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Remembering two cycling pioneers

Published: Jan. 17, 2003

The father of American randonneurs, Jim Konski, died of natural causeson December 17 at James Square Health & Rehabilitation Centre in Syracuse,New York. He was 85.The origins of Konski’s interest in randonnées, the highly popularEuropean form of competitive bike touring, was his friendship with Britishcycling journalist J.B. Wadley in the early 1970s. Wadley was one of thefirst Brits to ride (and write about) Paris-Brest-Paris, which was a probike race from 1891 to 1951. It was revived as a randonnée in 1961and has become that discipline’s Tour de France.Konski not only founded The International Randonneurs, he started Syracuse’sOnondaga Cycling Club, which organized the first British-style time trialsof 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours.Born in New York City, Konski graduated from the University of Missouri,He was a past national director of the American Society of Civil Engineersand a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He is survived by his longtimecompanion, Frances Bradford, his two daughters and four grandchildren.Cancer claims British great Metcalfe at 64
One of Britain’s best-known and well-liked racing cyclists, ArthurMetcalfe, died from cancer on December 11. He was 64. Metcalfe, who racedas a professional for the domestic Carlton Cycles squad, twice competedin the Tour de France. He finished 69th in the 1967 Tour, in which hisGreat Britain team leader Tom Simpson died while climbing Mont Ventoux.Metcalfe is best remembered for his “double” in his last year as anamateur, 1966, when he became the only man to win both the national roadrace championship and the British Best All-Rounder title — a competitionbased on average speeds in time trials of 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours.When a broken pelvis ended his pro career in 1971, Metcalfe became a teammanager for TI Raleigh, the successor to the Carlton team.Born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Metcalfe lived in nearby Harrogate for thepast 30 years and most recently worked as a financial adviser. He is survivedby his third wife, Anne.