I have been "racing" my '71 Raleigh Pro every Tuesday night for the last six months with my local velo club in 40 mile road races with a few time trials and criteriums thrown in. The toe clips and friction shifting are good for a few chuckles from the younger set but in general the older stuff is not a HUGE disadvantage. The majority of the other riders have new Trek, Litespeed, etc., machines but there is a late 60's Colnago with modern parts, an early 80's Bianchi, and late 70's Raleigh Pro appropriately ridden by a late 50's Englishman.
Vintage only bike races would be a challenge since unlike vintage motorcross with 250, 500, etc., classes the vintage bike riders have a greater disparity in horsepower, so how do you divide it up? It is a cool idea...maybe somebody could figure out hoe to make it work?
From my own personal experience I recommend giving club races or something similar a try with the old bikes. It will definately show where technology has made a difference and where there is still no substitute for a strong motor, regardless of the chassis! I used to greatly prefer my Raleigh International over my Pro due the the softer easier ride qualities. The Pro always seemed stiff and choppy. However, in a race the Pro doesn't squirm around underneath you in a sprint and it's quicker handling can keep you out of trouble in a pack...and it never seems stiff or choppy in a race! I still think the Inter geometry is hard to beat for all around non-competitive riding.
Paul Raley Leonardtown MD
Jim Cole <jcole@memphis.edu> wrote:
>I spent the early to mid-70's racing motocross (as in motorcycles) and
>wrenched in shops during high school. Man, do I have the broken bones
>to prove it! While I have no interest in vintage motocross bikes there
>is certainly a bunch of folks that are into not only restoring, but
>racing them! I don't follow car racing, but there are a number of
>races held for vintage cars. Let's face it, any kind of vintage
>motorized vehicle is way more of a challenge to restore and use (much
>less race!) than a bicycle. If they can do it why not the vintage
>bicycle crowd? So, when is racing vintage road bikes going to come into
>vogue? The next Cirque maybe???
>
>Jim Cole
>Memphis, TN
>
>_______________________________________________
>
__________________________________________________________________
The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now! http://channels.netscape.com/
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/