You gotta like Andy Hampsten. Here's what the only American to win the Giro d'Italia (1988) says about riding his bicycle:
“… And I ride my bike a lot. I love riding my bike. I raced for 20-some years and it was great. It was, by far, the most fun I've had. The best job I've ever had. I would almost have done it for free because I could ride my bike. I loved being outside. I loved seeing new things. I loved the adventure of riding. I loved the camaraderie. You just meet strangers on a bike and have some fun. It is just fun every time I go out on my bike.”
This quote comes at the end of a Q&A with Hampsten in May's Bicycling magazine by Bruce Hildenbrand. Hampsten, 46, talked about that amazing climb up the Gavia into a snowstorm that secured the pink jersey at the '88 Giro.
Fond memories
I wonder how many cyclists racing today will look back in 20 years and talk about how much fun they had riding their bikes. I hope they'll all have fond memories of cycling, but I imagine some of the athletes in the pressure cooker will suffer bike burnout.
How many cyclists from 20 years ago still ride their bikes regularly? I know of one, Greg LeMond, who rides in many charity events throughout the year. I'm sure there are others who aren't quite as high profile.
Bike touring
Hampsten, born in Columbus, Ohio, now makes his home in Boulder, Colorado, but spends a lot of time in Italy. That's where he is truly revered. It's also the home base for his bicycle touring company, Cinghiale Cycling.
It looks like they're offering five tours this summer, and according to the website, Hampsten cycles every one of them.
Bikes
Hampsten and his brother, Steve, also founded Hampsten Cycles in 1999. The bike builder, based in Seattle, designs and collaborates on bikes with other framebuilders. Some associates include Independent Fabrication, Kent Eriksen, Moots Cycles, Parlee Cycles, and Co-Motion.
When the 2008 Giro d'Italia starts on May 10, Dave Zabriskie on Slipstream Chipotle will probably be the highest ranked American at the starting line. The teams of Levi Leipheimer (Astana) and George Hincapie (High Road) were not invited to the three-week stage race this year.
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