More "Cyclist" articles.

I thought I'd post a couple more of Ed Stiles' Tourlines from Cyclist Magazine. "The Bare Essentials" is from the May, 1985 issue.  "The Amazing Patch Story" is from June of 1986.  "In praise of Older Bikes", may be an appropriate read for iBOB's; we all seem to have picked up a used bike here and there, no?

Finally, I'm including a scan of Owen Mulholland's Snapshot piece, a vignette of Eddy Merckx and his first Tour victory. It's really an enjoyable read. Mr. Mulholland wrote many of these Snapshot segments and in 2006 published a very nice book, Cycling's Golden Age, a collection of great stories and photographs. One of the few hardback books I've ever paid full retail for, I was so excited to find his work again!

And now...a word from our sponsor:

"Cyclist" Magazine: Tourlines' take on gearing.

From August of 1985. Typically, Tourlines takes a minimalist view of gearing at a time when triples were all the rage!

Nowadays, with the advent of "1X" gearing, the views of these ancients seems very relevant. For me, I have found the most useful gearing for the kind of terrain I encounter here in Northern California is a wide geared double, almost a 1X plus granny if you will, with a big ring in the mid 40's range and a small ring of between 26 to 30 teeth. I continue to use an 8 speed cassette on the rear, these seem to provide more than enough of a gear selection for my riding.

"Cyclist" Magazine - Tourlines article on saddlebags.

Another Tourlines article, this one from the March, 1985 issue. Before I read this article, I hadn't known much about English style saddlebags. After reading it, I wanted to find one but in those "pre-internet" days, they were exotic objects I could only dream about. It wasn't until I discovered Rivendell in the 90's that I was able to get a Carradice Camper!

I now own several Carradice bags, the Camper longflap, a Nelson, a Pendle and a Junior(no longer available). They're great and I encourage every cyclist to get one, if for nothing more than to eep the wonderful Carradice company in business!

"Cyclist" Magazine Tourlines articles from the '80s.

Back in the 80s I was living in the cycling backwaters of Winnemucca, NV. At the local Raley's Supermarket I discovered "Cyclist" Magazine, a wonderful if somewhat short-lived periodical.

One recurring feature was Ed Stiles wonderful "Tourlines" articles, some of which were downright "retrogrouch" in tone. I loved them.

In fact, all of Cyclist Magazine struck me as somewhat retro in it's outlook. Alas, that probably was one of the factors in it's demise!

I've saved quite a few of the old issues and have decided to scan and post a few of them here, (I don't think there will be any copyright issues for a defunct magazine article from over 30 years ago!)

Here's a good one from the December, 1985 issue about dirt road touring, hope you enjoy it.