In a previous post, I mentioned how the cycling bug often inspires people to come back, after a lay off of 5, 10 or 20 years. I’ve heard many people say who they got back into cycling after a long break (for whatever reason). Often on coming back to cycling, people say they enjoy it more than ever.
In the case of many professional cyclists, cycling becomes a job – a routine. Countless miles and no break from the ‘bubble’ which surrounds the almost year long caravan. Whilst something like the Tour de France can seem glamorous, we forget the year long training.
Therefore, I was interested to hear how Flavio got back into cycling after a break of nearly 25 years. When chatting with him, (see: Interview part 1) one thing was clear – he had a great passion for cycling, undimmed and if anything as strong as when he was pro.
Q How much Have you enjoyed coming back to cycling after a break of 25 years?
I think it has been a cure for my life. It has given me inspiration of doing something. Between these 20 years I did something for my sons. I pushed my competitive ego into them. – Playing football So at the end of all that – at the end of last year I was redundant from sport. It was my family who gave me the interest to get back being fit. I like to be fit onto the way to work. Then I start coming to work and I see some people on a racing bike, I was just trying to get on the wheels of other commuters with my town bike, really struggling. Then going back home I would do a longer loop, just to see what it feels like. And I always remember calling my son and I was down in Eynsham and I said. “I have the same sensation as when I used to train and I really like it.” and after that it was all history.
Flavio’s famous town bike. He tells me it cost him £1.50 to rescue from a skip. It’s done ‘hundreds of miles. At one time the bottom bracket was completely bust. It just shows, it’s the person who rides the bike, not the bike itself which is important. (note San Pellegrino in bottle cage.)
I went to ride with Oxford University. They accept me and I go for a ride. Actually, before they left I was sitting on the other side of the road pretending that my mates hadn’t turned up. But, actually I was watching to see when they were going! But, they accepted me for ride. They tried to drop me because I turned up on a town bike in my gym shoes and Oxford United top. But, they couldn’t! The guys were pushing to try and drop me. But afterward it was nice to talk to the guys.
(I remember Steve McKeever telling a version of this story, and thought it was a great cycling story. He said the guys didn’t realise who they were trying to drop…)
nice interview – flavio’s my hero! i remeber trying to drop him on that ride – what he won’t tell you is that he bought no food and did 80 miles, he also hasn’t mentioned how many times he forgot his shoes!
I’m so glad to see that Flavio is Back!!!
I’m from his family’s hometown in Italy and I know him since he was an amateur.
My Dad Carlo used to be a great, huge fan of him.
OMG: he was such a pure natural talent!!!
Hope to catch up with Flavio again one day.
Franco
Earlier in the year, I added my name to the long list of those beaten in a bike race by Flavio…
http://www.beaconrcc.org.uk/open_races/lmtt/2008_results.html
Tejvan, Maybe in 2009 you should ride it? It’s a great course and being quite hilly I would imagine you would do well…
I was on the back of the OUCC pack that day when Flavio first jumped on. I remember him telling me not to hang too close behind him because his brakes didn’t really work – and I thought to myself, ‘so I’m supposed to have you behind me then?’
Months later, I happened to be in a local shop the day he bought himself a proper road bike – and I knew that we were all doomed!
He rapidly became a true legend, and taught the team loads of stuff. I remember sitting in his coffee shop being instructed in a grand team plan for an upcoming race – one I knew I’d just be struggling to not get dropped on. But he was always incredibly enthusiastic about it all.
Now in my post-Oxford days, I lament the shoddy rotations of the local rides and long for a proper Flavio Zappi two-up paceline rotation!
Echelon Tom! Echelon!
Thanks for posting this – very entertaining. Flavio is clearly a real character and a credit to cycling. Hope you keep up the friendship and report more stories!