Husqvarna road bikes are rare in Sweden (I have put up pictures of an
Husqvarna road bike from 1938, Husqvarna " Sverige lopps cykeln " from
1951, Grandfather of Steel and English frame?? On this address:
http://goto.glocalnet.net/
Husqvarnas most known bike is " Sverige lopps cykeln " made for a race trough Sweden, a race as they also hosted. The race took place every year between 1951 to 63.
Intimate associated with " Sverige loppet " is Grandfather of Steel. Nice story!!
Grandfather of Steel: Swedish Cycling Legend ... and an inspiration for old men everywhere who still love to ride their bicycles.
Gustaf Håkansson had been an enthusiastic bicyclist for many years when in 1951 he heard of the plan to hold the first Sverige-Loppet or Tour of Sweden race which would be the longest stage race ever held in Sweden. It would cover a distance of 1,761 kilometers (1,094 miles), and run almost the entire length of the country.
This sounded like such a wonderful idea to Gustaf that he decided he would also enter the race. So, he grabbed his bike and trekked up to the race's starting point, Haparanda in northern Sweden on the Finnish border. Here the organizers told him that at age 66 he was too old - 26 years past their age limit. And, of course, he was also not one of the 50 top Swedish racers who had already been selected through the Swedish racing organization's legally sanctioned preliminary races. So, the officials simply sent him away. However, after having already now cycled hundreds of miles just to enter the race, he was not to be so easily dismissed. Finding a scrap of fabric, he proceeded to sew on his own race number... "0".
Håkansson decided he would just ride his own race following along the same route as the Tour. He re-mounted his bike and started out, still a couple days now before the official race began. Riding his race "randonnée-style", he simply slept by the roadside whenever he became too weary to continue riding, and stopped to eat whenever he became hungry. Apart from his normal clothing, the only additional "cycling clothes" he brought included mainly just a beret and a mackintosh in case of rain. Setting his own speed, he easily averaged 165 miles per day while still riding at a comfortable pace and enjoying the countryside.
Before long, the national news services had picked up the story and began to report about his progress, even broadcasting radio updates. And soon people were lining up to see him ride past and to offer food and drink. Along the way, one child was heard referring to him as "Stålfarfar" meaning "Grandfather of Steel" and the moniker quickly caught on. By the time he had reached the finish of the course in Ystad, at the very southern tip of Sweden, Håkansson had become a national popular hero, famous throughout the country. He actually finished "His" race on the day before the real racers completed theirs, but thousands had already gathered to await his arrival. He was then immediately sent away for a private audience with the King of Sweden who instantly greeted him with a big congratulatory hug.
After this first remarkable race, his cycling days were certainly not over. In 1959, now age 74, he decided to take a much longer solo bike ride (very long trip) this time to Jerusalem, to visit the holy places. Håkansson also continued to "participate" in other bicycle races to age 85, and he was still cycling when he was 100 years old.
Help wanted to identify what I believe is an English made frame.
The frame is badly repainted. I think the frame is made by Reynolds 531
tubes, the steerer on the fork is stamped with Reynolds 531. It has
campagnolo drop outs. The bottom bracket shell has six drilled holes.
The lugs is little peculiar, I have never seen such lugs before. It was
mounted with a Campagnolo Nuovo record group. I have put up pics on:
http://goto.glocalnet.net/
Regards from:
Peter Söderlund
Göteborg
Sweden