Tony & Shellie Welch <TSWelch@Indy.net> wrote: I understand that back in the olden days, before clipless pedals, some track racers once bolted their shoes to the pedals. I guess they laced their shoes on while being held on their bike. Does anyone know of this? The most famous exponent of bolted on shoes was Aussie sprinter John Nicholson, who also pioneered the Shimano 10mm drivetrain. Nicholson won the Professional Sprint World Championship in 1975 & 1976, so he's definitely on-topic. Some of the Russian female sprinters were still using this method within the last decade. David Benson Auckland, New Zealand
As has been pointed out above John Nicholson the Australian did this.I watched him race during the later part of his carreer and you would see him tying his laces while leaning against the fence at the track and then very deftly untying them once the race was over.He also rode like this on the road and would be seen walking around in his socks before a race.In a crash that may or may not have been made worse by this practice he broke his leg in 7 places at one time .Most people thought he was crazy but then 2 world championships is nothing to sneeze at Geoff Duke Melbourne Australia