[CR] I shall be riding my Bianchi Campionissimo tomorrow

Ted, you should write a book of your cycling life. No way can I thank you enough for sharing your experiences. You are a treasure to the list. Yeah, I know, an attaboy, but, man, you were there and done that!! Jay Sexton Sebastopol, CA

Message: 6 Date: Fri, 1 Jan 2010 18:06:30 -0800 From: ternst <ternst1@cox.net> Subject: Re: [CR] I shall be riding my Bianchi Campionissimo tomorrow To: Norris Lockley <nlockley73@googlemail.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Message-ID: <2E68FF3680684121A4E6ECB8A8E566C4@D8XCLL51> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original

As I recall Coppi died in the hospital of Malaria contracted while on safari with Geminiani, I think. Hospitalized in Italy, the doctors misdiagnosed and treated him for pneumonia. Upon his death it was a near riot and scandal, and it was a wonder the hospital was left standing and the doctors didn't entertain an early demise. To say the tifosi were more than irate is a giant understatement. As to his legs, they were impressive!
   I was fortunate to have ridden the last races that Fausti Coppi rode in the fall of '59 before his ill fated safari. There was a small series of criteriums in Germany, - Berlin - Augsburg - Munich. When standing next to him at the start in Berlin his thighs were very powerful, he had a very large chest/lung capacity and long arms as I recall, and yet he didn't look out of proportion. Unfortunately I don't have any photos to prove it but I do have the programs with all our rider's names. All of us were racing and I as a "small" rider was more interested in doing as well as possible and not too concerned with photo-ops. The course was right by the TV tower and part of it was on the north curve of the Avus Grand Prix car racing track/route of prewar Auto-Union and Mecedes battles among others. I remember sitting next to him in Berlin during the race and when he made a move Coppi would arch his back slightly, settle down into the position and drive with his thighs. His bike shot forward and I remember having to go like hell to keep position or lose a few spots. After a while it didn't make any diffference who you were, you either had a team to work with or you had to fight for every inch/ position. I got lucky and won a prime, which was a case of champagne. I didn't realize as a newbie that I wasn't supposed to do that and a few laps later as we were jamming around I was sitting behind Lul Gillen of Luxemburg. Lul was a very top 6-Day rider and rode these races as summer season. He was also a most experienced and tricky bike handler. Looking back on it he didn't crowd me or make any hint of my beverage misdemeanor, but all of a sudden as we leaned into a slight turn he came close and kicked his wheel sideways by lightening up un the bike and kicking his leg up quickly. That side jump caught my front wheel and he unceremoniously knocked me on my ass. That sorta left me out for the finish. The trainers at the hall told me what the scoop was, but that's racing. I had to leave Berlin and get back to the West for another race and left the champagne with the trainers and hangers on at the track. They said they'd keep it for me till I got back a few weeks later. They did enjoy my wink wink compliance for their treat. Give them a favor and it comes back next time you're in town and need a little help. Thanks Norris, for jarring a synapse of an event over 50 years ago. HNY guys and gals. Ted Ernst Palos Verdes Estates CA USA