your doing ok.
Gianni says:

Apr 14 2011 at 8:46 pm

@RedRanger
That's all I have...
mcsqueak says:

Apr 14 2011 at 10:02 pm

@Gianni

You were certainly a pro looking directeur sportif on Frank's volcano video!
Ron says:

Apr 15 2011 at 6:09 am

I'll second that, mcsqueak! I'll ride the volcano any day of the week if Gianni is my DS.

packfiller - awesomeness! 6" up, 6" down.

More generally I was thinking that this spring would be a good time to change all my cyclometers over to KMs. Anyone else made this switch? Or am I the only Velominati still riding in miles?

At worst it'll make group rides pretty damn interesting while trying to keep up and do math in my head. That is, until I train myself to think in kilometers.
frank says:

Apr 15 2011 at 10:19 am

@Ron

At worst it'll make group rides pretty damn interesting while trying to keep up and do math in my head. That is, until I train myself to think in kilometers.

There you go. That's the ticket right there. Just worry about the key conversion, which are only relevant to non-Velominati: 32km is 20mi, 40km is 25mi, 50km is just over 30mi, 80km is 50mi, and 100km is 60mi. From there you just add and convert.

Plus, it's better for your morale to go 40km/h than it is to go 25mi/h.
Nate says:

Apr 15 2011 at 11:06 am

@Ron
I made the switch this winter in pennance for past rule violations that seemed to be bogging me down with bad form and recommend it. I may not have gotten any faster, but I feel faster.

Also, gratuitous pedantry, because if I don't do it, someone else will: the singular of "Velominati" is "Velominatus."
sgt says:

Apr 15 2011 at 1:02 pm

@Ron
I did it when I got Rule 74 compliant a couple months ago. Don't worry about translating, you'll get used to it.

Besides, if you have the mental clarity to convert miles to km on the bike, apply Rule V until no you no longer care.
Nicole says:

Apr 16 2011 at 10:29 am

@mcsqueak

I have a rule (unlikely to be tested) that if a boyfriend of mine ever wins P-R, he gets a kiss. Seems fair, regardless of "toothpaste" used.