Tour de France and fixed gears
 

Looking for recommendations on books about the early days of the Tour de France: History, tales, equipment from the days when they rode fixed gears and were self supported. Not really interested in the modern day stuff, but won't object if it's in there as long as the early days are covered.

Any suggestions?

I was just at the library and scored two new 100 year anniversary books. Lot's of pictures but not much info. One of them has an intro by Greg Lemond.

I think the name of the one I liked best is "The Illustrated History..."

I love looking at the old fixed and single speedsters.

Those guys were ANIMALS!!!

40lb fixed gear bikes going up the same steep, long-ass hills...insane. insane and oh so much more admirable than today's athletes.

plus you rarely see today's riders 'opening up the lungs' like they used to...

http://www.branfordbike.com/videos/vi6biga.html

Or carrying all of their gear.

I think the TDF should be run that way today: fixed gear and self-supported

Though I'm not a fan of saying this:


Hell YA!

I think for the 101st Tour, it should be retro.

You only get one bike (fixed or single speed), you have to end the race with all of the equipment you started with, no outside help with repairs and National teams (keep out the corporate sponsers).

it'll be a cold day in hell....