Women’s cycling goes way back. We all know that the first official world championships for women...

Women’s cycling goes way back. We all know that the first official world championships for women were in 1958 (Reims France) won by Elsy Jacobs from the Luxembourg. But that was not the start of women’s cycling. In 1868 it were 3 sisters from Bordeaux France, Amélie, Finette and Rosita who challenged each other. Keeping their last name secret as it was kind of a violation of public morals to race as a woman.

But is not what I want to share with you. There is an even better story. The story of Alfonsina Morini (Strada).

Alfonsina was the first and only woman who participated in the Giro d’Italia in 1924. That year she had won 36 races and organizer Emilio Colombo invited her as most of the big teams boycotted the Giro. He thought that this stunt would give more attention to the race and he was right!

Elite Ciao " Martine Bras " Alfonsina Morini – the only woman who did the Giro

This is a fantastic story, and Dutch cyclist Martine Bras tells it really well!

12 months ago Sarah Connolly 7 comments 0 recs |

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I love the story of Alfonsina, whoever tells it

but yes, Martine does an excellent job. On the other hand, I hadn’t heard of Amélie, Finette and Rosita & would love to know more…

"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne

by civetta on Jun 2, 2011 6:26 PM EDT reply actions

Yup, calling fmk ....

There’s a blogpost in Dutch that gives a brief summary, and an odd list of early results on a Belgian forum. Really odd, because the first name/pseudonym stuff makes it sound a bit Puerto-ish. Then there’s a bit more info on Miss America at velo-club, and a short piece on the first women’s Tour de France here and that’s about all I can see.

by Monty. on Jun 2, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

calling fmk ….

Yeah but what I want to know is what are you calling me?

There’s some stuff on women’s cycling in the US in Nye’s Heart of Lions, 70s and 80s I think. You want me to boil it down one day?

And should I do the Beryl Burton book one day? Can never decide, as I never much like the British domestic scene. (Is it cause I is Irish?)

Not much sure of early early days. Is menetioned about some of the eary races being mixed fields, but that’s about all I know. Want to know more one day. And remember those ladies Sixes mentioned in the Mile a Minute Murphy piece? Maybe I should try and contact Nye one day.

Thanx for sharing that Strada story, really did want to know more about her. Only saw her name for the first time last year, in Fothers’ Cyclodedia. IIRC the Strada chapter from Chariman Bill’s Giro book is online … half a mo while I check my extended memory … yup, and with pix too

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Jun 3, 2011 6:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I would LOVE you do work your magic on any part of women's cycling history!

Heh, wondering if the old “please please please please please please please” thing will work here as well as it did with the Cat review!

And double yes please to Beryl Burton story! if only for the offering the bloke a sweetie as she overtook him aspect!

I’d love to know more about the earliest days, and all the things Monty linked to as well.

These links you’re all giving me are so fab, thanks x 100!

by Sarah Connolly on Jun 3, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Will get round to them in due course then. Next few weeks are busy, with a lot of new books out and some good interviews to come

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Jun 6, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I just sort of assumed

that on the fmk bookshelf there would be a couple or three tatty old harbacks, out of print since the fifties, that had the whole story

by Monty. on Jun 5, 2011 6:28 AM EDT up reply actions

My bookshelf is weird. Serendipity fills it. If I find it in a bookshop, I try to buy it, but buying online all the stuff I’d want would bankrupt me …

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Jun 6, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions