{"id":180495,"date":"2020-11-20T12:18:11","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T12:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=180495"},"modified":"2020-12-04T09:14:35","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T09:14:35","slug":"legends-of-road-cycling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2020\/11\/20\/legends-of-road-cycling\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Rebels of Road Cycling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rebels, Mavericks, troublemakers. Whatever you want to call them, it is largely those who have chosen to march to the beat of their own drum that ends up having a lasting impact on the world around them. Daring to step out of line, challenge a norm, or simply approach life with a truly unique style, it is the nonconformists in our society that inspire, stimulate and garner the attention of others. It is, of course, no different in the realm of cycling. A sport with more than its fair share of brave, goofy, and generally envelope-pushing characters, there are plenty of stories to choose from. Let\u2019s take a look at just a few of the notable personalities who have brought something new to cycling through their refusal to follow convention.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Gino Bartali<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Gino<\/a>
Bartali (L) and Olimpio Bizzi (R), competing in the 1938 Giro. \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An Italian road cycling legend, who won the Tour de France<\/a> twice (notably, 10 years apart) in 1938 and 1948, Gino Bartali\u2019s legacy was further solidified in 2010 when his actions in World War II were revealed. In addition to his status as an accomplished road cyclist, Bartali\u2019s use for his bicycle extended beyond racing. During World War II, he relied on his cycling training to cover up secret efforts to rescue persecuted Jews throughout the war. Using his trusty steed to carry messages<\/a> and documents to the Italian Resistance, Bartali also hid a Jewish family in his cellar and ultimately helped save their lives. A legend in more ways than one, he proved to be a person unafraid to take matters into his own hands.<\/p>\n

Alfonsina Strada<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Alfonsina<\/a>
The incredible Alfonsina.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We\u2019ve talked about Alfonsina Strada before, and that\u2019s because when it comes to challenging the norms of women and bicycles, few people have taken as brazen a stance as this fearless Italian. To this day, she is the only woman ever to have officially taken part in a men’s Grand Tour, and she did this during an era when individual stages could be more than 400km long. Racing with the top male talents of the day, her most famous achievement was taking part in the 1924 Giro d’Italia. She suffered a rough crash on stage 8 but refused to let even broken handlebars stop her. Summoning the ingenuity for which she is still remembered, she got hold of a broom and used it to cobble together a solution that would allow her to continue riding. Despite losing several hours, she went on to continue the race and had effectively reached celebrity status by the time she finally rolled into Milan and made history as one of the famous cycling legends.<\/p>\n

Jonathan Vaughters<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Jonathan<\/a>
Vaughters (L), 01 July 1999 on a country road near Nantes, as he trains. \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As anyone who has had the pleasure of reading his memoir, One-Way Ticket, is well aware, Jonathan Vaughters could easily be considered the embodiment of the many paradoxes that have characterised cycling over the years. His tale involves a two-sides of the same coin approach to detailing the life of a misfit kid from Denver who rose to fame, only to succumb to the corruptive temptations of professional sports. Vaughters dealt with his outsider status in high school by taking long, lonely rides in the mountains and dreaming of racing in Europe. It was a dream he achieved, but that was also marked by a subsequent journey from corruption to redemption, which ultimately resulted in his becoming a leading force in the movement to clean up cycling.<\/p>\n

One of the most unforgettable moments he recounts is an encounter he had with Lance Armstrong inside a hotel room at the 1998 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a. Injecting himself, Lance said, \u201cYou\u2019re one of us now, J.V. This is the boys club\u2014we all have dirt on each other, so don\u2019t go write a book about this about this s*** or something.\u201d Suffice it to say, Vaughters made the executive decision that it was a story which, for the good of the sport he so loves, needed to be told.<\/p>\n

Juliana Buhring<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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This is a woman that doesn't know how to give up: Juliana Buhring on restarting the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. https:\/\/t.co\/vVtu0DWh1f<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TuwmkvfxGP<\/a><\/p>\n

— l\u2019echappe (@echappe_) March 27, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n