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

Calmante says:

Feb 15 2012 at 7:01 pm

@frank
With all respect...
Although I think Breukink is great, and he certainly had style, there isn't much souplesse to be seen in that video. The best example in that clip is Andy Hampsten, in strict accordance with the true meaning of the word.
Oli says:

Feb 15 2012 at 7:08 pm

@frank
I know that very well. I still think you're missing my point, which still stands.

@Calmante
Far from thinking little of you, I think we're cut from the same lycra. I don't agree with some of the things you say, but I respect your right to say them and have at times enjoyed your tilts at various windmills.
Larry says:

Feb 15 2012 at 7:16 pm

Brilliant videos. I love the older French stuff!
frank says:

Feb 15 2012 at 7:35 pm

@Oli
You get to pick which character you are.
minion says:

Feb 15 2012 at 7:42 pm

(David Attenborough voice, crouching behind a bush) "And here we have the two species, the greater Olisalwaysrightus, eyeballing its North American cousin, Olisalwayswrongus, also known as the lumpy headed Fronk. As is usual in displays of dominance like the one we're seeing here, these two specimens will charge at each other, butting heads to assert themselves and show their superior ability to any females in the herd, until one of them backs down. Despite the tremendous forces these two generate, the construction of their necks and incredibly thick skulls, save them from doing any permanent damage to one another, though as usual the younger upstart isn't quite able to gain a distinct advantage over his more experienced opponent."
Louutah says:

Feb 15 2012 at 7:48 pm

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
Ron says:

Feb 15 2012 at 8:01 pm

Opening photo - nice hair!

Pheasant & chesnuts...and champagne. Oh, and a woman. What a pre-race routine!
mouse says:

Feb 15 2012 at 8:37 pm

@Calmante

@Oli
I don't know how else to put it; I think I have a bit of a man-crush on you, Oli. Seriously, you are the real deal, regardless of how little you think of me!

Careful @Oli.
Strong words from an omniscient rabble rouser who has a proclivity for "losing" things...
@Calmante "...now where did I pit that gerbil / pedal spanner / frame pump..."
scaler911 says:

Feb 15 2012 at 8:51 pm

@frank

@Oli
You get to pick which character you are.

HA!, Ha ha haha! You're killing me.
scaler911 says:

Feb 15 2012 at 8:55 pm

@minion

(David Attenborough voice, crouching behind a bush) "And here we have the two species, the greater Olisalwaysrightus, eyeballing its North American cousin, Olisalwayswrongus, also known as the lumpy headed Fronk. As is usual in displays of dominance like the one we're seeing here, these two specimens will charge at each other, butting heads to assert themselves and show their superior ability to any females in the herd, until one of them backs down. Despite the tremendous forces these two generate, the construction of their necks and incredibly thick skulls, save them from doing any permanent damage to one another, though as usual the younger upstart isn't quite able to gain a distinct advantage over his more experienced opponent."

Something that I think is appropriate to share with you (and other "down other folk) now (this ones for you FrÃ¤nk!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oWe0Y7YT34