Road Racing Pictures •

[ChromeChainstay]

... and now something completely different. bet they were cyclist to boot '

 

[Old Ned]

Great pics, I have some questions. When did crash hats become compulsory in the UK? Also how long were road races then? Did you ever race against the pros or was it separated totally? Was there prize money? If so how much? Were you allowed to use the whole width of the road or did you have to keep to the left hand side. I'm of 80s/90s vintage, Ireland. We got a good few UK lads over for 3 day stage races and they were always highly delighted that we were able to use the whole width of the road. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the comments. I'll try and answer some of your questions -

Crash Hats compulsory - Can't remember! Leather ones were always (in my memory anyway) compulsory on the track but no idea when they became a requirement on the road. I'd stopped RR'ing by then.

How long - Any distance basically for Seniors. Juniors restricted to 50 miles BITD. Evening events generally around 30 - 35 miles. On a Sunday up to (and over) 100 miles.

With pros. - Not in my day. We had a class of semi-pros called 'Independents' ('hors category' in France) who generally rode for small(ish) teams sponsored by shops although one or two bigger concerns also ran teams (eg Condor, Carlton). Indes could ride with 1st Cat riders so way above my standard. They all had to revert to amateur or turn pro when the UCI decided to tidy it all up around '65/66.

Prize money - not officially! In later years when the distinctions between categories became a bit 'blurred' then actual money was given. Earlier the prize winner had to buy something (or get a receipt - not always the same thing!) which was refunded by the race organiser. Rather a long winded system TBH. Value would depend on the event, if sponsored etc. Nothing fixed at all. Indes could win money but not amateurs.

Keep to the left - Definitely. Many a rider was disqualified for crossing a white line and many a race was stopped because to many riders were doing it - especially in strong side winds. In theory a dotted white line was OK but it depended on the race commissaire and how bloody minded he was!

When I rode the Mannin Veg race in the Isle of Man in '67 it was VERY strange for the first few miles to be able to use all the road - especially with up to 200 riders in the bunch. Normal events were limited to 40 riders with 10 reserves on the start sheet.

Hope these answers are OK. Other people may be able to add to them.

 

[Old Ned]

View attachment 816711

... and now something completely different. bet they were cyclist to boot '

A game played by men with odd shaped balls.

 

[dorset boy]

Thanks for the comments. I'll try and answer some of your questions -

Crash Hats compulsory - Can't remember! Leather ones were always (in my memory anyway) compulsory on the track but no idea when they became a requirement on the road. I'd stopped RR'ing by then.

How long - Any distance basically for Seniors. Juniors restricted to 50 miles BITD. Evening events generally around 30 - 35 miles. On a Sunday up to (and over) 100 miles.

With pros. - Not in my day. We had a class of semi-pros called 'Independents' ('hors category' in France) who generally rode for small(ish) teams sponsored by shops although one or two bigger concerns also ran teams (eg Condor, Carlton). Indes could ride with 1st Cat riders so way above my standard. They all had to revert to amateur or turn pro when the UCI decided to tidy it all up around '65/66.

Prize money - not officially! In later years when the distinctions between categories became a bit 'blurred' then actual money was given. Earlier the prize winner had to buy something (or get a receipt - not always the same thing!) which was refunded by the race organiser. Rather a long winded system TBH. Value would depend on the event, if sponsored etc. Nothing fixed at all. Indes could win money but not amateurs.

Keep to the left - Definitely. Many a rider was disqualified for crossing a white line and many a race was stopped because to many riders were doing it - especially in strong side winds. In theory a dotted white line was OK but it depended on the race commissaire and how bloody minded he was!

When I rode the Mannin Veg race in the Isle of Man in '67 it was VERY strange for the first few miles to be able to use all the road - especially with up to 200 riders in the bunch. Normal events were limited to 40 riders with 10 reserves on the start sheet.

Hope these answers are OK. Other people may be able to add to them.

Threats of being thrown off the race if you crossed the white line ! But you had to do it to move up the bunch

 

[jim haseltine]

Crash hats? Sometime in the 1970s I think. They certainly were compulsory when I first dipped my toe in road racing in the late 70s.

 

[ChromeChainstay]

 

[dorset boy]

Nairo Quintana's bike.

 

[trailstar82]

View attachment 812739

I remember a line from this article, “after 5 minutes the engine started smoking”

 

[dorset boy]

More Eddy

 

[non-fixie]

Frans Verbeeck chasing Eddy Merckx during Gent-Wevelgem 1973:



Frans Verbeeck not beating Eddy Merckx in Wevelgem 1973: