Back in 1991…
Back in 1991, when Cardiff Cycle Chic was only a glint in the eye of its maker, we were still taking pictures. Using black and white film and an old rangefinder camera, these images were taken at the start of one of the northern English stages of the Tour of Britain bicycle race.
Although this is a major departure for Cardiff Cycle Chic into the world of lycra and cycling gear (we are so naughty!), we thought you might like to see some ‘road racer style’ from the past – when a mullet hair style was still the most important aspect of a racer’s look. And a helmet was an unusual sight. Enjoy!
Great images. Would love one of those strappy helmet things for L’Eroica (not to mention a vintage bike!).
Just realised I’ve got a few more images. I’ll add later!
So what changed? Did cycling, even racing, suddenly get so much more dangerous that the UCI made helmets mandatory? I’d venture that the only thing that changed was our collective level of risk aversion.
I think you are right about risk aversion – if anything the races have never been more controlled…