Weekend Competition: The Hardmen

Contents Page 1

As I said last week when we announced the new book, The Hardmen, we had a much harder time of it writing this one than we did with The Rules. There are a variety of reasons why this is true, not least the fact that we had to actually choose which Hardmen to include in the book, a bigger chore than it might seem. Some of them were pretty obvious, some were pretty obscure, but mostly it was simply a difficult chore to narrow down the list to something we could fit in a single book without turning it into War and Peace.

Not to mention that we were basically working from memory, for our oft-stated Anti-Research Policies.

Given that, there are some major omissions, whether deliberate or otherwise. Maybe we simply didn’t like a particular rider, hardness notwithstanding (Pharsmstrong). Maybe we loved a rider and we acknowledged their hardness, but the hardness was so universal that we couldn’t zero in on a particular ride that would make the book (Boonen). Other riders featured more than once because they were so universally hard but still managed to drop majorly epic rides in often enough that we simply couldn’t keep from adding a few of their stories (Kelly, Merckx).

With that, I give you your weekend assignment: which is the most glaring omission from the book, and why? But here’s the catch: you have to be specific on which rider, and you have to be specific on preciesely which ride/action merits inclusion. Vote for your favorite omission by using the (new) like button*. If you’d like to add your own notes to someone else’s entry, just respond inline as usual. Top three omissions** will receive a free copy of The Hardmen, signed by all three authors (this will take a little time as we have to ship them around the world.)

* I have resisted adding a Like button to posts since Velominati’s inception in 2009, feeling strongly that if you have something to say, you should take the time to say it rather than anonymously tapping a like button. However, given my own limited available time to commit to posting, I have come to appreciate the elegance of being able to recognize a post for its humor without needing to respond to it with something unimaginative like, “Ha!” I hold fast on my view that there will never be a “Dislike” button, as I firmly believe that while you are welcome to dislike something, you need to hold yourself accountable for your remarks.

** We reserve the right to override the voting system and choose the winner at our discretion.

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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View Comments

wiscot says:

Jun 12 2017 at 10:15 am

@Buck Rogers

@wiscot

@Blackjohn

Briek Schotte 20 consecutive Ronde’s, won twice, 8 podiums. First world championship in 1948 was in a 150 mile break including 27 climbs of the Cauberg, only 10 others finished. Died on the day of the 2004 Ronde.

1

Schotte gets in on the basis of that photo alone. He looks like he’s just stepped out of Bergman’s The Seventh Seal.

0

Wonder if he plays chess well?

0

I think even Gary Kasparov would wilt under the intensity of that stare.
wiscot says:

Jun 12 2017 at 10:16 am

@Buck Rogers

Yup, that's quite the bedtime story: Greg and the (bad) Giant Peach.
frank says:

Jun 12 2017 at 10:16 am

@Buck Rogers

@frank

@Buck Rogers

So yeah, I see the difficulties with coming up with specific rides for Leman and Le Professeur off the top of my head and I do not know my history well enough with Coppi and Gimondi. That’s a good point. Maybe you could have a supplemental chapter dealing with riders who just exuded Hardness their whole careers even though one cannot pinpoint a specific instance?

0

It’s a lot harder than it seems, but of course now I realize LeMond on Luz Ardiden in 1990 would have been the moment to choose. Maybe we can add it for the US release. The Dutch release is coming out in Spring and we’re adding Dumpoulin.

0

Yes, the one where he towed Big Mig up for the win. There’s also the time that LeMan descended like a mad bastard after he had flatted and Chiappucci had attacked him. And speaking of Cappuccino, how about his drug-fuelled 4 or 5 mountain breakaway at the Tour in the early-to-mid 90’s. Sure you could actually see him inject himself along the way but that was one Fucking Hard ride!

0

Oh man, that was such an epic day! Great calls all around. LeMonster's 1989 ITT to win the Tour isn't bad either...
frank says:

Jun 12 2017 at 10:21 am

@KogaLover

@frank

The Dutch release is coming out in Spring and we’re adding Dumpoulin.

There’s also a Dutch version coming out and you’re only telling us now, and even only as a lose comment in a byline? Please make sure you use a different translator than the one who did De Regels. He does not know about cycling. Some translations made my toes curl so I could not clip in anymore. What Dutch title is being proposed? Harde mannen? or Bikkels? @ErikdR @RvanDijk Btw: any update on my gear order from last last year?

0

Not sure who will do it, but we only heard at the end of last week; due out in the Spring. I have asked as a condition of the agreement that I review the translation prior to going to press. If you guys know of a professional translator who might be up for the job, let me know. I'm mostly concerned about capturing the Velominati spirit in the sense that we deliberately misuse words and make others up to suit our fancy. Re order, hoping to get organized and sort that out soon - I know one hurdle is easier to be cleared than the other, but will do so as soon as feasible...
wiscot says:

Jun 12 2017 at 10:26 am

@frank

@KogaLover

@frank

The Dutch release is coming out in Spring and we’re adding Dumpoulin.

There’s also a Dutch version coming out and you’re only telling us now, and even only as a lose comment in a byline? Please make sure you use a different translator than the one who did De Regels. He does not know about cycling. Some translations made my toes curl so I could not clip in anymore. What Dutch title is being proposed? Harde mannen? or Bikkels? @ErikdR @RvanDijk Btw: any update on my gear order from last last year?

0

Not sure who will do it, but we only heard at the end of last week; due out in the Spring. I have asked as a condition of the agreement that I review the translation prior to going to press. If you guys know of a professional translator who might be up for the job, let me know. I’m mostly concerned about capturing the Velominati spirit in the sense that we deliberately misuse words and make others up to suit our fancy. Re order, hoping to get organized and sort that out soon – I know one hurdle is easier to be cleared than the other, but will do so as soon as feasible…

0

Yeah, might want to find an editor who's not averse to some "naughty" words . . .
Buck Rogers says:

Jun 12 2017 at 11:32 am

@frank

@KogaLover

@frank

The Dutch release is coming out in Spring and we’re adding Dumpoulin.

There’s also a Dutch version coming out and you’re only telling us now, and even only as a lose comment in a byline? Please make sure you use a different translator than the one who did De Regels. He does not know about cycling. Some translations made my toes curl so I could not clip in anymore. What Dutch title is being proposed? Harde mannen? or Bikkels? @ErikdR @RvanDijk Btw: any update on my gear order from last last year?

0

Not sure who will do it, but we only heard at the end of last week; due out in the Spring. I have asked as a condition of the agreement that I review the translation prior to going to press. If you guys know of a professional translator who might be up for the job, let me know. I’m mostly concerned about capturing the Velominati spirit in the sense that we deliberately misuse words and make others up to suit our fancy. Re order, hoping to get organized and sort that out soon – I know one hurdle is easier to be cleared than the other, but will do so as soon as feasible…

0

MATE?!?!? What the fuck? Can't you translate your own book for Merckx's sake??? I mean, are you not Dutch inside and out???
chuckp says:

Jun 12 2017 at 3:07 pm

@Buck Rogers

@frank

@KogaLover

@frank

The Dutch release is coming out in Spring and we’re adding Dumpoulin.

There’s also a Dutch version coming out and you’re only telling us now, and even only as a lose comment in a byline? Please make sure you use a different translator than the one who did De Regels. He does not know about cycling. Some translations made my toes curl so I could not clip in anymore. What Dutch title is being proposed? Harde mannen? or Bikkels? @ErikdR @RvanDijk Btw: any update on my gear order from last last year?

0

Not sure who will do it, but we only heard at the end of last week; due out in the Spring. I have asked as a condition of the agreement that I review the translation prior to going to press. If you guys know of a professional translator who might be up for the job, let me know. I’m mostly concerned about capturing the Velominati spirit in the sense that we deliberately misuse words and make others up to suit our fancy. Re order, hoping to get organized and sort that out soon – I know one hurdle is easier to be cleared than the other, but will do so as soon as feasible…

@Buck Rogers

@frank

@KogaLover

@frank

The Dutch release is coming out in Spring and we’re adding Dumpoulin.

There’s also a Dutch version coming out and you’re only telling us now, and even only as a lose comment in a byline? Please make sure you use a different translator than the one who did De Regels. He does not know about cycling. Some translations made my toes curl so I could not clip in anymore. What Dutch title is being proposed? Harde mannen? or Bikkels? @ErikdR @RvanDijk Btw: any update on my gear order from last last year?

0

Not sure who will do it, but we only heard at the end of last week; due out in the Spring. I have asked as a condition of the agreement that I review the translation prior to going to press. If you guys know of a professional translator who might be up for the job, let me know. I’m mostly concerned about capturing the Velominati spirit in the sense that we deliberately misuse words and make others up to suit our fancy. Re order, hoping to get organized and sort that out soon – I know one hurdle is easier to be cleared than the other, but will do so as soon as feasible…

0

MATE?!?!? What the fuck? Can’t you translate your own book for Merckx’s sake??? I mean, are you not Dutch inside and out???

0

MATE?!?!? What the fuck? Can’t you translate your own book for Merckx’s sake??? I mean, are you not Dutch inside and out???

0

@frank = epic fail
chuckp says:

Jun 12 2017 at 3:09 pm

@Buck Rogers

One of my favorite cycling Hardman stories of all time. I told it to my five kids with a deep reverence a few years ago and they all just looked at me like I was fucking insane (they might be right). LeMan deserves a whole fucking Hardman book just devoted to him.

They might be insane? Really? Like that was ever in doubt.
Mikael Liddy says:

Jun 12 2017 at 4:54 pm

@frank

@KogaLover

@frank

The Dutch release is coming out in Spring and we’re adding Dumpoulin.

There’s also a Dutch version coming out and you’re only telling us now, and even only as a lose comment in a byline? Please make sure you use a different translator than the one who did De Regels. He does not know about cycling. Some translations made my toes curl so I could not clip in anymore. What Dutch title is being proposed? Harde mannen? or Bikkels? @ErikdR @RvanDijk Btw: any update on my gear order from last last year?

0

Not sure who will do it, but we only heard at the end of last week; due out in the Spring. I have asked as a condition of the agreement that I review the translation prior to going to press. If you guys know of a professional translator who might be up for the job, let me know. I’m mostly concerned about capturing the Velominati spirit in the sense that we deliberately misuse words and make others up to suit our fancy. Re order, hoping to get organized and sort that out soon – I know one hurdle is easier to be cleared than the other, but will do so as soon as feasible…

0

Could do worse than Jose Been, she does a heap of Dutch & English commentary for Eurosport.
Brendan O'Donoghue says:

Jun 12 2017 at 5:27 pm

Hinault, Liege-Bastogne-Liege 1980. No explanation needed.