Cycling fans' most precious souvenirs revealed
Cyclists recount their most coveted cycling-related items, including autographed clothing, scars and even a zip tie and a cigarette packet...
As a rule, cyclists are great collectors of things: inner tubes awaiting repair, worn-out allen keys, 'just in case' chain links, old jerseys and bikes, of course.
However, among the jumble of bike parts and memorabilia, there is usually something that a cyclist hold most dear.
We recently asked Cycling Weekly readers to tell us what their most cherished cycling souvenir is. Here are a selection of answers, brought to you in association with Decathlon.
Do you have a cherished cycling souvenir? Let us know in the comments section below
Cadel Evans (after much begging) gave my daughter the cap off his head, then he signed it for her. The next day we met him again in Armagh and he invited our daughter to the team bus to meet everyone in Team BMC. Great fella.
Andrew Callaghan
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1073261129451506&set=p.1073261129451506&type=3&theater
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A union flag signed by Sir Brad, Owain Doull, Ed Clancy and Stephen Burke, straight after their gold-medal-winning team pursuit in Rio.
Matthew Hunt
Had the pleasure of meeting Enrico Gasparotto just after he had become Italian national champion. We were meeting another Italian at the airport, but he wanted to travel to the hotel with me, so that I could teach him some "bad words", as the peloton apparently swears in English. Later that week he gave me a Liquigas Italian champion’s jersey, signed, as a thank you. Still got it, and the memories of a magical week.
Peter Davies
My dad's metal tyre lever, which was his dad's before him – I will pass it on to my son. Much better than any plastic ones I've ever had.
Matthew Norton
Have a cap that Bradley Wiggins used in 2007 while riding for Cofidis... got it after his warm-up pre the prologue, there wasn't a crowd around his team bus at all.
David Coleman O’Keeffe
A four-inch scar on my inside right leg. Just conquered a climb, chain snapped, and the chainring ripped me wide open. Sore and bloody.
Joel Mahon
A packet of fags signed by Axel Merckx.
George Donnelly
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154710245664402&set=p.10154710245664402&type=3&theater
A library record card for Tommy Simpson's 'Cycling is my Life', completed and signed by the great man himself.
Huw Price
We were at the Tour de Romandie in 2012, rooting for Bradley Wiggins. We were standing near the front on the final presentation when he won. He was handed a cane box of goodies from the local (apparently famous) deli and he came to the end of the stage and handed it down to me. We were obviously very thrilled, although to be fair the contents were obviously not actually intended to be eaten as it was impossible to slice the extremely stale bread! We still have the cane box however, which is a treasured possession and known as 'Brad's Box'.
Helen Page
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154234104938235&set=p.10154234104938235&type=3&theater
My massive stack of Cycling Weekly magazines, also a massive Pizza Hut box given to me by BMC after 2014 Tour de France stage 21 on the Champs and the bill that adds up to over €400.
Ben Willson
My two bikes as I've made some great friends and great memories on both. Don't need a souvenir.
Brian Degnan
My finishers medals from the charity fundraiser for dog rescues I completed this year raising over £2K!
Ritchie Greenwood
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154766947530799&set=p.10154766947530799&type=3&theater
Signed Beryl Burton book and a jersey from the Indian national railway team.
Gregory Ashley
My old, discarded, but never forgotten Carradice camper longflap.
Chris Hazael
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10211076801825188&set=p.10211076801825188&type=3&theater
I worked at the Tour of California this year for Champion System. My job for the week was printing the leaders’ jerseys. Managed to get myself a signed Julian Alaphilippe yellow jersey and a signed Peter Sagan green jersey. Also brought back a signed Megan Guarnier yellow jersey from the women's race for my sister.
Simon Acker
My Kwaremont glass from my trip to the Tour of Flanders. Going back next year to get another one! and maybe ride it again!
Paul Dutton
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154008607097091&set=p.10154008607097091&type=3&theater
I keep a blue zip-tie from my first 100-mile ride, which was for the Alzheimer’s Society, on my handlebars.
Richard Bystry
My dad's early 1950's Williamson which he had built for him which I had refurbished a couple of years ago.
Tim Castle
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1069451103164649&set=p.1069451103164649&type=3&theater
My cycling proficiency certificate from 1984.
Emma Wiles
A joke that Paul Sherwen told me!
David Jones
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