Cyclists are no wimps

[SadieKate]

The Webcyclery here in Bend shows a cycling movie once a month at McMenamins as a monthly fundraiser for the local trail alliance. Last night was the documentary on the heyday of six-day racing back in the 1890s to 1930s. It was absolutely fascinating. Anyone who thinks cyclists are, ahem, wussies should watch this film.

http://www.sixdaybicyclerace.com/

Here’s a link to a previous thread on the Zürich race.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=24513&highlight=six-day+races

Apparently, the Portland Velodrome has an annual six-day race.
Alpenrose Sixday in Portland – starts June 23, 2008
Last year’s link -- http://www.obra.org/track/flyers/2007/six_day.html

And word is a six-day race is being planned at Mandalay Bay during Interbike this coming year.
http://www.velonews.com/article/72996

Almost temps me to voluntarily make a trip to Vegas. I think I'd watch the Derny racing through my fingers. :eek:

[classic1]

There's a story about the old time sixday racer Reggie McNamara. He was racing in San Francisco and disappeared one night, only to return later with bruising, black eyes, a blood nose etc. When asked where he'd been he said he went to the docks looking for a fight. San Francisco would have been one of the toughest ports in the world at the time. He got in a couple and claimed to have acquitted himself well because 'I nearly won one of them'. :D