The Cheetah

While on RAGBRAI last week I came upon Nelson "The Cheetah" Vails riding solo. Most people know him from the movie "Quicksilver". He was originally a NYC bike messenger who went on to win silver for track sprint at the 1984 Olympic Games. Cool guy. It was an absolute honor to ride a few miles with him.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 2, 2016 at 5:18am

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on August 2, 2016 at 5:22am

What an awesome photo from his racing days. So great you were able to ride with him at RAGBRAI for a few miles. Didn't you mention there is a youth group he was riding with that's part of an organization that empowers youth to ride their bikes at RABRAI? Do you remember what it's called?

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 2, 2016 at 5:27am

http://ragbrai.com/2016/07/19/meet-and-ride-with-olympic-cycling-ch...

More: http://www.bikenyc.org/blog/interview-nyc-bike-icon-nelson-cheetah-...

On the youth program: http://www.ichallengemyself.org/?page_id=199#!cycling-smarts/c1m83

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on August 2, 2016 at 5:32am

Thanks Anne! Your Google skills are on point! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 2, 2016 at 6:20am

"He was laughing because the kids all dropped him."

Priceless.

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Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on August 2, 2016 at 6:13am

Awful, even if iconic, movie. Still I dig Kevin Bacon. Granted Bacon, though ever wiry, did not look exactly like a natural on two wheels. Btw, great pic of The Cheetah in his prime.