Today’s stage of the Giro finished on a steep dirt road. But when we talk about dirt roads – even the ones in of the Strade Bianchi – we are still generally talking about well-maintained roads. Leafing through CycleSport this morning after the stage, I noticed this shot of the Croix de Fer.
Before jumping instinctively to your inevitable conclusion, have a look at the full-size shot. We’ve got it all: 16 kilo bikes, riders with tires tied round their shoulders, big rings, loose chains, primitive derailleurs, and thick, sloppy mud. It looks like the road was cleared the day prior by a bulldozer with a bent blade and one track.
I rode the Croix for the first time in the late eighties; they’d just rerouted the road to roll along a reservoir about halfway up (coming from the Bourg d’Oisan side) and even with beautiful fresh pavement, I arrived at the top a few centimeters shorter.
This photo makes me die a little bit.
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Luison Bobet and Gino Bartali!
Just a great photo frank. Makes me feel kinda insignificant.
Looks like Bartali's bike doesn't even have a "primitive derailleur"!
I wonder if ever we can claim a current rider to be a "hard man" when you see what the races used to be. We are all so coddled and well-lubed. Perhaps modern riders simply suffer faster? Of course, you can only race as hard as the current conditions will allow. If the climbs are paved? Well you ride on pavement. The topic requires further meditation.
That's what inspires me! Nobody ever told these guys to HTFU!
@brett
Sharp eye, Brett! Is that a fender on Bobet's front fork? I bet he had his bidons on his bars in those empty cages, but moved them into his jersey so he could climb. He probably taught Anquetil that trick.
I also note with satisfaction that there are no shirtless dudes, no one wearing a the slingshot, and no one in sumo wrestler suits along the roadside. Aside from the mud, that photo is refreshing on several levels.
@Collin
It does require further meditation. I think on some levels there were many more hardships for the riders than there are today. But they also didn't have the pressure they have now.
They are better trained, better "prepared", better supported. But suffering is suffering. Riding at your limit is riding at your limit. But they used to suffer for longer, and that's a difficult thing. Hm. More mediation required, indeed.
Bartali's running a Vittoria Margherita derailleur system.
I don't know, yesterday's stage looked like a lot of suffering for a long long time. That was a lot of climbing.
I think my balls shrunk a little bit watching Anton while he channeled testosterone from anywhere he could get it on those last 3k.
@frank
Pressure?? The only pressure I feel is getting all of my "yard work" chores done in time so I can go riding when the weather is nice. Too often that means getting the weed eating and grass mowed while the sun is shining, and then going off to ride with the thunderstorm looming on the horizon. Of course I have a day job so when I do race its for a pair of socks or something.