there's so much going on in this pic, so many details...that's how riders were carrying spare tubulars (clinchers were yet to be invented) in the days, everyone is carrying their own pump and tools too...you're totally right, the essence of road racing hasn't changed much throughout the years, the bikes are a bit lighter but are basically still the same...

 Ha He's smiling for the camera

 Its just marvelous to see the history and lack of change, which I like! People have this image that things were totally different 80 years ago and they are but in essence not much has changed. I can see a bunch of blokes joking around and getting ready for a killer ride. Something I try to do all the time, ahahhah There are people with water on their bars and some with it in their backs. I really like their goggles too! hahhaha

 are you kiddin' me, their wool kits would be so incomplete without the goggles, hahaha...now that's a killer look !!!...you're also right about not much has changed in the last 80 years, as a matter of fact, besides circuitry miniaturisation, absolutely nothing new has been invented in the last 60 years, just think about that !!!...so people that were living between the 20's and 50's have seen it all !!!...that's exactly what I love about road racing/riding, basically every rider has the same stripped down Equipment, it always comes down to the rider, and that will never change, you can see from that pic how a strong camaraderie has always existed between fellow cyclists...while some people might think those riders are just crazy, those same riders are just riding not because it's hard but because they're having a blast doing it !!!...gotta love the dude taking the time to smile for the camera while all the riders are busy filling up on food/water/wine/horse steroïds/cigarettes, etc, etc, lol...so many great stories from the old days were riders had no team support and had to stop in garages to get stuff welded or fixed before being able to continue...they also drank plenty of wine to stay warm...

 Thats totally awesome! Im bringing a bottle of wine on my next ride! hahahahha I love how you put that short story in words! Very good!