The first Tour de France in 1903 was quite a wild ride. The 60 cyclists threw down tacks to flatten the tires of their opponents, carried an assortment weapons for self defense and self offense, fought one another with flying fists and their weapons, several hopped on trains for parts of the super-long stages, and … Continue reading The First Tour de France (1903) Was Chock Full of Fighting, Cheating, Super-Long Rides and Victory By the Little Chimney Sweep
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That Time I Covered the Tour de France, Interviewed Davis Phinney and Watched the 7-11 Boys Eat
It's was 1988, and I was in Nice. The sports editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer finally decided, after weeks of hemming and hawing, that he wanted me to cover a few days of the Tour de France. Starting in Bordeaux. Where the day's race would end. Editors! I don't think he understood Nice and Bordeaux where … Continue reading That Time I Covered the Tour de France, Interviewed Davis Phinney and Watched the 7-11 Boys Eat
Do You Know the Story of Paul de Vivie (1853 – 1930), the Inventor of Cyclotourisme?
Sometimes fate – and a Michelin map - lead you and your bike exactly where you were meant to be. In this case, it was the outskirts of Pernes-les-Fontaines in Provence, where I saw this statue … “Wow, this guy must really like cycling,” I thought, as I stopped and took a couple photos. It … Continue reading Do You Know the Story of Paul de Vivie (1853 – 1930), the Inventor of Cyclotourisme?
My First Mont Ventoux Attempt (1995)
“It is like the moon,” Remy said of the top of the nearby Mont Ventoux, which he and his wife, Evelyn, had visited earlier in the day. In their car. It was July 29, 1995 (25 years ago! how is this possible) and we were in the little hilltop village of Seguret in Provence. And, … Continue reading My First Mont Ventoux Attempt (1995)
The Great Guepe Attack of Maussane
Maussane: At first, it felt like a tickle. On my left eye. And then, like a bolt of lightning was shooting through my eyeball and straight into my brain. Followed by another bolt of lightning. And another. “What the hell?” I swiped at my sunglasses, knocking them off my face and onto the side of … Continue reading The Great Guepe Attack of Maussane
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