Ray Florman, 1-handed racer, mechanic

[DebW]

I just googled Ray Florman and took a trip down memory lane, so I have to share. My connection with him is that in 1973 I worked at Florissant Cycle, which he had recently sold to Bill Logan. He also owned A-1 Cycles in St. Louis, and we operated as kind of a sister shop and would trade bikes with him on occassion. So I saw him every once in a while - a older guy with only one hand who was a superbe mechanic and rumored to have been a fine racer. He sold his own line of bikes called "Raysport".

http://www.stlbiking.com/ray_florman.htm

Florman was born in 1917 without a left hand. He won his first bike race in 1932 at age 15. He was the Missouri state champion in 1936 and 1937. He came close to making the 1948 olympic team. He opened A-1 Bicycles Sales in 1953. Florman coached many young cyclist, including John Howard, winner of 6 national championships and the 1971 PanAm road race. Florman returned to racing and, in 1998, at age 81, he became National Champion in his age group. Ray Florman died March 26, 2001 at age 84.

BTW, the Missouri State road race champion in 1974 was the owner of my shop. The following year the race was won by a guy who worked in, and later managed, our shop. Please excuse my nostalgia. Ray Florman's story is pretty amazing, and he was quite the cycling legend in St. Louis.

[Popoki_Nui]

Quite a story. Amazing he could ride so well one-handed, especially climbing and sprinting. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[East Hill]

DebW, were you reminded by this:

"RARE!!**-1975 62cm RAYSPORT SUPER CORSA-**!!RARE"
item on eBay? It sold for a paltry $300.

An interesting story about what people can do, even with handicaps.

East Hill

[Xrayted]

Great story Deb! Inspiring. Thanks.