Bicycle Quarterly on the Cyclotourist Poly Chanteloup Race History
11-06-13, 12:05 PM
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Bicycle Quarterly on the Cyclotourist Poly Chanteloup Race History
Anyone else read the in-depth history of the Poly de Chanteloup race in the most recent Bicycle Quarterly? I never really got the whole VO/BQ obsession with Hearse/Singer cyclotourist bikes with fenders, rando bars, etc, but it now all seems to make sense. There's also some great stuff about early derailleur technologies - with some fascinating dead-ends - that were developed to deal with all the hill climbing.
"The Poly de Chanteloup started as a test of gear changers, to determine which system worked best on a very hilly course. In later years, it became one of the most important professional races and randonneur events in France, as well as a great festival of cycling."
"The Poly de Chanteloup started as a test of gear changers, to determine which system worked best on a very hilly course. In later years, it became one of the most important professional races and randonneur events in France, as well as a great festival of cycling."
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11-06-13, 12:22 PM
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Yup, I read and enjoyed that article in BQ. Fascinating view into cycling in France during that time in history.
I don't fully embrace the BQ bike design preference, but I'm not a randonneur, either. I DO appreciate BQ's test and evaluation approach and results very much. And the magazine is always a good read, cover-to-cover. I think the not-racing bike community has received many benefits thanks to both Jan and Grant/Rivendell, even if both represent somewhat extreme perspectives.
I don't fully embrace the BQ bike design preference, but I'm not a randonneur, either. I DO appreciate BQ's test and evaluation approach and results very much. And the magazine is always a good read, cover-to-cover. I think the not-racing bike community has received many benefits thanks to both Jan and Grant/Rivendell, even if both represent somewhat extreme perspectives.
11-06-13, 12:30 PM
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I thought the article could have gone a bit more into how this type of race influenced the technology used in other classic and stage races - PBP, Paris Roubaix, TDF, etc. Road racers entered the Poly, then some presumably tried out their derailleurs in other races.
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