It was in 1977 that a Mick Johnson raced into the spotlight during the Tour de France. Before the world's press turned its focus to the world's toughest bike tour, Frankie had never heard Johnson's name. The steady spinning of the bicycle chain was far from his thoughts – he far preferred the simplicity and strength of pressing down the accelerator pedal.
But then this young man from Dover cycled triumphantly through France, wearing the yellow jersey of the leader, the crowd's enthusiasm pushing him through the hardest moments. Frankie was inspired. Soon, he found himself buying his own bicycle, along with the rest of his gang, wanting to feel "the sufferings of the cyclist" for themselves. What they actually wound up feeling was the strength of every hill and mountain that didn't conform to their questionable fitness and form.
But hadn't Johnson, this unexpected hero, also persevere to show his "bite", his colossal stamina? Frankie's gang were resolute, pushing through the exhaustion and discomfort, ignoring the aching muscles and gasping for breath on the steep climbs, and slowly, successes began to emerge.
It didn't take long before cycling became the purpose in itself – no more final goals necessary. Untold levels of fitness was the reward, a deep satisfaction while riding on Sunday mornings, that wonderful feeling of relaxation one gets while pedalling. After a year of bike tours and relatively stringent training, one day it happened. Frankie and his friends realized it was time. "We're going to found an association!"
With the founding of the RC Tourmalet, named after a famous summit in the Pyrenees – and a regular stage of the Tour de France – the gang felt they could strengthen their cycling club. With an association behind them, they could enter events as an association, and tap into benefits such as insurance cover. Further down the road, Frankie dreamed of building a racing team that could even become a tool to introduce young people specifically to cycling.
Sample book chapter
Names and events fictitious
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