that was then
this is now
Today I read about Levi’s victory in the Prologue and I invested about 3 minutes reading the official Velo News guide to the 2007 Amgen Tour of California. Don’t get me wrong, I like pro cycling, I like bike racing, and if I had cable TV I’d be watching this race. And it’s great to have the big guns from the pro tour racing here on US Soil. But then I stumbled upon my official 1971 Souvenir Program from the first Tour of California and it put things in perspective for me. Mr. Eric Zo mailed it to me a few years ago and it’s been waiting quietly in my bike library for its chance to shine…maybe this is its chance, although it holds some gems that would look good in kickstand.
The official vehicle of the 1971 Tour was the Ford Pinto. No joke. Imagine the respect the race officials would get today hanging out of a Pinto. The stage winners were awarded $50 - $75. The overall winner was given merchandise, trophy and flowers totaling $325. The total prize money for the 10 stage race was $5462. Racers wore “hairnets” and rode steel bikes, rocked toe clips and non-aero brake cables were sprouting all over the place. Those were the days.
Compare that to the prize money today. The cost of putting on a big name stage race these days is up there, up there somewhere, someplace I know nothing about. But I have no doubt the title sponsor coughs up millions. I was planning on tossing the 2007 Guide on the table at work, but now I think I’ll keep it on the shelf next to my 1971 program.
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