Cyclists are having a little break and drinking beer at Tour de France 1921

From our special 21st centurian point of view, it's hard to imagine the atmosphere of Tour de France in 1921, when it seemed totally normal to have a little break and some drink during the race.

Although Tour de France was always a professional race, some solutions seem in our very modern eyes a bit amateur-ish. Like the custom, that cyclists, especially the independent riders, had to care about themselves when it came to nuitrition and accomodation.

Beer drinking cyclists having a litle break at Tour de Framce 1921
Having a little break at Tour de France 1921

During a Tour de France stage, cyclists had to check in at several checkpoints. Because small cafees and taverns were the centrum of local social life even in small towns and villages, also often the headquarters of local sport associations, it seemed obvious to use these places as checkpoints and sort of feed zones.

Thus it is little wonder, that Henri Collé and Charles Parel had a little break on the steps of a tavern during Tour de France 1921.

Nonetheless, it's quite interesting how many cyclists  are immortalized by only one, but very popular vintage images.

Henri Collé (1893-1976), a Swiss rider, had only one victory during his professional career, a one-day event up the Mont Blanc in 1922. However, he was quite good at Tour de France,  for example in 1923, he finished 6th in general classification.

Charles Parel (1893-1981) was also a Swiss cyclist, but we know  about him only, that he participated in Tour de France 1921. As we can see him enjoying his beer at the race.

Tour de France 1921 was won by Leon Scieur before Hector Heusghem and Honoré Barthélemy (you know, the csclist with the glass eye).


Do you like stories and images from the history of Tour de France?

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TOUR DE FRWNCE IN THE 1920S

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If you like to read more about cycling and bicycle in a wider social-cultural-historical comtext, you migh find some posts on Cycling Revolution subproject of PelotonTales blog interesting.


Also, you cam check out the official website of Anita Pethő, the author of PelotonTales blog.