Tony McMillan - 'Bicycle Racing in Europe' 1966

'Introduction

In 1966 our brother Tony McMillan won seven major bicycle races in California when he was eighteen. Hoping to extend his winning streak into the world championships, he decided to go to Europe for the summer to race and improve his chances. While there, he wrote the ten following letters home, to a group in Berkeley consisting of us, Bob Parsons, and John King, and to our mother and sister. The letters provide a near real-time description of the racing there, which was mostly in Belgium. They may be unique from several points of view'.... from 'Bicycle Racing in Europe'

I can't tell you much about the Vance Vaughan the man who holds a small treasure trove of cycling letters, stories and reports on his website.  But I thank him.

Above is the self explanatory introduction to a series of letters written by an American who took his chances against the Belgians in 1966.  Way before 7-11. 
Read them here: Bicycle Racing in Europe

Vance has other stories and reports of cycling ventures involving Iditabike, RAAM, PBP etc primarily from the 1980's.  In his photos are some great shots of what I assume is amateur racing in the 80's.  Just love the old jerseys and big 'ski' style glasses.

Vance's homepage is here: vancevaughan
Strange how it feels like an invasion of privacy to delve through this stuff.

I am going to write to Vance to hopefully share more.


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