This photo is perhaps the greatest of all time; it shows The Prophet riding in the 1969 Ronde van Vlaanderen, kit and machine perfect. Rule #9 conditions in abundance. He’s gone off the front with some 80km left to race, which predictably sent his directeur into a rage. Ordered to return to the bunch, Merckx calmly suggested he go screw himself. It would be a dishonor to sit up and wait for the bunch when there was still strength in his legs. He stayed away to the finish.
Long, kamikaze breakaways were his bread and butter. The idea that he might wait for the last climb or make a shrewd tactical move were completely foreign to him; whether in the leaders jersey or not, if his legs itched, he pushed on the pedals and left the bunch behind – no matter how far it was to the finish and how great his lead already was. That is class. That is panache That is an example for the conservative modern rider. Classy, stylish, obsessive, meticulous, and devastatingly tough. The Prophet was a unique animal, the perfect combination of what lies at the core of the Velominati and The V. We each endeavor to uphold the standard he laid down during his career and since.
The Keepers would like to join each of you today in celebrating Festum Prophetae, the birth of the greatest Cyclist and our Prophet, Eddy Merckx. It is customary for the Velominati honor this day in a manner befitting him, and we invite you all to share with us how you chose to.
Thanks go to each of you for being a part of this community and helping make this site a worthwhile place to visit and share in our collective love for Cycling. Cycling is much more than a sport; it is a lifestyle and a conduit for us to become better people. Without each of you helping in your way to share in the experience, this place has no meaning.
Vive la Vie Velominatus, and Merry Festum Prophetae, one and all. A-Merckx.
As a special gift on this most festive day, we present the newly anointed Rule #92:
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@Pedale.Forchetta
Gorgeous! Where is that?
On Sunday morning we did 100km in the rain at Horseshoe Valley. My brother rode his Merckx. We were blessed.
I rode the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay race, 238.8km solo in 6:57. Garmin fucked up, still seeing if I can save the ride data. Then Sunday we rode the Skagway summit. All in all, a great success despite some minor mechanical issues.
@TheVid
Nice.
(That was me last year, after two decades off the bike. Riding makes everything better, doesn't it?)
It is considered highly auspicious to have the frame builder ship out your frame on Festum Propetae.
@Nate
Wow that is a beauty.
We obviously teamed up with the right publisher - this arrived in the mail for us today.
Had a small showing for Festum Prophetae Perth (Western Australia - not Scotland or Washington) on Sunday - myself and Tinman. Cold crisp Perth morning. Headed out of the city to the hills - going well and enjoying the sunshine and zero wind - first big decent climb and I got bitten by a dog that got off its lead as we went past. Bite into my left calf - went back and chatted the lady, got address etc.. Anyway carried on - only one puncture (flesh) wound, but it got me pretty good - squirt of water bottle got rid of most of the blood.
Another 15km of hills and we decided to pull in for a coffee (and shed some layers) - chemist was open so though I might go and get a Betadine swab to clean it up - was a bit uneasy about what toxins/ bacteria/ nasties might be circulating through my body. Timnan waiting outside - pharmacist says Doctor is open next door - better go in and get them to have a look at it. OK then - well .....bigger than Ben Hur... thought I was going to be there for an hour. Asked nurse to go outside and let Tinman know what was going on - she came back in and said he suggested the doctor should give me an injection of Rule 5!
Tetanus shot, wound packed and bandaged, waited obligatory 10 mins and then off again. Cut some of the bigger climbs out as not sure how I was going to react, but headed back to city and onto the original route around the river.
105kms with 1200m climbing at a temp of about 6C - plus dog bite - not a bad way to celebrate the Prophet's birthday. Thanks to Tinman for showing up and his patience whilst I faffed about.
Got better - had a look at my watch - still had time to make the start of the first cyclocross race in WA for 2013 - go and have a look I thought. But also just enough time to drop home, grab my CX bike and give it a crack. Got there just in time for the scrubbers race - 30mins of sand, grass, tape and plywood jumps. First CX I had every done! Legs balked a little at the getting off and on after the mornings effort, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Caught up with fellow Velominatus, BenJ, who won the "support" grade. and had celebratory malted recovery beverage whilst we watched the Elites.
Slept well that night.
VLVV
@frank Thanks. Looking forward to getting a copy of the book in!
Happy Birthday Eddy! And Merry Festum Prophetae all.
Couldn't decide which Merckx to ride today, so it had to be both. Couple hours on the Pista this morning, couple more on the Corsa Extra after work (where I glued tubulars instead of actually working).
Moules-frites and Gulden Draak next.
Blissful day.
Fast Eddy, what a lord. Definitely in league with the devil. I rode the long way home from work as fast as possible. 40k, 750m. Now sat it the garden with a 12 pack of Dales Pale Ale. Not that I'll drink them all mind, but in this climate it pays to stay hydrated.