Wishful Shopping - Rene Herse Randonneuse

While I don't need another bicycle I've been air shopping for Alex Singers and Rene Herse randonnee frames via ebay. Here's a beautiful 1975 randonneuring bike from the Rene Herse workshop.  If you're a pure road cyclist and you've never seen a Rene Herse, check out all the bike's unique, rando specific features: custom front rack, integrated lighting system, polished mafac racer brakes, full metal fenders, maxicar hubs, etc.  In the event of a zombie apocalypse, a Rene Herse randonnee would make the perfect getaway rig. 

 

  

If you're interested in reading a history of the Rene Herse workshop, check out this handsome new tome by Compass Press.

Shopping from ebay - Jack Taylor Tourist

I've admired handbuilt, all steel, Jack Taylor bicycles for years. Fellow Oregon Randonneur Joel Metz rides a stunning yellow JT and friend Jack Fortune owns the prettiest bicycle in my flickr photostream. If you live in the UK, here's a chance to bid on your own Jack Taylor - a handsome, fully outfitted touring machine from 1968.

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.

Archival Report: Paris Brest Paris 2011

PBP spectators in Villaines, France

I just got back from the 17th edition of Paris Brest Paris, an ultra distance cycling event held every four years in France. I always say that I record and erase my memory of rides longer than 600k. I can confirm via official records that I successfully covered the 1200k course in a time of 86 hours and 55 minutes. My primary setback was a series of intense drowsy spells that left me convinced that I was pedaling in my sleep, but overall I felt strong.

First night. 1200k to go

Scenic views and slumbering cyclists

During PBP, I did my best take photos of my practiced obsessions: people, bicycles and food. Snaps of the scenic countryside are in short supply. For interested parties, here is visual evidence of my participation in Paris Brest Paris with some fragmentary notations

Maya. Organized first randonneuring events in Japan

Amused Breton bystander

Rando Buddha

Audax England rider (designed the club's jersey)

Photogenic Bryan on his Box Dog Bikes Pelican (SF Rando pal and AC stockist, Gabe, offscreen)

NC rider on one of the last Coho rando bikes

Duane Wright on his Peugeot fixie

Susan sporting a signature cycling dress at the famous PBP crepe control

Snappy French (?) gent riding a Gilles Berthoud

Riding buddy Jeff on his lovely Boxer Bicycles custom

Swedish pal, Jan-Olov, on his Velo Orange Pass Hunter

PBP Ancien Willi Nevin on his Vanilla custom

Kitty Goursolle, ultradistance cycling legend. We finished the Cascade 1200 together.

Jeff "I'm having the time of my life" Tilden

Bill, Oregon rando pal, at the ride start

Charismatic control worker

Food is one of the great motivators in cycling. On PBP, you can forage from Boulangeries on the course for your primary fuel (for me, pain au chocolat and jambon sandwiches). Jeff's strawberry tart was a visual highlight of one boulangerie which we liked as much for the free coffee. Fatigue and the need for forward movement often drove us to save time by eating at the official PBP controls. My photos reflect the matter of fact nature of this food.

Start

Halfway

One control from the finish

Jeff's brevet card (so much suffering to go)

Sample view. Vanilla at rest.

Full PBP 2011 flickr set here.