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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@G'rilla
And the lethal sea life. Twelve rows of teeth and something that fuckin' stings you terribly (in the Words of the great Billy Connolly)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V4JYIOja10
@Pedale.Forchetta
Must be a fantastic view from up there!
I considered dressing myself in full V kit, lubing myself down in Dumonde Tech and giving Mrs Deakus "The Greeting" (unfortunately I am still shy a pair of V Bibs so I went out for a ride instead....she will have to wait for next year!)
I shall have to observe tomorrow with a full commute to work of 60km naturally doing my best to observe Rule #5. I have all day at work to recover after all before the return journey. Now when will my pre-ordered book arrive ? Birthday Thursday and it was the only thing on the list apart from new tubs.
I would like to honor a rightful heir to the Great One, someone who can inflict a ton of hurt with a solo breakaway. Last yea, here in Colorado, Herr Jens broke away climbing Independence Pass, a huge Cat 1 climb, then held on to ride to a solo victory 80 miles later.
Here are a couple of photos I took at the finish
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@Wag
Jensy also worked his magic this year on stage 5 of the Tour of California. The man is a legend and what is more he has a personality....love this quote
Asked what rider he'd tap to replace him, for once he was stumped, with no clever answer. Until this: "I think it would take maybe two persons. One to do the funny part, and one to be the bike rider."
http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/05/news/after-amgen-tour-win-voigt-says-it-will-take-two-riders-to-fill-his-spot_287162
He had also said early something to the effect that everyone knows his tactic and once he has 2 minutes he is never coming back so cannot understand why they still let him go...
Quality...a true disciple of the prophet!
@Marcus
Prolly #5. Behind a few of the "most venomous shit on the planet" critters you have there.
I celebrated over the weekend defending my title at a 24-hour road race. 685km in 21:15 of racing. We had about a three hour suspension due to a lightning storm, but I was riding in the sideways rain right up until lightning started hitting the water tower. Some fun Rule 9 conditions!
@Mikael Liddy
on further review he may well already be on the path to enlightenment (hat tip to Harminator for pointing out the similarity in the poses)
No riding for me yesterday, as it was the 1-year anniversary of my wedding date. Oh, which happens to fall on June 17th. Mistake? Nice coincidence. We were in the Grayson Highlands, highest peak in VA. I shall return with a bike sometime soon to ride up that sonofagun.
I have the Merckx book on my beside table, can't wait to continue reading it.
I'm thrilled to read all the reports on the rides everyone made happen. I missed having the time for a long ride, but I took a cruise to the local post-ride recovery drink store when we got home. Amazing how great it feels to just turn the cranks after a long, hard one-day layoff out of the saddle. How can one miss something so simple after such a short hiatus.
NATE! - no fucking way. That frameset is incredible. My Merckx.
Collin - goddamnit. I remember thinking this last year when you posted about that. 21 hours of riding? Nearly 700 kms in one ride? You fuckin' Cannibal!