Categories: Anatomy of a PhotoLook ProThe Hardmen

Anatomy of a Photo: Looking Fantastic

Roger de Leginck riding in a Flemish Mirror. Photo: CorVos/Pez

Steel Gazelles, check. Monster fork rake, check. Hairnets, check. North European monsoon, check. Flemish Mirror, check. Chain welded to the Big Ring, check. WTF Leggins affixed to Our Hero, check.

Roger de Vlaeminck does his part to remind us that while Looking Pro isn’t synonymous with Looking Fantastic, being a Level V Badass can make even the most jacked gear look the business.

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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DerHoggz says:

Dec 10 2011 at 8:01 am

@frank

The Prophet says: "I could still drop you anytime, you lanky Dutchman."

As to RdV is rocking, I'm guessing something that is water proof, but not breathable, hence the open backs? He didn't need your fancy polyester and carbon fiber.
scaler911 says:

Dec 10 2011 at 8:08 am

@gaswepass

never had heard of these prior to this post, yet here is one in the wilds of SE portland...of course it wasn't defying gravity like this...

Been into the "Holiday Ales" again?
scaler911 says:

Dec 10 2011 at 8:15 am

@RedRanger

One of my favorite photos:

The Prophet explaining exactly when he's going to crush Roger. Excellent photo! Nipple lube!
Steampunk says:

Dec 10 2011 at 10:07 am

@frank
They actually look like football shinguards, and I wonder if they aren't some kind of reinforced knee/shin protection for training on the cobbles?
RedRanger says:

Dec 10 2011 at 10:18 am

@Steampunk
Is this a photo of a training ride? Why do they have race numbers on the bikes?
Steampunk says:

Dec 10 2011 at 10:23 am

@RedRanger
You're right. I retract the training part. It looks too fitted to the shin to simply be a rain/warmth thing. But maybe it's just a hard shell, which won't absorb any water. I dunno.
acciaio says:

Dec 10 2011 at 10:51 am

I'm currently riding the 50k round trip to work on an early 80s Gazelle Champion Mondiale, bought to protect bike number 1 from the winter commute. Still a fast and stiff ride aged almost 30, with 53/42 Campy Gran Sport up front, matching down tube shifters (more trouble than it's worth to change down!) and classic drop Cinelli bars.

Here it is at the top of Highgate Hill basking in its ability to hurt my knees!
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 10 2011 at 10:54 am

@RedRanger

One of my favorite photos:

This is the photo that is also on Bigringriding, right, with the awesome caption about how Merckx is Telling RDV exactly how he is going to f#$k him in the upcoming race? Love it.
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 10 2011 at 10:55 am

@acciaio
Chapeau! Beautiful ride. Even has the toe-clips.
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 10 2011 at 10:58 am

@frank

@Buck Rogers

@cutters79

Lest we forget Roger's smallest gear is probably 42-19!

My '92 Merckx with all '92 circa gear has a straight block 11-18. I wonder what his actual gearing is? Looks larger than a 19 to me.

It looks like a 23, meaning if they are on a six-speed block, that's what, a 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23? Ouch. Dudes had to know how to mash a gear on one end and spin like a bastard on the other.

Agree, looks bigger than 21 but definitely not a 25. One of the things I love about "The Rider" is the scene where he is selecting cogs for the upcoming race. I never did that. I had a few casettes that I would switch out, but never actual built up individual cogs for a race. Too cool.