Dear Karl, December 10, 1974
Just thought I’d let you get to know a little more about one of Raleigh’s “A” Team riders.
Enclosed is a copy of my Sponsorship Form.
I must point out that 1974 was only second complete season of racing. But like my first season, it was one of total immersion. I participated in virtually every major race on the Eastern Seaboard from West Palm Beach and New Orleans to Montreal and Quebec City. It was a season in which I made many new friends, and of course came to know much more about myself.
People everywhere, ask me, “How do you do it?” How do you get by? Do you work? Its not easy travelling all the time, looking for odd jobs, selling prizes, sleeping on couches, with my bags, wheels, and bike stashed in the corner of some strange room. But that is how I get by and I’m a better rider because of it. Because I race as often I can against the best this country has to offer.
This Winter I am back in San Diego with three goals to get me ready for the next year. Unfortunately I have only accomplished one so far, because the others are contingent upon money, and I have yet to find a full time job. My racing career started here in 1971, and lasted two and half months that year and not much longer in 1972. Only the local San Diego riders remember me as the bearded, long haired overweight hippie, “Off the back” on my 61cm Raleigh Pro, (about 1.5 inches too big). Now they all come to me for advice. They wonder, how did I become such a good rider in such a short time. I was a guest at a recent SDBC meeting and realized once again how fortunate I was to pursue my racing in the East, with such a fine club, CRCof A and sponsor Raleigh. These people have no idea how serious the sport is, or how much it is growing, or how lucky they are to have such a big sponsor, Shimano.
My plans now are to stay here and ride the Tour of Baja, April 23-28 before returning East for the remainder of the season. Have you any recent news as to when I will receive a team issue bike? (I would not get my Team Issue Raleigh for another year)
Hope you enjoy the Holiday Season.
(I was broke looking for a job sleeping on couches, saying “Put a camera on me right now because I am going to end up racing around the world again some how this year. In February I landed a great job and then quit for the chance to race in South Africa in March, then back to the Tour of Ireland in August.)
Regards,
Bill Humphreys