The French touring, or Randonneur
Bicycle
This page
is a brief encomium to a type of bicycle which, for me, symbolizes a tradition
of cycling as a way of life. A love of the outdoors, of travel, of independence,
and of craftsmanship: all of these aspects can be found in this type of
bicycle. It also represents what I think is the right use of technology, for
these bikes did not drastically change over the course of almost a century, and
changes were only made if time-tested, and sure to improve the ride. In
addition, there is real artistry going into each of these bikes, making it more
than just a way to get around. Form and function have never been combined so
well.
Although
these bikes are very high-performance, they are not racing bicycles. I should
point out some important differences: Contrary to the popular notion that
competition influences recreational products such as cars, motorcycles, tennis
raquets, etc., racing bicycles were actually developed as stripped-down
versions of touring bikes. Racing bicycles lack certain “extras” which are only
superfluous from the perspective of racers: gears which allow one to ride
uphill comfortably (and slowly), fenders which keep rain and road spray off the
rider, larger tires for a smoother ride, racks and bags which hold a rider’s
extra clothing and food on long rides; parts which, although a bit heavier, are
made to work well, provide comfort, and last a lifetime.
In Europe,
racing has always had a certain urgency to it, as opposed to cyclotouring. I
quote Jan Heine from issue #24 of the Rivendell Reader: “In France, the ‘cyclotourists’
are a large and proud group. Most french racers—amateurs and
professionals alike—dream of making bicycles their livelihood, often to
escape dreary jobs in coal mines and factories. But not the
cyclotourists—they are true amateurs, and ride because they enjoy riding.
They may be competitive, but mostly they want to see the country from their
bicycles, enjoy the camraderie of other cyclists and live a good life.” Sounds
good to me.
Take a look
at a 1956 Rene Herse:
Features
worth noting: front and rear racks for bags and/or panniers; fenders, with
built-in generator lights; clearance for fenders and large tires, in order to
accomodate all riding conditions. Of course there are some differences between
this and a more modern bike, but almost everything is functionally the same.
Not many Americans were riding lightweight steel frames with aluminum triple
cranks and lightweight derailleurs back in the 50’s, but they certainly
existed. Bicycle design, for touring and racing, remained pretty much the same
until the mid 80’s . Then we have the drastic change in bicycle design between
1980 and 2000. While the marketing forces behind the bicycle industry, the awe
we all have for the latest technological gimmic, and the narrow margins of
victory such advances provide to certain professional riders, push companies to
“reinvent” the bicycle every few years, the attitude of the cyclotourists is:
if it ain’t broke, why fix it? For
further evidence, Click here
for Jan Heine’s account of riding a 400 kilometer brevet on his 1962 Alex
singer bike, with an 8 speed geartrain developed in the 1930’s.
Unfortunately,
the status of France when it comes to this tradition of cycling seems to belong
primarily to their heritage, as opposed to their present. On a recent trip
through a good part of France, I was unable to find any evidence of this tradition
that we hear so much about. Granted, I was not in search of cyclotouring
communities, events, or shops. But in the entire three weeks, I failed to
encounter hardly a bike shop or a cyclotourist. I even dragged my exhausted wife through two flea markets in
Paris in vain. Perhaps this tradition has been relegated to backroads, alleys,
and other out-of-the-way places, or only rears its head during cycling events
like Paris-Brest-Paris, but I was unable to experience it. According to many,
the tradition of building and enjoying these great bikes mainly lives on in the
UK, America and Japan.