If you ever doubted for a minute that the hardmen of yore drafted the blueprint for The Rules, you need only look at these fine examples to be reminded that no matter how limited the resources they had to work with, they still managed to do a better job of Looking Fantastic than we ever could.
It matters not to them that having pockets in the front of the jersey gave the impression of gynecomastia, their aching backs ably supported by crude inner-tube mansierres. They didn’t care that their cycling caps were actually just handkerchiefs tied at the corners, or that the bulging gusset in their shorts needed to be covered up at all times when off the bike by a strategically placed hand. It meant they got to fraternise with the likes of Wevelgem Mayor Wally de Schmoi, infamous for his love of wine, women and tucking his tie into his pants.
That’s just the way they rolled back then. And if you think they gave a fuck, well, think again. They were too busy laying waste to fools like us to even consider rolling their socks back up.
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@Chris
These men have just seem the recently posted Kylie Minogue Agent Provocateur video. Mayor Wally is confident he can watch it in comfort, unlike the rider to his right. Oo-err missus indeed.
Though twelve months always seems to go quickly, I forget what it's like trying to shake off the winter excess & get going with the spring riding. I'm also actually doing a lot of work this year, instead of riding my bike so far & fast that I am too tired to remember all that I have to finish up.
Anyone else experiencing the doldrums of a long winter? I'm just not that excited about pedaling these days & I'm not exactly sure why. Seems more like a chore than a blast.
@Ron Maybe time to shake up the routine? I was off the training completely for 2 months thanks to a hockey injury followed by a bout of Norwalk. Found it a little tough to get back into until I signed up for a Fondo and got involved with a charity ride. I am matching money for mileage and now I am training like a mad man as I already owe 600 km's in training mileage. It has given me more of a purpose to ride the trainer till I can get back outside.
Those are some big honking tires they are riding in that photo... If I had to guess I say at least 28c and maybe in excess of 30. Anyone have any idea what the actual tire widths were back in the day of this photo?
Separately, I really like this photo because it reminds me of cycling's blue collar, hard man roots. The sport today (at least the Grand Tours) is frequently dominated by bulimic looking prima donnas who weigh about 140lbs soaking wet and have the fragile egos of a 13 year old girl (Schleck). The gents in this photo look like they could be boxers or equally at home in a bar fight as they were in a group sprint. My kind of riders...
@Dr C
The Smurfs are Belgian: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smurfs
Love the beautiful white shirt of the Mayor...
Oh, that's not the Sartorialist!
@Pedale.Forchetta
Yes, a clean shirt is important. My great-grandfather Giuseppe Musca always wore a crisp, clean white shirt tucked neatly into his pants, which sat around the full diameter of his ample belly, which was about two and a half feet off the floor. No one could quite say why, but the women adored him. Maybe it was the shirt.
Roche has some meat on his arms.
Schmoi has a proper fuckin' hat there. No person I know, or have met, could were that that well. Douchebag Portland hipsters try, but then, they're douchebags. From Portland. Awesome shot.
@the Engine
I've worked in medicine for almost 23 years now, the last 10 in the OR. I wash my hands so much I'm convinced they're totally sterile. But then at home, I have 2 small dogs, 4 chickens, random cats, and a 6 y/o. And we garden. Probably growing the next super strain of ebola over here.
@ChrisO
Strong work, much appreciated here. You other pom gits talking about infections need to Stay On Target.
@Deakus
You are complaining of gout (you're in that crowd right? ) but the real problem is at 12 c your knees should still be covered.
@Anjin-san This is why the classics fucking rock.