I tried watching the 2016 Tour de France but lost interest after the first week. I miss the panache and personal style of cyclists from the past. Now, I can barely distinguish one game piece from the next (logos, lego shaped helmets and mirrored shades drown out the personalities of the individual riders. I much …
Tag: tour de france
Archival Tour de France
I dream of a sports channel that broadcasts sporting events from the past. While I’m aloof to the running of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, I’d love to watch 50 year old coverage of the race. While I cannot provide you with live footage of the 1963 tour, here is some print …
Shopping from 1938 – Unis Sport Catalog
PDX messenger and Jack Taylor enthusiast, Joel Metz, forwarded along this amazing french catalog for Unis-Sport, an early sponsor of the Tour de France. I’m reposting product highlights in case you’re in the market for a tailored ensemble for bike camping or cyclo-tourism. My own mail order form – post marked 1938 – will include …
Archival Tour de France
Once again I’m mining riders from the Nationaal Archief’s flickr photostream to stage my own Tour de France. Despite the passing of decades, the rider’s wool jerseys and steel bicycles make them look like a unified team. For 2012, I present my Archival tour: Jaap Kersten in Gramont (1961) Alphonse Schepers (1933) Jules Buysse (1926) …
Archival Miniatures
If you’re jaded by the modern Tour de France, stage your own race using these vintage TDF miniatures (via spokesniffer). No carbon fiber. No doping scandals. No helmets!
Vive Le Tour! (Malle 1962)
Archival Cyclists: Tour Edition
Now that Spring randonneuring season is over, I can relax and monitor the suffering of other cyclists. My favorite form of spectactorship is the Tour de France. I’ve been watching the tour on TV since ABC broadcast 1/2 hour weekly recaps on its Wide World of Sports. On Saturday, I’ll be up at 6.am. to …