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Ride With Bob Roll

5.9K views 26 replies 17 participants last post by  themanmonkey  
#1 ·
I met and rode with Bob Roll yesterday 06/04/09 and would like to say he's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Very personable and humble as he droppped me coming back at 35 mph:(

Seriously, great guy! He even signed my calf:thumbsup:
 

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#10 ·
photorider said:
Hey Smiley, your story would be worth while if it involved mountain biking! :confused:
I guess you aren't aware of Bobke's history as a MTB pro. Never really a top finisher, but was a major personality on the off-road world circuit as a fave of fans and riders. I'd recommend reading Bobke II:The Misadventures of Bob Roll before commenting on his history as a mountain biker. Here he is in his Pro-Flex days.

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gVok0IyVfxA/RxVrhmqK1vI/AAAAAAAABJ8/-QAirDJ4Aig/s1600-h/bob_travis.jpg
 
#13 ·
Very cool. I'm jealous!

Bob Roll having nothing to do with mountain biking? :rolleyes: Sure wish they'd give him more air time, getting really tired of Phil and Paul all the time, when Bobke's talking I pay much more attention.
 
#15 ·
themanmonkey said:
I guess you aren't aware of Bobke's history as a MTB pro. Never really a top finisher, but was a major personality on the off-road world circuit as a fave of fans and riders. I'd recommend reading Bobke II:The Misadventures of Bob Roll before commenting on his history as a mountain biker. Here he is in his Pro-Flex days.

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gVok0IyVfxA/RxVrhmqK1vI/AAAAAAAABJ8/-QAirDJ4Aig/s1600-h/bob_travis.jpg
Thanks ManMonkey, small folks like flame and have no idea who will drop the hammer on them on or off road;) I read Bobke's book about the "Tour Day France" and found it to be a very funny book!

Rideon,
Smiley
 
#16 ·
Bob was/is the real deal. Racing pro road and MTB at the same time, I can't think of anyone else that did that. Back in the day Bob would ride his Harley (pre-dentist popularity) to the races and camp out in a tent in the start area. I only met him a couple times years ago and he was a genuine cycling fanatic. It's good to hear that, as the kids say, "he's keeping it real."
 
#17 ·
Is that really Bob next to you on the bike? I ask because he is seen often around these parts, and never with a helmet. A few days ago, he was even wearing knee high tube socks, what a character.
 
#18 ·
Brewboy74 said:
Relax photorider, it's a good story and nice pictures as well. Must we get into another roadie versus mountain bike thing. Bobke is a legend......thanks for the post Captin.
Welcome:thumbsup:
 
#19 ·
cbrossman said:
Is that really Bob next to you on the bike? I ask because he is seen often around these parts, and never with a helmet. A few days ago, he was even wearing knee high tube socks, what a character.
Yep, that's him and he had a funky gold colored helmet that looked well used, but no tube socks on this ride:)
 
#20 ·
uriel81 said:
I just like the way that Bobke says: "Tour-Day-France". No freedom fries for this guy!

Here's his new cartoon series on Versus they were talking about on Dauphine on Sunday

http://www.versus.com/graphicnovel
Yep, one of my teammates is from Columbia and he was speaking in Spanish with Bobke and somebody in the crowd asked him if he spoke French too and he said NO cuz all they know how to say in France is NO:)

Here's another pic of Bobke and one of a 12-hr MTB 1st Place Podium to prove a roadie can race MTBs too for those out there who can't get their heads around the fact that road fitness/skill cross over into the woods too!
 

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#21 ·
uriel81 said:
Sie kann Deutsch mitsprechen LOL. You rated my best Lance pics:

Image


Image

"Hey Lance, which hand do you hold the donut in?"
If you asked Bobke who his top pick is to win the "Tour Day France" this year I'm sure he'd say Lance...RC
 
#24 ·
epic said:
Um.... ever heard of John Tomac?

Not to take away anything from Bob Roll though. :thumbsup:
Tomac never raced road and MTB at the SAME TIME that I ever heard of. The same time are the key words here. There have been a ton of folks that raced both in the same year, but no others at the elite pro level.
 
#26 ·
themanmonkey said:
Tomac never raced road and MTB at the SAME TIME that I ever heard of. The same time are the key words here. There have been a ton of folks that raced both in the same year, but no others at the elite pro level.
1990 - split contract with 7/11 and Yeti
1991 - Motorola and Raleigh

Honestly, I don't recall Bob Roll racing road and mountain at the same time. I think he retired from road with Z and then rode mountain for Lemond. I'm willing to be enlightened on that point though if I'm mistaken.