Categories: EtiquetteLook ProNostalgiaTradition

Look Pro: Souplesse

Master Jacques, master of souplesse.

Souplesse. Only the French would have such a word; one you can sink your teeth into, chew on. It begs to be spoken over a plate of assorted cheeses and a bottle of vin rouge. Its exact definition is unimportant; such things conjure up an image in our minds that is cheapened by words. Souplesse is the ideal, sought by all and obtained only by The Few.

Souplesse is the perfect storm of Looking Pro; harmony between grace and power, casual and deliberate. It speaks of the entire organism, the perfectly manicured machine together with the perfectly refined position and technique of its rider. It is the combination of Magnificent Stroke, gentle sway of the shoulders and head, the rhythmic breath, and of knees, elbows, and chest converging on the V-Locus.

Jacques Anquetil is man of whom we have spoken surprisingly little in these archives. Perhaps it is because he is a man who inspires us in death as little as he did his fans in life. A calculating man, he pursued Cycling not for the love and passion of it, but for the business of it; for him, the bicycle provided a path from peasantry to aristocracy. That was all.

Be that as it may, he was a gifted cyclist whose fluidity on the bike exemplified Souplesse:

A Magnificent Stroke is more than pushing or pulling on the pedals. The stroke flows from the core and hips, driving the pedals round and belying the effort to do so.
Feet sweep the pedals around in perfect revolutions, one leg cannot be distinguished from the other – they work as one to counter and balance the forces to drive the machine ever faster forward.
The legs can not do their work without the arms, the lungs, the chest, the heart, the mind. Each unit functions independently to do its work, yet feeds seamlessly into the other. In a phrase: Fluidly Harmonic Articulation.
Move to the V-Locus; the body is folded such that legs, arms, and chest overlap but do not intersect. Knees tucked in, shoulders hunched, wrists rolled inwards, elbows angled such that the knees only just slip inside them with each revolution of the cranks.
Face calm, eyes cooly focussed up the road; a grimace is energy that is better spent on turning the pedals.

I give you Master Jacques.

More: Jacques Anquetil Part II & Part III

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

paolo says:

Feb 16 2012 at 11:53 am

@Oli

I didn't know you had Basil Brush in New Zealand ( you are a Kiwi right? Or am I confusing you with someone else on here?)
The Oracle says:

Feb 16 2012 at 11:55 am

@Calmante

@scaler911...and then you go and say something like that. At the very least, I haven't resorted to the name calling.

Well, he did say you possessed a "wealth of knowledge," which is kinda a compliment that evens out the name-calling. Plus, he wants you immortalized as a Lexicon entry. That should make you happy!
minion says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:01 pm

Where would this site be without self aggrandizing internet heroes?

Edit that, where would I be if I couldn't come here and be a self aggrandizing internet hero...(on another website, leaving all you lot to discuss howmanyfuckingtimesnowalready bar tape and seat colour)
Vive la resistance!@frank

@Calmari

@Oli who might act like a prick sometimes, but has done his part to establish his credibility.

What you say about Oli? Huh? Em's fighting words
scaler911 says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:03 pm

@Calmante

@frank

Having said that, a big fuck you to everyone who disagrees with me. Your mother.

@Calmante

@scaler911
...and then you go and say something like that. At the very least, I haven't resorted to the name calling.

Naw. You sure haven't. Cheers mate!
Bill says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:06 pm

This is the type of conversation that makes me really look forward to the tour next month. Especially over Belgian beer.
Calmante says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:06 pm

No. The name is borrowed. If you guys want me immortalized as a tool, I should change my user name. The real Calmante doesn't deserve that.
Calmante says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:12 pm

@scaler911

@Calmante

@frank
Having said that, a big fuck you to everyone who disagrees with me. Your mother.

@Calmante

@scaler911
...and then you go and say something like that. At the very least, I haven't resorted to the name calling.

Naw. You sure haven't. Cheers mate!

Is that the only sentence you read? I thought it was pretty obvious that that was a joke? I guess i'm not the only one who needs to settle down, Francis.
scaler911 says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:12 pm

@Oli

Good morning, everybody...I'm feeling very suppleness today, just ask my wife (boom boom)!

HA!
itburns says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:14 pm

@Louutah

I am currently reading "Sex, Lies and Handlebar Tape" Here is a quick little paragraph from the book.
Not that Anquetil helped himself; he couldnt resist provoking his assailants: "Here's the routine I'd advise for the evening before a race: a pheasant with chestnuts, a bottle of champagne and a woman"
Jacques = V

Reminds me of the cycling version of the Spinal Tap drummer interview:

Interviewer: "What do you love about cycling?"
Cyclist: "The pheasant with chestnuts, the champagne, and the women before a race. Actually, I can do without the race."
Ron says:

Feb 16 2012 at 12:27 pm

Wow, this one has really taken off & caused some serious ruffled feathers.

As for this brazenness allowed by the anonymity here, I have to say it's quite the opposite for me. I know I might ride with some or all of you in the near future, so I'm not about to pretend I'm harder or stronger than I am. Or bigger. I'm just 170cms, but I'll do my best to keep on that wheel!

I actually don't feel like I can say or do whatever I want, since I consider this a bit of a community. I might disagree, but I'm not going to try and step on anyone's toes. Why would I? One of ya is going to have an answer or a super sweet video for me in the near future.