Individual Who Consumed Adversaries in Bizarre Series of Events
Rolling up to the Mansions of a Cycling Legend
Come June 17th, the world will celebrate the grand old age of 80 for Eddy Merckx, the undisputed king of cycling. A authors embarked on a voyage, visiting the Belgian icon twice - in the year of 2019 and the blooming spring of this year, all in the name of his book about the Tour de France titled "No Mountain Too High, No Distance Too Far". Here we present an edited excerpt from this fascinating book.
A staircase takes us closer, at the pinnacle, there stands Eddy Merckx, waving a friendly hello. His abode, nestled in Meise, north of Brussels, stretches far and wide. "This used to be a horse farm," recalls Merckx, the most coveted cyclist of history. Four expansive structures, reminiscent of a rectangular fortress, guard a lush green lawn at the heart. On the opposite side of the apartment lies the bicycle factory, conjured in 1980, whose frames bore his name, until the cycling legend sold the majority of the company's shares in 2008 [1].
Merckx Cycles, as it was called, earned a reputation for manufacturing top-tier racing bikes that were favored by professional teams throughout the 1980s and 1990s [1]. Despite financial hurdles such as a brush with bankruptcy and tax complications, the brand's name shone bright, continuing to innovate in the realm of bicycle design [1]. Merckx, himself, stepped down as CEO in 2008, but he stayed engaged in the process by testing bikes and offering valuable insights into new models [1]. As of January 2015, Eddy Merckx Cycles was still based in Belgium, finding distribution in over twenty-five countries [2]. However, recent updates regarding the factory’s present standing (whether it still operates in Meise or if it has shifted or ceased since 2015) are scarce in the available sources [2].
This sprawling estate of Eddy Merckx is filled with memories, memorabilia, and witnesses the daily life of this cycling great [2]. Despite being a legend, he continuously remains open to sharing his journey, inspiring a new generation of cyclists and enthusiasts [2]. So, as we await Eddy Merckx’s 80th birthday, remember, "one must never stop cycling, whether in body or spirit"[2], echoing Merckx's timeless wisdom.
Eddy Merckx's bicycle factory, renowned for producing top-tier racing bikes, was established in 1980 and continued to innovate in bicycle design despite financial hurdles.
Eddy Merckx, despite his retired position as CEO in 2008, remains engaged in the cycling world, testing bikes and offering valuable insights into new models.
