Best of
Bicycles

2002

Put Me Back on My Bike: In Search of Tom Simpson


William Fotheringham - 2002
    He died a tragic early death on the barren moonscape of the Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour. Almost 35 years on, hundreds of fans still make the pilgrimage to the windswept memorial which marks the spot where he died. A man of contradictions, Simpson was one of the first cyclists to admit to using banned drugs, and was accused of fixing races, yet the dapper "Major Tom" inspired awe and affection for the obsessive will to win which was ultimately to cost him his life. Put me Back on my Bike revisits the places and people associated with Simpson to produce the definitive story of Britain's greatest ever cyclist.

Tandem Bicycling America: Border to Border


Paul Wittreich - 2002
    The seat belts couldn't be fastened because there aren't any. The only proper precaution is to look out for cars, and have bike helmets on. The country is out there for you to see. But you have to slow down from 70 mph to 10 to 15 mph if you want to see it all. That is, if you want to smell the flowers plus the pig manure scent wafting through the air. America is out there, it is just a case of knowing how to find it. I think we have found it.