The Cobblestone Classic
I was on a shoot recently with photographer Ian McCausland, and the subject of cyling came up in conversation – which isn’t necessarily unusual, because Ian knows I am a cycling nut, and is something of a cycling nut himself. Ian is also one of those rare people who can talk to anybody about anything. On shoots, I’ve seen him talk to a gorgeous male ballet dancer in hot pink underwear as easily and naturally as a seventy year-old breast cancer survivor from Norway House First Nation.
When Ian mentioned he had some old film (yes kids, real film) he’d come across of the Winnipeg Cobblestone Classic, I almost peed my pants. Here are just a couple of shots he’s found so far and was kind enough to share.
Sweet.
The Cobblestone Classic was a circuit race held in the Winnipeg Exchange District in the late 1980’s and early 90’s, back when I was busy chasing college boys (who were much slower and easier to catch than bike racers). I’d heard about the races and assumed they were off-the-grid events featuring the finest in crazy Winnipeg bike couriers.
From what I can gather, it was a legit race sponsored by 7-11 and attended by their then “A” race team, as well as other mid-tier pro teams. I think it was part of the Coors Classic series of races, but I’ve found little to no information online. I did find this picture of the 1991 race, posted by one Blair Saunders. I was unable to contact him, so I hope he doesn’t mind me showing it to you.
I wanted to show it because according to the caption, the photo includes Mr. Saunders, Roberto Gagiolli, and none other than Alex Steida. In addition to being on the 7-11 Team in 1991, Alex Steida was also the first North American to win the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.
That’s pro racing, people. Right here in Winnipeg. How cool is that? I know there are people out there who know lots more about these races – I’d love to hear your stories. I think this stuff is The Shit.
Thanks Ian for digging out these cool shots and sharing them with us!
very cool.
If you wrote an article about life we’d all reach eninthtelmeng.
Well, I couldn’t tell you much about who was at those races – I was just a youngling. I can, however, tell you that I probably nearly ended Alex Steida’s career.
As I’ve learned with my own son, little boys sometimes do impulsive, some might even say stupid things, for no apparent reason other than to tempt fate. Once, while my family and I were spectating at a Cobblestone Classic, right at the blind exit of a corner, I rolled a large rock right into the middle of the road. My mother shrieked “Graham No!”, but it was too late. She tried once to dart into the road to pick up the rock but a pack of racers came streaking around the corner and she had to jump back to the curb. She was successful the second time and managed to get the booby trap off the road just before the next group came by.
Thanks for keeping me, Mom.
Great story Graham! It’s cool that your mom took you to watch the race (and removed said booby trap). My son did something similar last year at the Ass Park crits. I turned my back to talk to someone, then noticed he was throwing sticks onto the course. I guess boys just love carnage.
Somehow this needs to be resurrected.
I think the MCA page on Facebook has a BW Coors CC pics as well. Erick Oland could probably bring us up to speed on it all.
It’s cool that there was racing at this level here.
Just checked it out…that’s awesome. Just so happens I have a massage booked today right beside CPR. Perhaps I’ll see if he’s in. Thanks Kevin!
Resurrection would be cool.
You should also talk with RRR Mike about that race too…back in the day when he weighed his food and was THE SHIT. He’s still the shit.
The road race for it was held in Brandon one year and I was volunteering.. (super sweet course up the hills 2-3 times, over 3 bridges, and through the downtown buildings). Before the race, I got asked by Roberto G to ride with him to the 7-11, so he could find it. His english was real bad, but he gave me a water bottle for my help, and I was happy…
Yeah – I remember the Cobblestone Classic, though never raced in it (or even showed up to spectate). Was too busy (stupidly) focussing on marathon running at the time. If I’m not mistaken, Edie F used to race in the CC. Wonder if she has any memories to share….
It’d be awesome to bring an event like this back!
Yeah, that would be fun.
Many attempts have been made to try and resurect the CC over the years, including an idea to do it on the “new” cobbles around the F-f-f-f-f-orks. Road closure costs were a fortune; ergo, parking lot crits – and even now those are hard to come by.
Look for Randy, Andy, Lindsay, Louis, Walter, Derek, Eric, and whole bunch of locals in the race.
Perhaps show the film as a short, old style, before the spring bike-film fest that Tim et al. puts on. Neil F. is a card carrying projectionist.
What film?
Apparently there has been some interest in a downtown crit as part of Cyclovia, held by the Downtown Biz. That would be cool, as I suspect the streets may already have closures, and/or therefore be covered by the organizers (ie. The Biz)…
I don’t think that Cyclovia wants to have too much to do with cycling. Yeah…I know, but most of the cycling there is in the name.
It’s all about money. $7000 or whatever some road closures would cost is not a major expense in this. You need good prize money/appearance money to attract any fast riders and you need to compensate travel expenses and pay their hotels.
I have a bit of info for you….. Jim Obrien brought this race to Winnipeg and it ran for two years. He was an amazing promoter and had some big connections.
I was in one of them but I had really finished cycling by then and wasn’t in good shape. The first year was won by Leonard Harvey Nitz. The second year was won by Brian Walton from BC. I was in this one and finished in the pack but the fun part for me was that they also had a “side Bar’ race that was pretty exciting. It was the day after and it was ONE LAP, ( each lap was about 2K) . Everyone had to have one foot on the ground to start and it was a mass sprint for one lap. I knew the wheel I wanted to be on and I stuck to him like glue. It was Gene Samuelson from Jamaica. He was super fast and a great bike handler. I stuck with him until the last corner where he accelerated for the win. I ended up 4th !
I’ve got a great picture of my friend Alex Steida and Chris Wilberg from Alberta on my facebook page and your are welcome to post it if you like.
Hi ! I just did a post about the Cobblestone Classic at my blog West End Dumplings ! http://westenddumplings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/tour-de-winnipeg-remembering.html It was cobbled together (pun intended) from old newspaper stories, which don’ t always get the full story, so if you notice something amiss please let me know.
One of last Cobblestone Classics 93 or 94 had Alison Sydor, Clara Hughes racing for the Kahlua Race Team, even Tanya D raced, not her best at Crits..
They had Amateur classes, with lots of locals, even had a media and cycle cops racing.
Canadian Tire dropped the sponsorship and the series fell apart, only the Vancouver race remained.
I used to go watch this race as my friends would race in it from Otttawa Bicycle Club – hte most memorable year was when Brian Walton (Fresh off his time trial win at Tour De Romandie I think) lapped the entire field in about 10 laps, riding like a metronome – no upper body movement, never out of the saddle just grinding through about 5km/hr faster than the pack.
One year, Gord Fraser won a sprint prime for a futon and i spilled my beer all over it at a pub after the race -ooops sorry.
Found this website with a bunch of info…….westenddumplings.blogspot.com
Hi Andrea.
This is Blair Saunders, and I approve of the photo you were able to find of me. I did all but maybe one of the editions, finishing in the money one way or another each time. My highest finish was 2nd in 1993? If you need any more photos or info, just holler.