The Originals - The Pioneers

I love this picture for many reasons, but mostly because it is inspiring. These guys were the pioneers of modern cycling "The Real Gravel Grinders" and must have been truly phenomenal athletes. Do you see any team cars? They did the TDF and other races totally unsupported in most cases. Carrying their own tubes and tires, not in little saddle bags but strung over their shoulders like bandoliers. They had to make their own repairs. No multicolored lycra in this picture, but probably hot itchy wool. Are those Oakley or Smith sunglasses? And those bikes...heavy steel beauties, with heavy steel wheels, with thick heavy rubber and single speeds. To ride one of these over the Alps had to be an amazing feat of strength and perseverance. It's no wonder that when they first added mountain stages to the tour one rider referred the organizers as a bunch of "murderous bastards". I wonder if they are carrying water in those metal bottles? Maybe beer?