Sunday, May 06, 2012

From the archives - Nancy Neiman

Thanks to flickr contact Paris-Roubaix for posting these photos of Nancy Neiman, the U.S. National Cycling Champion in 1953, 1954, 1956 and 1957. Neiman was the first American woman to ride a stage race in Europe. I don't follow contemporary cycling because the athletic garb and bikes are so alien to me. I much prefer the era of amateur cycling in the 1950s documented in these photographs. I love how Neiman looks like an everyday person (the girl next door!) and her steel track bike resembles something I would ride today.
Here's a 1957 photograph of Nancy in her U.S. National Champion's jersey. She's riding a French Rochet Special bike fitted with a Stronglight cottered steel chainset and Lyotard Marcel Berthet pista platform pedals.



2 comments:

OSMIUM said...

Great archival photos. Don't let modern cycling apparel and techno bikes put you off. There is compelling cycling culture in many forms. For example -
http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/

cork grips said...

Surely she was not an amateur if she was a national champion? Regardless, I think she is amazing.