CyclingNews in Benin

As a former bicycle racer, I was intrigued one day by the sight of a young cyclist dodging potholes and mopeds on the congested streets of Cotonou. That rekindled my cycling flame, one thing led to another, and I’ve somehow become an assistant coach of the Beninese National Cycling team. Man, you never know what Peace Corps will deliver.

I’ve been working on a series of articles for www.cyclingnews.com, and the first article went up today. Click here to check it out.

While bicycle racing in a country with few paved roads might seem a bit like bobsled racing in Jamaica, I’ve been impressed with the tenacity and grit of these athletes.

These are some of my favorite shots from my return to the world of skinny tires:

Cotonou paceline

like I said, grit and determination

Augustin goes on the attack.

faster than most of the mopeds in Cotonou

And a few great vintage images from the collection of Mustafa Saka, Benin’s top cyclist in the 1980’s.

riders take to the start of the 1987 Beninese Independence Day road race

Saka receives a new bike for winning the ‘87 Independence Day race

the Beninese National Team prior to the Tour du Benin in the 1990’s

friends and fans celebrate Saka’s first victory in the early 1980’s