Cecchi, The Giro To Give A Gift To His Children

· 2024-10-21

Sulle strade d’Italia
Ezio Cecchi (1913-1984) participated in 11 editions of the Giro d’Italia. Here, during the 4th stage of May 26, 1950, the Livorno-Genoa.

In ’48, surprisingly, with 3 stages to go he was wearing the pink jersey, but it didn’t finish as he had hoped.
The race was won by Fiorenzo Magni, who took advantage of some “help” on the climb.

It happened in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in 1948. Friday, June 4, at the start of the third-to-last stage of the Giro d’Italia, against all odds, the pink jersey was on the shoulders of Ezio Cecchi, known as Cecchino, a man who didn’t have the elegance of Coppi, nor the strength of Bartali, nor even the cunning of Magni. But that day the symbol of command was on him, he who had to go around the seven churches to find a team at the beginning of the season. Nobody wanted him, he was too old, what could he do at thirty-five years old? By now he was a tired horse. «Cecchino» was hired by Cimatti, more out of pity than confidence. But it didn’t matter to him: the important thing was to be able to race the Giro and earn a few lira to buy a sailor suit for his son and a gold chain for his daughter. This is what Ezio Cecchi, known as «Cecchino», son and grandson of a dynasty of broom makers from Monsummano, in the province of Pistoia, wanted. Three stages to go and the pink jersey to defend. «Cecchino», who knew his limits, studied the route from Cortina to Trento, identified the points where the road rose and those where it levelled out and then you could rest a bit. He did everything he could, but it wasn’t enough. Coppi set off with his round pedal stroke, he left everyone behind and left the others only crumbs. “Okay,” «Cecchino» said to himself, “if I have to lose to Coppi, I’m fine with that: he’s the strongest.” When he reached the finish line, however, after falling and risking his neck, he discovered that the pink jersey didn’t end up on Fausto’s shoulders, but on those of FiorenzoMagni. But how? They dragged him uphill, he let himself be pushed all the way up the mountains, it’s not fair. The jury had noticed those irregularities and punished him, but with a strange penalty mechanism that allowed him to become the first in the rankings. Incredible! «Cecchino» was indignant. And so was Coppi who didn’t even start the next day, packed his bags and went home in protest. In Milan, «Cecchino» arrived 11 seconds behind Magni, but had the satisfaction of hearing the crowd booing the winner. People always know where justice lies.

- Byline Andrea Schianchi
(translated from Italian)

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The 90 Year Old Cyclist : Benjamin Piovesan

· 2023-12-16

This is a film portrait of Florent Piovesan’s grandfather, Benjamin Piovesan, illustrated through his love of cycling. Benjamin immigrated to France, at the end of World War II, when he was 14 years old (approximately 1947) with his family who were looking for employment opportunities.

Growing up in France, Benjamin’s parents bought him a bike when he was young so he could come home to the family farm once a week from his work some 25 kilometers away. But then, life took over, and Benjamin didn’t ride for many years until his son, Patrick, got involved in serious cycling. Patrick bought his dad a road bike and Benjamin started cycling again.

Florent Piovesan:
“10 years ago I made a short documentary about my grandfather who was 80 at the time and still cycling everyday. The video was very well received and was even Staff Picked! This was my first proper short documentary and of course it was made with limited gear, experience and budget.”

The 90 Year Old Cyclist | A life portrait of my grandfather from Of Two Lands on Vimeo.

The History Of Cycling

· 2023-11-04

For many people, riding a bicycle was something they did as a kid, but it’s not something they did much of once they got into their teen years. For some, it’s because they got a car and could drive places instead of a bike. For others, it’s because they live in an area where bicycling isn’t an option—those out in rural areas with unpaved roads may not always be able to bike places. But with new inventions such as the electric bike and bicycles that are safer, more and more people are turning to bikes as a way of saving money and going green.

Bicycling was first introduced in the 1800s, and it quickly became very popular. However, the basic bicycle design can be traced back to 1493, when Gian Giacomo Caprotti sketched out the idea. Another version was built in France in 1791. However, what many people consider the first practical bicycle was created in 1817 by Karl von Drais, a German civil servant.

In 1868, the first documented bicycle race was held. Bikers racked 1,200 meters in the Park of Saint-Cloud in Paris.

In the U.S., bicycles were incredibly popular in the early 1900s. The oldest bicycle racing club, the St. Louis Cycling Club, was established in 1887 and continues to host races and other events today. However, by 1920, the practice of cycling quickly died out because of the automobile and the growth of larger suburbs. In Europe, cycling continued to go strong until the 1950s.

Today, though, more and more people are biking to work as a way of saving on gas, getting exercise, and because it’s fun.

Wikipedia: The History of Cycling – Brief history of the sport

History of the Bicycle – Where and how it was created

Cycling Timeline – Quick history of the bicycle and cycling

Fun Facts about the Bike – Including some historic information

Bicycle Museums – List of different museums around the world

source:

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