Cycling and Mopeds 14 November, 1962
Thousands flock to Earl’s Court and Simpson on his Tour ride
The Cycle Show at Earl’s Court was a very, very big deal back in the 1960s. Despite this period seeing the beginning of the downturn in British manufacturing, there was no dimming of people’s enthusiasm for new kit, with more than 41,000 visitors on the first day. The magazine clearly did well from the event as it’s packed with adverts from brands telling readers where they can find them at the show. Even Johnny Helms produced a page of cartoons especially for the occasion.
But no matter how big the show, it doesn’t excuse that cover. Taken from a high vantage point, it seems to show the opening of the event with lots of people gathered round someone at a lectern. There isn’t a bike in sight.
Inside there are several pages of reports from the show with, thankfully, plenty of bikes to look at. A caption on one of the photos showing a Viking bike announces that topping the show was a road racing bike worth £100.
Also in this issue, the foremost British cycling coach of the time, Dr C. R. Woodard, looked at the build and physiology of TT champion Frank Colden, who Dr Woodard confidently labelled as a potential world champion based on a rudimentary assessment of his physique. However, not to downplay the mental side of racing, Woodard also stated: “I don’t believe there is anything more important to an athlete than this thing called confidence.”
On the page before was a champion in the making – Tom
Simpson. He recalls in his own words the 1962 Tour where he became the first Briton to wear the leader’s yellow jersey. He took it on stage
12 that went over the Tourmalet, Col d’aspin and the Peyresourde. For this he rode 45/49 chainrings with a 13, 15, 18, 21, 24-tooth block on the rear. That’s a smallest gear of 49 inches for a mountain stage.
He lost the jersey the next day on the summit finish of Superbagnères.