Flandria bikes Zedelgem homecoming

Flandria Night at De Fietsenmaker in Zedelgem: Marcel Ongenae, Michel Pollentier, Walter Godefroot,
Flandria Bikes Adam Longworth, De Fietsenmaker's Bram Misseeuw, Daniël Verplancke, Dirk Ongenae .
(Nico DeVos Photo, Het Nieuwsblad) 
Our good friend, fellow cafesupporter, and world's #1 Flandria fan Adam Longworth - the man behind the resurrection of Flandria Bikes - sent us news of last week's relaunch of his sweet 2011 range back in Zedelgem - the former home of the Flandria factory.

Check out the article, and photos in Het Nieuwsblad here.

The well attended event was held at the Zedelgem Flandria dealer De Fietsenmaker.  Former Flandria stars Walter Godefroot, Michel Pollentier, Daniel Verplancke and Marcel Ongenae were on hand for this press event to share stories and celebrate all things Flandria, old and new.

Photo: Flandria Bikes, Adam Longworth
In addition to the new Flandria carbon frames (check em out here), a few retro rigs were brought out as well.

This red bike at left with the bar-end shifters is Rik Van Looy's Paris Roubaix winning bike, from 1962.  He likely also used it to win the Ronde and Gent-Wevelgem as well that spring, as he pulled of an imperial sweep of the cobbled spring classics befitting the 'Emperor'.

Note the height of the bars and low saddle, evidenced in the photo of Rik in action.  Quite a contrast to today's aero positions. Didn't stop Rik from motoring along at 30mph though.  I swear, if you gave this bike to any Cat 4 today, he'd probably refuse to race on it.   Food for thought.

It makes me feel a little ancient to realize I once upon a time raced a bike very similar that one, with Universal brakes, bar end shifters, and screw on cable guides for the top tube.

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 13, 2014 at 2:03 AM

    Hello,
    I collect and renovate old 'flandrias' and I'm wondering maybe you know where I can get set of stickers? I have Freddy Maertens from 1976.

    ReplyDelete

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