The great John Tomac
 

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/10/home...d-trails-road/

Nice article. I remember pictures of John doing crazy stunts on the cover of Mt Bike Action before he became a household name, in cycling circles anyway. Also an interesting take on the drug scene back then and how he didn't want his kids to pursue that sport. Eli has sure made a name for himself in motocross.

Tim

That was great. Thanks for including us.

As he closes in on his 50th birthday, Tomac still likes to get out and ride trails. That’s his way to relax when he’s not busy on the ranch or traveling the motocross circuit with Eli. “My favorite thing is to ride the high-country trails here in Colorado,” he says. “Stuff that’s rugged and pretty high up there. I normally ride a bike with about 120mm of suspension, 650b wheels and three-inch-wide tires to handle the nasty, rough terrain.”

Very good article & video, thanks for sharing.





William

Nice article. I remember pictures of John doing crazy stunts on the cover of Mt Bike Action before he became a household name, in cycling circles anyway. Also an interesting take on the drug scene back then and how he didn't want his kids to pursue that sport. Eli has sure made a name for himself in motocross.

Motocross is the only other sport I pay attention to..i came to cycling from motocross.your correct,and Eli is well is on his way to becoming a household name in his own right.really a great kid,you can tell his parents did a great job raising him and without a doubt one of the fastest racers on the planet
thanks for the link Tim

Great video... I love his take on cheating and doping and the reality that it’s use is ultimately an admission of defeat. It is refreshing to see someone like him at his age and station of life with the sense of satisfaction of knowing that who is and what he has done produces a clean conscience.

I was privileged to race against Tomac way back in the day. I was never a threat to him that's for sure but just to line up against him was an honor.

I remember preriding the course at the Ross International Stage Race and Tomac was doing the same thing and I got to ride in tandem with him. He had the ability to seemingly float over sections mere mortals just slammed through. There was a downhill section that had two lines, one safe and slow and one very fast and risky and we came into it together. I assumed he would take the safe line in practice and set up to do the same. When we got to it he stood and sprinted at it and took the fast line like it was a paved bike path while I struggled through the slow but safe line. He made so much time on me in that one section that I never saw him again.

He went on to win the race overall (over Ned Overend) and I placed in the top ten but the difference was measured with a calendar.

He was the best and everyone that lined up on the same start line knew it.

dave

Nice story David Kirk.

One word...CLASS! Thanks for posting!

Man, he was the complete rider, he could do everything - downhill, XC, road - you name it. And a great guy.

:)

Thanks for sharing. I remember reading about him in magazines and I always assumed he was so much older than me but turns out he really was only 8 years older, but when you’re 12 that’s a lot. He was awesome.

Tomac using drop bar and rear disc wheel at the Worlds in Durango 1990. Took my boys there during spring break and rode part of the WC course, has a better appreciation of their skills, how hard the climbs were and the speed they were going downhill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbWR4uhebeY

one of the best cyclists of all time.