The term "Convicts of the Road" derives from a term used by a non-cycling journalist, Albert Londres. He was following the 1924 Tour de France when he found that the morale of the riders resembled that of prisinors in the French penal colonies. Londres called the riders "Les Forcats de la Route - convicts of the road". This is a series of articles dedicated to cyclist who embody the spirit of those Convicts of the Road.
Whilst hunting for rights free vintage cycling images, I came across this rather curious book, "Through a Continent on Wheels" by R. L. Jefferson. Published in 1899. The book depicts the travels of Mr Jefferson across Europe and beyond by bicycle during the last decade of the 19th Century.
read more
On fine days Maurice Garin could often be found sitting in the office doorway of his service station on rue de Lille in Lens. A sign above the garage, depicting a cyclist, bore a caption proudly proclaiming “Road Champion of the World”.
read more
