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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@Nate
i hope your local cyclists are well-oiled. The sound of jaws dropping will break the Silence Principle. Beautiful.
In a complete absence of Rule #5 (although an homage to the prophet in a way) I've spent his birthday weekend staring whistfully at the bike while couchbound thanks to a rather spectacular bout of back & neck spasms last week.
In other potentially blasphemous news I'm going out on a limb & saying I reckon I actually prefer the Faema clad prophet to the Molteni one...
@asyax while there's no doubt some Rule #5 on display in those pictures I see we've not been able to shame you in to the main aspect of Rule #33 compliance yet...
@Mikael Liddy Winter! - I thought I would be able to cover the wookie legs up with tights. Oh, the shame!
Merckz is obviously all knowing and sees through such a cheap trick!
I fronted up for a race to do my part for the celebrations, my second time in A grade, hoping for a good ride. The previous week I had hit a Kangaroo whilst coming down Mt Lofty at night and went over the bars at 50km/hr, ouch. My back and shoulders were pretty sore but guns felt ok so figured with a bit of Rule V I should be ok. Anyway got spat out on the first major climb and had a lovely training ride in the crisp winter air. You don't need to be far off peaking to get put to the sword in A grade that's for sure.
@asyax see I rarely go as far as full tights as knee warmers & booties tend to be sufficient here, plus shaved legs & lined suit pants is a combination that delivers some rather fine sensations.
@Daccordi Rider
Ouch, I know of someone who broke both arms, many ribs & shattered his sternum after being on the wrong end of that type of collision. Sounds like you came away reasonably unscathed.
First Road Ride in almost two weeks, wasn't very long or fast but it felt great to be back in the saddle again.
@asyax
Wool DeFeet socks at least...always appropriate.
@Mikael Liddy I was really lucky. Trashed a helmet and knicks, scratches on pedal, RD and shifter. The bike's fall seems to have been cushioned by the roo and amazingly the wheel is true, got to love alloys! Bit of bark off and very sore but nothing broken. The ride back over Mt Osmond to get home was pretty slow and painful. Seen a few facebooks of you and mini me, looks like you are getting along fine. How long till the seat goes on the back of the bike and I see the two of you out doing hill repeats?