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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Life is good!
I've been reading "Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike" from William Fotheringham since I picked it up last week. Goddamn, the photos on the front and back are incredible as well, though this lead photo is beautiful too. I've been skipping around the book so far.
From where I sit, Merckx is not a man but a machine. Over 500 victories, he made it look easy, right?
What I can't believe is how much self-doubt fueled him, how much he was driven to show himself over and over and over. It wasn't easy, and he didn't simply assume he would win. That has been a true revelation for me and nothing short of inspirational.
I've been fucking about with a dissertation for far too long. The single biggest reason is that the project seems so big and insurmountable that silly ol' me hasn't a chance in hell of finishing it. I doubt I have what it takes, all those others who've written the books on the subject are surely so much better than me.
Reading that Merckx doubted himself, or allowed that fear of failure to fuel him has been eye-opening and really given me a great push to just get going and work at it, to not fear the doubt but simply let it push me forward. The Prophet, inspiring my academic pursuits, as well as my cycling pursuits. Amazing!
Time to stamp on the pedals, er, pages...
@Cyclops Livin' the dream.
@Marcus
the only upside ,is at least they don't eat you...
A cool drizzle welcomed the riders for the start of the Lake Louise Road Race. The original 81km route along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway had to be shortened to 64km due to a family of bears and wolves that had moved into the area. This was a similar occurrence to what happened two years ago.
The 9:30am neutral roll-out saw our Cat 1/2 Men's leader, Evan Bayer (Team Niklaus), don the yellow jer...sey and ride the 2km to the start with the group. Once at the start, the 2-way radio signaled that there was a grizzly bear on the course and that we had to hold the race. This was a déjà vu from last year's race, where eight bears near the course kept the wildlife spotters and race caravans on constant alert. lol.
I have reason to celebrate because I humbly share the Holy Day of Our Prophets birthday with mine own. For this day of reverence, in solemn solitude and silence, I pedaled 168km, (a distance PR) and shaved 54 minutes (time PR) off of last years Festum Prophetae celebration/flagellation.(I mark the anniversary each year since last year with a solo Century, and will continue until I need a trike or recumbent, which hopefully never comes..) Not too shabby for a fat guy who's another year older and many,many months from peaking. Happy Merckx Day to all and to all a Good Ride! Chapeau!
@brian
You sure about that?
@Marcus Australians grossly overplay the dropbear epidemic. All that needs to be done is to rub a handful of vegemite behind each ear for protection.
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Drop-Bear
@JACD214
Ah! A fellow Michigander. Were you out at N24HC this year? I was thoroughly enjoying the downpour until lightning started striking around the course, at which point I was happy they called a suspension.