mapeiboy

Few months ago someone post link to a video about this male french cyclist ( in his 70s ) riding his bike all over europe . Does anyone still has the link to the video . Thanks

jtaylor2

This one? https://vimeo.com/groups/wereldfietser/videos/58201809

Jim

mapeiboy

This is the one . Thank you so much for the link .

Dudelsack 

Il est un peu fou, n'il est pas?

badger1

Arguably he was mad as a hatter! However, as I said on another thread ...

He (Patrick Plaine) most certainly was ... Cranky, prejudiced, eccentric, what you will ... but when I think of a 'cycling hero' -- an image to aspire to -- he (PP) is what comes to my mind: "Sa vie c'était le vélo" (1,700,000 kms accrued).
Sadly, he died not long after this film was made (encounter with a farm vehicle while cycling). Obit. notice here:
https://tignon.andre.free.fr/report.php?id=1480
Fun Fact: Plaine rode PBP in 1971, finished it, then did it again (w/Paris Randonneurs) starting the Monday, finishing first of that group in 55:18. 2400kms Thursday-Thursday.

Dudelsack 

I did not realize he had passed away. Looking at the google translation of your link. He was quite a character, to say the least.

mapeiboy

RIP , Patrick . You are my hero

badger1

Indeed!
I was noodling around with 'Royals' contemplating another response to the verse thread over on the 41; somehow, there is a cross-over to this subject, so here it is (abject apologies to Lorde!).

I’ve never seen a Cervelo in the flesh,
I cut my teeth on mtbs … in the ‘Shore films
And I’m not proud of my souplesse,
On a banged-up bike, no Rapha envy

But every song’s like Tarmac, Venge, trippin’ on the trainer,
Assos, shaved legs, dope in the hotel room,
We don’t care, we’re riding Surlys in our dreams.
But everybody’s like Garmin, Strava, meters in your crankset,
Carbon, aero, wattage that you output,
We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair.

And we’ll never meet the Rules (rules)
It don’t run in our blood,
That kind of luxe just ain’t for us,
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your rouleur (rouleur)
You can call me randonneur
And baby I’ll roule, I’ll roule, I’ll roule, I’ll roule.
Let me live that fantasy.

Timtruro

I just watched the video, intriguing guy, independent, humble and strong. I think we could all learn from him, he may be far from perfect but certainly an inspiration.