On the subject of Jose Meiffret, an old paperback entitled "The Best of Bicycling"(a collection of articles from American Cycling, I think) had an article "Date With Death" about Meiffret and his record attempts. Things like crashing at Monthlery at over 90 mph, resulting in 7 separate skull fractures! One of my favorite reads as a teenager.
Best regards,
Wes Gadd
Unionville,CT