Rule #5: Racing Hoogerland-Style

Photo: The Atlantic

Johnny Hoogerland, on receiving the Tour de France Rule #5 Award:

I normally don’t drink that much beer anymore but having my first off-season beer in this glass makes it taste great. I moved to my new home and will find it a great place because it honors my way of racing.

Fitting words from the man on track to take over the mantle of Hardest Man In Cycling from Jens Voigt after he retires. I’m shocked, however, at the claim that he doesn’t drink much beer. Partly because beer rules, and partly because I’m flummoxed by what kind of post-ride recovery drink he has if not beer.

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

Harminator says:

Dec 5 2011 at 4:03 am

Even though it was outrageously negligent and totally avoidable, the Hoogerland incident will surely go down as a genuine hardman legend. Time will never diminish it. Straight after the crash he seemed calm and collected, even as he got untangled from the fence then treated. Check the fat stitches. What a man!
frank says:

Dec 5 2011 at 8:41 am

@Harminator

Even though it was outrageously negligent and totally avoidable, the Hoogerland incident will surely go down as a genuine hardman legend. Time will never diminish it. Straight after the crash he seemed calm and collected, even as he got untangled from the fence then treated. Check the fat stitches. What a man!

Absolutely. And, and American would have sued the driver's pants off and retired in Southern California. Instead, he says something to the effect of, "Ah, hell. I bet he didn't mean to..." and just gets on with his job.

Class act.
Harminator says:

Dec 5 2011 at 2:21 pm
Harminator says:

Dec 5 2011 at 2:25 pm

Yeah, I should be right to ride a couple of thousand more K's through the Pyrenees and Alps...
frank says:

Dec 5 2011 at 9:23 pm

@Harminator
Aside from how bloody and badass he looks, that picture gives me serious Gun Envy. I mean, lets be realistic: if it wasn't for this crash, we'd really not be able to pick Johnny out from the rest of the bunch...but check out his guns. Even as a "regular" Pro, those pipes are amazing.

I'm ashamed to be proud of my guns, given how pinner they are.
Benj says:

Dec 7 2011 at 5:41 pm

This year's TDF was one of the main thing's which really got me into road riding and watching Johnny get knocked off was sickening but so inspiring to see him jump back on the bike after being ripped to shreds.
A massive dose of Rule #5 to the power of V.
paolo says:

Jun 23 2013 at 11:46 am

Congratulations to Mr Hoogerland. Dutch national champion today. Chapeau!!