Life On Four Wheels

Les Grimpeurs...

Patro Jiménez (center), Lucien Van Impe (left) & Beat Breu (right).

via Tour 83

After reading the excellent post by Cycling Inquistion, it left me a little surprised that some Colombian ex-Pros are driving taxis in Bogotá.

Two Colombian riders that I always admired for their panache in the Tour are Patrocinio Jimenez and Pablo Wilches. Both are driving cabs and reportedly happy making an honest living but wouldn't it be something to find out after stepping into their cabs! 

Pablo Wilches making his

Pro debut, 1984 Tour.

via Tour 84

They were certainly two former Colombian cycling giants of the mountains. Patrocinio 'Patro' Jimenez had very solid palmares winning; 1976 Coors Classic, 1976-77 Vuelta a Guatemala, 1976 Vuelta a Colombia and 1976 Clasico RCN. But I first noticed the 31 year old in the 1983 Tour, of course, flying in the mountains. He wore the polka dots jersey for five days, finished second in the KOMs Classification and 17th overall. Like his compatriots, he or they were a climbing force taking a solid hold on the European cycling landscape.

Pablo Wilches' professional debut was the 1984 Tour riding for the Belgium Splendor team. In 1985, he was part of the successful Cafe de Colombia team then winning the 1987 Vuelta a Colombia. I discovered, at the age of 50, he competed as a Senior Master in the Vuelta a Colombia.

The images are from my archives of two great Colombian riders of the eighties making their Tour debuts but if you find yourself taking a cab in Bogotá, look again it could be either... the great Patro Jimenez or Pablo Wilches behind the wheel!

Pablo Wilches...

Patro Jimenez, today!

via revistasolociclismo

Azzuri Blue

Italy's Alice Maria Arzuffi

(via Riccardo Scanferia)

With the World CX Championships over, one of the flashier team kits, this year, are the Italians. The azzuri blue is the tifosi's favorite and mine.

The Gypsy at the Giro d'Italia

Roger DeVlaeminck was one of the most talented classic riders in history. Skilled in cyclocross, he expertly maneuvered over the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to win it a record four times. Hence his nickname,   Monsieur Paris-Roubaix. He is one of only three riders to have won the five Monuments of Cycling. He shares this amazing record with two fellow Belgians Eddy Merckx and Rik Van Looy.

One of my favorite blogs, Jasons' Velorunner, posted fantastic images from the book, Roger De Vlaeminck by Kennedy Brothers Publishing, UK. It reminded me of my collection (1983-1989) of Tour books by the same publisher that I want to share.

Below are the only two images from the book, Tour 1984 (The Stories of the Tour of Italy & Tour de France) of The Gypsy. He was well known as a champion classics rider but he didn't do to bad in the Giro winning an astounding 22 stages (between 1972 & 1979) and 3 points classification titles. This was his last dig at the Giro supporting Francesco Moser before abandoning.

The Gypsy over the guard rail...

...De Vlaeminck (in front) waiting for Moser (far left) in the TTT.

Uphill Battle?

The Schleck's are wanting it all downhill

this year!

Hans sent me this link of the Schleck brothers starring in the the new movie, "The Road Uphill". 

I can't wait to see this... so for now, enjoy the trailer!

Chocolate Milk Envy

Drink your drink!

I'm reading quite a few articles online that chocolate milk (low fat) is a popular and proven recovery drink beating out the lights of some sports drinks.

The humble, affordable and tasty chocolate milk found in most convenience stores has plenty of research in favor of this idea. Here's an article from The Telegraph.

I'm not much of a sports drinker. I know there are benefits from it. But it's worth while to investigate further of the humble chocolate milk.

Studies suggest chocolate milk naturally has protein and carbohydrates that helps build lean muscle and provides fluids for rehydration and minerals like potassium, magnesium and sodium key electrolytes that are loss in sweat.

Importantly, consuming it within 30 minutes of finishing the workout. This is key. The longer you wait the more you diminish the effect of the supplement.

In fact, I bought this carton of 2% chocolate milk (image) yesterday to test it out. It tastes great just like I remember it as a kid. I've stopped drinking milk since my early twenties and just come back to it due to all the positive articles.

I plan to give it a test, right after a hard ride and look forward to embrace the health and low cost benefits from good ole chocolate milk!

The Flea of the Mountains

Tureba, the Flea, (left) bounding up the mountains.

1933 Tour.

At the 1933 Tour, Henri Desgrange introduce a category and prize that recognized those crafty riders that love the heroics of the mountains... the grand prix de la montagne.

Riders of slight build that excelled when the road heaves upwards need only apply.

Ever since 1905, big climbs has been part of the Tour as the riders were subjected to the Ballon d'Alsace for the first time. Afterwards, the spectacle simply went higher; the Chartreuse mountains (1907), the Pyrenees (1910), the Alps (1911). In the 1930s, Desgrange changed the format from trade teams to national teams thus helping to lure out top Spanish riders.

Vicente Trueba, riding as an independent touriste-routier, was adept at bounding up mountain cols like a flea. He did not win a stage but was first over the challenging Cols d'Aspin, Aubisque, Peyresourde, Tourmalet, the Vars, Ballon d'Alsace and the Col du Galibier.

I like his nickname, "The Torrelavega Flea", known to ride away from his adversaries as if he had an electric motor as legs. He was short and compact around 100 pounds riding a 18 inch frame. Back then, riders didn't use derailleurs. They used a double sided hub and had to stop to remove the rear wheel, turn it around for the desired ratio and put back the wheel. A time consuming, stressful way to race especially over unpaved roads, at times in atrocious weather during long exhausting stages.

Courtesy Willem Dingemanse

cyclingarchives.com

Trueba wasn't a good descender but managed to finish sixth overall and was the first winner of the grand prix de la montagne in 1933.

Too bad, he didn't wear the flashy polka dot jersey, as it wasn't introduced until 1975. It was sponsored by the chocolate manufacturer, Poulain. The Flea, bounding up the cols, would've looked even more flashier!

I wish he had the polk dots!

It's All About The Bike

If you haven't read, "It's All About The Bike", by Englishman and intrepid world avid cyclist, Robert Penn... please do.

Inspirational, captivating and just plain I envy this man for having the chance to go to many of cycling's major manufacturers to build his dream machine. It's all worth reading. Really, after reading it, I'm still smiling after his exciting journey to build his dream bicycle. 

In a way, I've gone through a mini-journey, myself, with my Marinoni restoration. A few bumps, here and there, nothing that we can't deal with, to restore my 25 year old two wheel friend. 

And, that's where I (let's include all of us cyclists) have a common bond with Mr. Penn that the journey on two wheels .... is by far the most interesting way to reach the end!