We made a post here last week looking for a few riders who have been around for a few moons. It seems that our cycling community can feel somewhat transient at times as riders come and go rather quickly.

How about someone who’s been around a few years? We’re not talking like 10, or 20 years, but how about nearly 40 laps around the sun! Long before many of use were in Grade School, or even diapers for that matter (note: Ron Jensen). Imagine what’s been seen in a 40 year cycling span… Wool jerseys, 10 speeds (total, not just rear cassette!), down tube shifters, hair nets, and wooden shoe soles.

To get the full scoop we caught up with Richard Fisher, a long time Valley cyclist, to see what things were really like. By the way, if you want to see some of Richards “antiques” as he calls them, stop by Bicycle Haus and look in some of the cases at the front of the store.

Velocity Group Cycling: When did you first begin riding in Arizona? Why?

Richard Fisher: When I met Gene Berlatsky and others on the canal bank near the Biltmore. I had a three speed and then bought my first 10 speed bike, a Motobecane Mirage and started riding with the Arizona Bicycle Club. I always liked riding a bike and this was the impetus for me to get in better shape. I was 30 pounds heavier than I am now.

VGC: We know that Phoenix has grown dramatically in recent years. What were the main routes and rides of choice back in the 1970’s?

RF: The ABC had rides every Sunday to various restaurants plus some longer rides and overnighters. One was to Casa Grande overnight and one to the Grand Canyon. Another was to Wupatki National Monument.

VGC: How far north could you ride on paved roads? Was Bartlett Lake accessible?

RF: We did not ride to Bartlett Lake. The summer Saturday ride with the Phoenix Wheelmen started at 44th and Camelback. We rode up 44th to McDonald, Tatum to Mockingbird and through Paradise Valley to the Indian Bend Golf course. After a water stop and regroup, back the same route to the Biltmore for refreshments and then back to the start. The total was 30 miles and most of us rode to the start. I rode from Tempe so I would get 50 miles.

From Labor Day to Memorial Day the regular ride was Tortilla Flat. We met at the old Superstition Inn in Apache Junction and most of us would go up the hill beyond Tortilla Flat for about 45 miles total.

We would sometimes meet at ASU and ride to Casa Grande on Sundays. About 100 miles. Another ride we made twice a year (spring and fall) was Skull Valley. We met at Kirkland Junction and rode through Kirkland, Skull Valley to Prescott. After lunch in Prescott we went down the White Spar back to Kirkland Junction.

There was the Mining Country loop, Florence Junction to Globe and back, Payson to Flagstaff and back. Also to Wickenburg and back.

A few others we did occasionally.

VGC: Which teams or groups have you been affiliated with?

RF: Arizona Bicycle Club, Phoenix Wheelmen, Phoenix Consumers Cycling Club. ABLA, USCF.

VGC: What were the group rides that existed at that time? Was BOS around yet?

RF: After a few years the summer ride through PV became a hassle because of stop signs and traffic signals so we started meeting at Big Surf in Tempe for a ride to Saguaro Lake. We went out McKellips to the Bush Highway to Saguaro Lake and then back the Bush to Usury Pass road to McKellips and back to Tempe. About 60 miles. Sometimes we would come back the Beeline to the Salt River Reservation and then home. Also we would ride to Cave Creek and Carefree. Pima Road did not exist. Later in the 1970’s we started meeting at Bikes of Scottsdale (editor: a bike shop long since closed… and how the BOS group ride got its name… now you know.) at Scottsdale and Shea Blvd. We first rode to Rio Verde because Pima did not go north past Happy Valley. After Pima was built we started riding to the Carefree Highway and the junction to Bartlett and Seven Springs. Bikes of Scottsdale closed but the ride kept on.

VGC: Who were the big name local racers of the 1970’s?

RF: Karl Hoff had won the State Championship a couple of times and had a bike shop on Encanto near Grand Avenue. There was Ron Iverson, Bill Anthony, Tom and Mike Nesdill, John Timbers of Tucson, also State Champion. He started the Vuelta de Bisbee. Other men were Alan Johnson, Alan Roche, Tim Wilson, Doug Braly, Tom Hayes, Eric Hales, Richard Siminski , Mark Trulson.

Theresa Mueller and Vicki Larsen were two women riders.

VGC: What was the Arizona racing calendar like back then? Did it still die out in the summertime?

RF: The first big race was Marana, then Mining Country and Mt. Lemmon. The State Championships were held at Mormon Lake. The Time Trial was on St. Mary’s Road near Flagstaff.

I also raced South Mountain, Thunderbird Park, Tombstone-Bisbee, Usery Pass. I won all the road races and was second in two time trials. One early and then the State Championship.

The races were early and the State’s pretty much finished the year until Turkey Day. This was a race around Thanksgiving Day.

VGC: Which races were your favorite?

RF: I liked Mining Country and Mt. Lemmon.

VGC: We know technology has advanced rapidly in the cycling industry since the mid-90’s. Lighter, stronger, stiffer, way more gears, etc. What type of bike were you on 30 years ago?

RF: I raced on a Schwinn Paramount and a Bob Jackson. I bought a Masi Gran Criterium in 1974 but never raced it. I bought a Colnago in 1976. It was a great bike. I have had quite a few others and now have a Colnago C50, A Pinarello Paris, and just got a Pinarello Prince. I always use Campy and the Prince has Super Record 11 speed. It is the best bike I’ve owned. I always had steel bikes until 2000 when I bought a Colnago C40.

VGC: Thank you for your time Richard. Are there any last words or stories as we wrap up?

RF: When I started to ride our equipment was poor compared to today. Most racers used sew-up tires and the clinchers were 27 inch so to switch wheels you had to readjust brakes. Most racers had a bike to train on and another to race. Cranks were all 170mm and bars were 38cm. Bikes only had one bottle cage mount. We used frame pumps. Shorts were wool and had real chamois which had to be greased after washing. Jerseys were wool and had to be hand washed. We put plastic bags over our toes inside our shoes to keep them warm. Sometimes newspapers or grocery bags inside jerseys in cold weather. Cleats had to be nailed on shoes and you had to make sure the nails did not come through to your feet. Most of the shoes were leather with leather soles. Some shoes had wooden soles.

VGC: Thanks Richard, we appreciate your time.