Nelson Vails ... World Class Cyclist and cool guy

[killacks]

Just yesterday, I attended an event at my LBS, which featured an honored guest, Nelson Vails. Admittedly, I did not know much about the man prior to meeting him aside from what I read about him on the interwebs (world class track racer, Olympic medalist, NYC messenger, etc.).

The gathering was held at Brooklyn Bikes in San Diego, CA, and it was intimate. A small group of us sat around the shop, checked out some race footage he brought with him, he signed some stuff, and chatted about bikes and whatever else popped up. Then, we all rode out to the local velodrome races. All in all, a fun time and a pretty cool dude, totally friendly and approachable.

Anyhow, thought I'd share. I think he travels and does this sort of event at elsewhere, too. If you get the chance, check him out. :cool:

[Rudy]

Vails was irresistible at GPs held in Colorado Springs in the mid-eighties. His helmet was painted with a silhouette of the Manhattan skyline.

[Hindmost]

Colorado Springs 1986 Track World Championships:

A week of non-stop racing. Seemed like everyone in the stands knew each other, a big bike racing love-fest. The USA riders would circulate through the stands and visit with their amigos. One evening a couple with a VHS camera stopped Nelson and asked if he would take a shot of them, which he graciously does, and then proceeds to pan the entire grandstand behind them. All the fans being filmed stand, yell, and mug for the camera. Smiles all around.

[JLP]

The first time I made the finals at Trexlertown -- as an intermediate -- Nelson rode up to me at the line and said, "just get behind me, kid."

He kept me safe for the entire race.

Class act.

Chain Strain.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . .but compliments about Vails. I'd be honored to ride with him someday.

BBD

[cuwinbs]

me and nelson vails back in 1987...he came and raced about 5 laps at our crit racehttp://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt278/cuwinbs/IMG_7701.jpg

[spookyload]

He does Tour de Tucson every year. Super windy this year, and we hooked up with 5 miles to go. We were approaching the gold medal cut off and I was determined to make sure we made it. Super nice guy. Even let me take him at the line.

[Bradford]

I rode Nellie's wheel down Independence Pass this summer with another 5 guys hanging on to my wheel for dear life. We ripped every steep and hairpin all the way down to Twin Lakes.

When we stopped, I told him how much fun I had and he told me he was taking it easy so no one would get hurt. His taking it easy was at the outside of our comfort zone and past the abilities of the guys who dropped off out of fear.

He was a thrill to ride behind and a nicer guy to talk to. I'd hang with Nellie any day.

[cadence90]

I was lucky to meet and sit in the stands with him and Theo Bos at the 2005 UCI World Track Championships. Those are two of the nicest guys ever, and Vails seemed to adored by absolutely everyone. Great at working a crowd too! Bos was on the rise, having just won the 1km TT gold, and still he was obviously so honored to be hanging out with Vails. It was very cool.

[oldpotatoe]

I was lucky to meet and sit in the stands with him and Theo Bos at the 2005 UCI World Track Championships. Those are two of the nicest guys ever, and Vails seemed to adored by absolutely everyone. Great at working a crowd too! Bos was on the rise, having just won the 1km TT gold, and still he was obviously so honored to be hanging out with Vails. It was very cool.

He's been to the shop more than once, a few Xmas partys as well. Very sweet guy. There is a video about him in Japan, great video. He was a ROCK STAR when he raced there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjLnzbzuNhE

[wallymann]

my club hosted nelson to speak at a convention and partake in an organized ride back in 2013

http://majortaylorcycling.org/events/2013_nbc-columbus/

the cheetah is a little bigger thru the mid-section, but can still roll!

http://majortaylorcycling.org/events/2013_nbc-columbus/NBC%202%20032.jpg
http://majortaylorcycling.org/events/2013_nbc-columbus/DSC09293.JPG
http://majortaylorcycling.org/events/2013_nbc-columbus/DSC09310.JPG
http://majortaylorcycling.org/events/2013_nbc-columbus/NBC%20Day%202%20+%203%20011.jpg

[tiretrax]

I rode Nellie's wheel down Independence Pass this summer with another 5 guys hanging on to my wheel for dear life. We ripped every steep and hairpin all the way down to Twin Lakes.

When we stopped, I told him how much fun I had and he told me he was taking it easy so no one would get hurt. His taking it easy was at the outside of our comfort zone and past the abilities of the guys who dropped off out of fear.

He was a thrill to ride behind and a nicer guy to talk to. I'd hang with Nellie any day.

Yeah, but did you buy his jersey?

Great guy. Talked me through speed wobble on his way to catching Bradford. He was always friendly and willing to chat with folks.

[tiretrax]

...

[coylifut]

it runs in the family. his brother older brother Ronnie is a great guy as well. maybe not as an accomplished rider, but certainly valuable to his community.

[fiamme red]

https://www.renehersecycles.com/people-who-inspire-us-nelson-vails/

The fixie movement also traces its origins to Manhattan’s bike messengers, so I was surprised to learn that Vails did not ride a fixed gear as a messenger. In an interview for the book Fixed, he explained that at his speed, he needed brakes and the ability to coast to survive in New York traffic: “That’s how intense I was.”

You have to love his honesty, even though the answer must have disappointed the authors!