[CR]Meingasts: a racing family...others?

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

In-Reply-To: <MONKEYFOODBbKP7Ie8t00002072@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
References:
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 12:04:37 -0500
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Jeff Potter" <jeff@outyourbackdoor.com>
Subject: [CR]Meingasts: a racing family...others?

In about 1980, an early year of when I was learning to love bike racing, I was inspired by the four Meingast brothers of the Detroit Sports Club Wolverines (then later Evanston's Turin). Anyone remember them?

A friend, Barb Hintzen, Natl Road Champ '77, grew up with them and introduced me to them. There were the 2 older brothers, Christoph (sp) and Wolfram and the two kids (at the time) Klaus and Herb. I'd think that from the late 70's to the mid-90's that Meingasts were winning everything in the CHI/MICH region. That's quite a reign. Sure there were gaps and exceptions, but darn. Anyone else know of 4 brothers who all could win like that? They'd school the 7-11's, Canucks (Ian D'Ornalis), Irish, Italians and Euros when they came to Downer's Grove. My recollection anyway. They wouldn't always win but would basically be the local boys who made the break and impressed the hotshots. There were other hot Midwesterners at the time, too, of course. Tom Schuler, several others.

The Blasters to my knowledge never liked to drive much to race and didn't do Natl's (?). They took care of their turf.

I sometimes wondered just how far the Blasters could've gone. Herb, the youngest, finally went to Italy and got 4th in a regional stage-race (stage?). I've heard that he was dismayed by the needles in the locker-room even at that moderate level.

They seemed to win and train easily and smart, not getting sick or hurt. Klaus was a bombproof field sprint winner for years. Herb was the breakaway shoe-in. That's all quite a knack. I was always impressed.

My recollection and hearsay has it that racing helped a lot to put all 4 brothers thru college---isn't that pretty darn good as it is?

**** Jeff Potter
     **** Out Your Backdoor ... http://outyourbackdoor.com Publisher of authentic, homegrown, small world culture about bikes, skis, boats, huntin', fishin', novels, music & more! Check out my three specialized indy culture mirror sites! http://AllBikemag.com * http://UpNorthmag.com * http://HooknBullet.com Order huge #10 OYB mag, $5: 4686 Meridian Rd., Williamston MI 48895 800-763-6923