That's what I called it, for over twenty years, when I spoke with the owner, my friend Real Le Bel in Quebec, Canada: The Blue Bobet.
I first saw it when my wife and I visited Real and the love of his life, Marie-France, in Quebec on what I've always thought of as the second half of our honeymoon. Real had purchased the entire contents of the Armand Gagne bike shop in Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers) near Quebec, and the blue Bobet racing bike was one of the prizes. The Gagne shop must have held it in high esteem, for as the photos will attest, it has been preserved through the decades in pristine condition. I am unsure whether it was Gagne or Real who taped the bars to match the lovely Clement sew ups; but the orange/salmon colors contrast beautifully with the sky blue paint.
Perhaps the most unique feature of this bike is the transfer on the seat tube. Instead of the typical image of Bobet himself, we find that of Raymond Poulidor, known affectionately as "Pou-Pou," or "the eternal second." France loved the underdog Poulidor, who never won the Tour de France, although he placed second three times. Poulidor won the Milan San-Remo race in 1961, giving Mercier (the maker of the Bobet bicycles) permission to call him "Champion of France" on the transfer. Based on the Poulidor win, I imagine my bike dates from the early to mid-1960s.
Components include Stronglight, Mafac, Huret derailleurs, Campagnolo hubs, and a Henri Gauthier saddle.
Real promised me that the blue Bobet would be mine one day. Sadly, it did not find its way to my home until I lost my good friend, whose photo is included here with that of Bobet and Poulidor.
I first saw it when my wife and I visited Real and the love of his life, Marie-France, in Quebec on what I've always thought of as the second half of our honeymoon. Real had purchased the entire contents of the Armand Gagne bike shop in Trois Rivieres (Three Rivers) near Quebec, and the blue Bobet racing bike was one of the prizes. The Gagne shop must have held it in high esteem, for as the photos will attest, it has been preserved through the decades in pristine condition. I am unsure whether it was Gagne or Real who taped the bars to match the lovely Clement sew ups; but the orange/salmon colors contrast beautifully with the sky blue paint.
Perhaps the most unique feature of this bike is the transfer on the seat tube. Instead of the typical image of Bobet himself, we find that of Raymond Poulidor, known affectionately as "Pou-Pou," or "the eternal second." France loved the underdog Poulidor, who never won the Tour de France, although he placed second three times. Poulidor won the Milan San-Remo race in 1961, giving Mercier (the maker of the Bobet bicycles) permission to call him "Champion of France" on the transfer. Based on the Poulidor win, I imagine my bike dates from the early to mid-1960s.
Components include Stronglight, Mafac, Huret derailleurs, Campagnolo hubs, and a Henri Gauthier saddle.
Real promised me that the blue Bobet would be mine one day. Sadly, it did not find its way to my home until I lost my good friend, whose photo is included here with that of Bobet and Poulidor.
The Blue Bobet ©Daniel Dahlquist