By Michael Barry for Soigneur Journal Floating in the belly of the peloton, my thoughts drifted to the off season, as they often did during late autumn races. A team…
Vintage Bicycle Feature: c1968 Cinelli S.C.
Cinelli Bicycles was founded in 1948 by Cino Cinelli, (born in Montespertoli, Italy, 9 February 1916, died 20 April 2001), a former professional road racer and president of the Italian…
Vintage Bicycle Feature: Griffon Paris Mixte Touring. France 1948
This Griffon is an example of a 1950s French mixte bicycle. The term mixte indicates that it is suitable for both sexes but outside of France, the mixte type frame…
Vintage Bicycle Feature: 1965 Hetchins, England
This frame is an excellent example of the ornate lugged Hetchins. The Hetchins “Vibrant” stays were claimed to make the bike more comfortable and resilient. Campagnolo Record derailleurs, hubs and…
Vintage Bicycle Feature: André Bertin “Type Special” French Racer Vintage Bicycle
This circa late 1940s André Bertin “Type Special” French Racer was built by André Bertin, a former professional cyclist. At Bicyclesport and Bicycle Specialties, we sold Bertin over the years…
On the bike, slogging through mud, suffering from the effort, and smiling.
A look back at cyclocross over the years with a selection of photos from the World Championships at Crystal Palace, in 1973. By Michael Barry. Photos by Clare Barry, Mike…
Soigneur: Racing The Worlds
As the World Championships unfolds in Yorkshire this week, here is a reflection, by Michael Barry, on the unique aspects of the race and on competing for Canada . Published…
Soigneur – La Vuelta
By Michael Barry for Soigneur Journal As we neared the start area in the team bus, riders had started cutting holes in their jerseys and bib shorts. Outside the air-conditioned…
Building Bicycles
By Michael Barry for Soigneur Photography by Ian Patterson The rising sun breaks through the trees, as we thrash across the open fields. Beneath us, our bikes absorb the undulations…
Vintage Bicycle Feature: 1982 Mariposa Child’s Road Bicycle
By Michael Barry A good steel frame can be used repeatedly, for decades. It can be ridden, crashed, fixed and adapted. In the shop, old bikes come in constantly that…
Cappellino, Cap, Casquette….
By Michael Barry Rain tapped against the Team Sky bus window. The eight of us sat quietly in our chairs, some with their eyes closed and headphones on, others studying…
Vans
By Michael Barry The van revved with ferocity as we crested the rolling hills on the eastern side of Lake Superior. They weren’t hills so much as slopes but my…