Cheeky bl**dy Americans!

[Hilldodger]

Am doing more research into the racing career of Fred Wood, multi world champion in the 1880's and arguably the greatest ride of the era. He was from Leicester, of course

In 1886 he went to America and beat every one of their top riders at some point. However, at one meeting he got up out of bed, against Doctors orders, and raced Rowe, the American champion, who beat him by 2 yards. The organisers accused Fred of 'loafing' and docked him $20!

The pair met many times over the next few years and Rowe didn't beat Wood once

 

[downfader]

Does not compare to the UCI and Faure imho. Faure turns up on a 'bent and smashed the hour record only for the UCI to rule that it is not a 'bike'.

Yeah the UCI have gone a bit "reasonably priced car" (ala Top Gear) havent they

Oh and what is Loafing?

 

[theloafer]

its what i try and do all day at work...lol..

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Oh and what is Loafing?

i'm guessing it's not trying hard enough, for possibly nefarious reasons (betting scam etc)

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Oh and what is Loafing?

Naw - it's eating "bread" during the race.

 

[Chrisz]

Oh and what is Loafing?

As in wearing loafers and dossing around the place doing nothing, not pulling one's weight, being a lazy ba2tard.

Now that that's explained I might loaf off to the shed for some tinkering (lots of washing up to do in the kitchen)

 

[Maz]

Someone needs to update the 'Fred Wood' link on this wiki page. It leads to another Fred Wood who was an Australian Rugby player.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Leicester

 

[Keith Oates]

It could have been worse and linked him to a football player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!