tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2821760991275369602.post2386501559295277369..comments2023-09-08T06:31:18.925-05:00Comments on Belgium Knee Warmers™: Tom Simpson: The Lion of YorkshireRadio Freddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07419506761098758178noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2821760991275369602.post-83624334396184272562008-02-03T10:18:00.000-06:002008-02-03T10:18:00.000-06:00Tom Simpson was a top level pro of his era and an ...Tom Simpson was a top level pro of his era and an inspiration to myself. As a Canadian born junior rider introduced to cycling with a local club of British ex-pats, Britannia CC in the Toronto, Canada area, Simpson was a huge symbol that an English speaker rider could make the pro peloton and also win some of the best pro races. I remember him for winning the Tour of Flanders, Milan San-Remo, Tour of Lombardy and the World Pro Road Championship. His book "Cycling is my Life" is a story of that struggle to make it in a cycling era that was rough and tough. A read of it is an illuminating illustration of pro cycling at that time and may provide some element of understanding of that era. <BR/><BR/>I still have the issue of British publication Cycling Weekly that announced the terribly unfortunate and tragic demise of Tom on Mont Ventoux, July 13, 1967. It contains many quotes of the people Tom Simpson touched in his sporting career. I still feel the sense of loss and pain when I pick it up and read it now. <BR/><BR/>Later on, Simpson did inspire me to go from Canada to the European continent to race my bike and it was then I truly understood what he was up against. Alone except for my bike, a suitcase, in a foreign land and language... an English speaker bike rider in the peloton was a still a rare oddity at the time. The obstacles were great. Belgium was very good to me as it was to Tom Simpson and I fondly remember the people who helped me there. Belgium was and remains truly the "Mecca of cycling". <BR/><BR/>Tom Simpson was an excellent and awesome rider.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2821760991275369602.post-17236852386470219932007-11-21T03:06:00.000-06:002007-11-21T03:06:00.000-06:00...il bruce...you've added a nice touch...your fat......il bruce...you've added a nice touch...your father-in-laws succinct comment speaks volumes about the bonding created by cycling...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2821760991275369602.post-11175387694090521472007-11-20T10:23:00.000-06:002007-11-20T10:23:00.000-06:00My father in law Ray raced with Simpson, Hoban, an...My father in law Ray raced with Simpson, Hoban, and Robinson a bit as a lad in England.<BR/><BR/>He and Simpson were about the same age. (Today is my father in law's 70th birthday.)<BR/><BR/>Not at emotional type Ray was brought up in Burnley Lancashire and is a Lancashireman through and through. Ray is a kind loving man but not demonstritive in his emotions. He still gets quite upset when Simpson is discussed. He was "one of us" Ray said.Il Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01069926743192209816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2821760991275369602.post-7654872134487719712007-11-20T02:38:00.000-06:002007-11-20T02:38:00.000-06:00...padraig, i'm glad your passion compelled you to......padraig, i'm glad your passion compelled you to create your "godspeed" post, as it's drawn john pierce into sharing a deep & touching look into the why & wherefores of 'the lion of yorkshire'...<BR/><BR/>...there is no way i could justify the 'facts', but to me, simpson was always more than 'just another doper' knowing as i did, something of his life...the stimulants, while widely used throughout the peloton seemed so incongruous with simpsons newfound adopted lifestyle...a lifestyle i now assume was to help make up for the inequities of the war & postwar food shortages...<BR/><BR/>...as several of us pointed out & mr pierce confirmed, the passion to be the best is what drove simpson to his death, drugs simply assured it...<BR/><BR/>...mr pierce, when i saw your photo of simpson with the young merckx at his side, mentor & student, englishman & belgian, my breath caught in my throat...eddy merckx with his storied & glorious career & yet in the beginning, here with tommy so obviously in control...an exquisite photo...<BR/><BR/>...i can only say thank you, john pierce & padraig, this has been enriching...<BR/>...godspeed & cheers...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2821760991275369602.post-29787929298787111892007-11-19T15:07:00.000-06:002007-11-19T15:07:00.000-06:00Very informative letter. Simpson will always be r...Very informative letter. Simpson will always be remembered for the drugs, but his stature within the peloton was just below the level of a patron. Most people tend to think of him as a mid-level pro, who got noteriety for dying on a hot bleak mountain. Not so, according to those that lived it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com