Charles Terront
Encyclopedia
Charles Terront was the first major French cycling star. He won sprint, middle distance and endurance events in Europe and the United States. In September 1891 he won the first Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race, which at 1196 kilometres (743 mi) was more than double the length of any previous event. He rode a Humber
bicycle fitted with prototype removable pneumatic tyres made by Michelin
.
He won 54 major events over his 15 year career, was 'Champion of France' twice and 'Champion of Great Britain' twice.
. He took up cycle racing in 1876 along with his brother Jules. Charles excelled at both endurance and speed events, and also won many events on a tandem with his brother Jules. He won 54 major solo events over his 15 year career, including being Champion of France twice and Champion of Great Britain twice.
In 1879 he covered 546 kilometres (339 mi) in 24 hours.
On 27 September 1893 he left Saint Petersburg
in Russia
to cycle 3000 kilometres (1,864 mi) across Poland
and Germany
, arriving at the Vélodrome Buffalo
in Paris after 14 days and 7 hours.
In 1894 he completed a ride from Rome
, Italy
, to Paris.
of Le Petit Journal
created the Paris-Brest et retour cycle race in September 1891, describing it as an "épreuve", a test of the bicycle's reliability and the rider's endurance. Riders were fully self-sufficient, carrying their own food and clothing and riding the same bicycle for the duration. The response was so phenomenal that they had to charge 5 francs entrance as 300 riders signed up. Each bicycle was given an 'official seal' at a 2 day ceremony, the 280 sealed machines included 10 tricycles, 2 Tandem bicycle
s, and 1 Penny-farthing
. Participation was restricted to French men (7 women were refused entrance) and 99 of the 207 (or 280) participants finished.
Charles Terront won the event, covering the 1196 kilometres (743 mi) in 71 hours 22 minutes, riding a Humber
bicycle from the Beeston
works in England, which weighed 21.5 kilograms and was equipped with Michelin
's prototype pneumatic tyres (which were patented in 1891), front brake, curved handlebars, and a chain guard. He passed his main rival Jiel-Laval from Adolphe Clément
's Dunlop Clément
team as he slept during the third night. Both had suffered punctures in their pneumatic tyres, but still enjoyed an advantage over riders on solid tires. Terront's arrival in Paris was watched by a crowd of 10,000 people, many of whom had waited throughout the night.
.
A plaque in Brest commemorates his 1891 victory in the Paris–Brest–Paris.
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1891
Thomas Humber
Thomas Humber was a British cycle manufacturer who founded the Humber bicycle company in 1869 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. By 1896 the company, under new management, ventured into Humber motor cars and became the first maker of series production cars in England.-Personal life:Thomas Humber was...
bicycle fitted with prototype removable pneumatic tyres made by Michelin
Michelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...
.
He won 54 major events over his 15 year career, was 'Champion of France' twice and 'Champion of Great Britain' twice.
Early life and career
Terront was born in Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-DenisSaint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis
Saint-Ouen is a commune in the Seine-Saint-Denis department. It is located in the northern suburbs of Paris, France 6.6 km from the centre of Paris....
. He took up cycle racing in 1876 along with his brother Jules. Charles excelled at both endurance and speed events, and also won many events on a tandem with his brother Jules. He won 54 major solo events over his 15 year career, including being Champion of France twice and Champion of Great Britain twice.
In 1879 he covered 546 kilometres (339 mi) in 24 hours.
On 27 September 1893 he left Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
to cycle 3000 kilometres (1,864 mi) across Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, arriving at the Vélodrome Buffalo
Vélodrome Buffalo
The Vélodrome Buffalo and Stade Buffalo were cycling tracks in Paris. The first existed from 1893 until World War I, the second from 1922 until 1957....
in Paris after 14 days and 7 hours.
In 1894 he completed a ride from Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, to Paris.
Paris–Brest–Paris cycle race
Pierre GiffardPierre Giffard
Pierre Giffard was a French journalist, a pioneer of modern political reporting, a newspaper publisher and a prolific sports organiser...
of Le Petit Journal
Le Petit Journal
Le Petit Journal was a daily Parisian newspaper published from 1863 to 1944. It was founded by Moïse Polydore Millaud. In its columns were published several serial novels of Émile Gaboriau and of Ponson du Terrail.- Publishing :...
created the Paris-Brest et retour cycle race in September 1891, describing it as an "épreuve", a test of the bicycle's reliability and the rider's endurance. Riders were fully self-sufficient, carrying their own food and clothing and riding the same bicycle for the duration. The response was so phenomenal that they had to charge 5 francs entrance as 300 riders signed up. Each bicycle was given an 'official seal' at a 2 day ceremony, the 280 sealed machines included 10 tricycles, 2 Tandem bicycle
Tandem bicycle
The tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle designed to be ridden by more than one person. The term tandem refers to the seating arrangement , not the number of riders. A bike with two riders side-by-side is called a sociable.-History:Patents related to tandem bicycles date from the late 19th...
s, and 1 Penny-farthing
Penny-farthing
Penny-farthing, high wheel, high wheeler, and ordinary are all terms used to describe a type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel that was popular after the boneshaker, until the development of the safety bicycle, in the 1880s...
. Participation was restricted to French men (7 women were refused entrance) and 99 of the 207 (or 280) participants finished.
Charles Terront won the event, covering the 1196 kilometres (743 mi) in 71 hours 22 minutes, riding a Humber
Thomas Humber
Thomas Humber was a British cycle manufacturer who founded the Humber bicycle company in 1869 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. By 1896 the company, under new management, ventured into Humber motor cars and became the first maker of series production cars in England.-Personal life:Thomas Humber was...
bicycle from the Beeston
Beeston, Nottinghamshire
Beeston is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is southwest of Nottingham city centre. Although typically regarded as a suburb of the City of Nottingham, and officially designated as part of the Nottingham Urban Area, for local government purposes it is in the borough of Broxtowe, lying outside...
works in England, which weighed 21.5 kilograms and was equipped with Michelin
Michelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...
's prototype pneumatic tyres (which were patented in 1891), front brake, curved handlebars, and a chain guard. He passed his main rival Jiel-Laval from Adolphe Clément
Adolphe Clément
Gustave Adolphe Clément-Bayard was a French entrepreneur...
's Dunlop Clément
Dunlop Rubber
Dunlop Rubber was a company based in the United Kingdom which manufactured tyres and other rubber products for most of the 20th century. It was acquired by BTR plc in 1985. Since then, ownership of the Dunlop trade-names has been fragmented.-Early history:...
team as he slept during the third night. Both had suffered punctures in their pneumatic tyres, but still enjoyed an advantage over riders on solid tires. Terront's arrival in Paris was watched by a crowd of 10,000 people, many of whom had waited throughout the night.
Honours
Terront's fame meant that he was the first athlete to have his memoires published during his lifetime. In 1893 he explained his life, races and training methods to French journalist Louis Baudry de Saunier. Also in 1893 En suivant Terront by Herbert Duncan and Pierre Lafitte used 100 drawings to follow his ride to Paris from Saint PetersburgSaint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
.
A plaque in Brest commemorates his 1891 victory in the Paris–Brest–Paris.
Major results by year
1876- 1st - ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
-PontoisePontoisePontoise is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris, in the "new town" of Cergy-Pontoise.-Administration:...
-Paris - 1st - Adamville
- 1st - Neuilly sur Seine
- 1st - CréteilCréteil-Health:As of 1 January 2006, 27 pharmacies, about 60 dentists, about 60 general practitioners, 10 pediatricians, and a half-dozen ophthalmologists and dermatologists constitute the general medical staff of the city.Health facilities include:...
- 1st - RouenRouenRouen , in northern France on the River Seine, is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and the historic capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe , it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages...
- 1st - Parc de Saint-MaurSaint-Maur, IndreSaint-Maur is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
- 1st - Saint-GermainSaint-Germain-en-LayeSaint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris from the centre.Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois...
- 1st - AngersAngersAngers is the main city in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France about south-west of Paris. Angers is located in the French region known by its pre-revolutionary, provincial name, Anjou, and its inhabitants are called Angevins....
1877
- 1st - MontaubanMontaubanMontauban is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France. It is the capital of the department and lies north of Toulouse....
- 1st - Angers
- 1st - Saint-Ouen
- 1st - La Garenne-ColombesColombesColombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 13 March 1896, 17% of the territory of Colombes was detached and became the commune of Bois-Colombes ....
- 1st - Charenton-le-PontCharenton-le-PontCharenton-le-Pont is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe....
- 1st - Saint-Denis
- 1st - ex-aequeo de Paris-Conflans-Sainte-HonorineConflans-Sainte-HonorineConflans-Sainte-Honorine is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the north-western suburbs of Paris from the center....
1878
- 1st - Boulogne-VersaillesVersaillesVersailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
- 1st - ArgenteuilArgenteuilArgenteuil is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. Argenteuil is a sub-prefecture of the Val-d'Oise department, the seat of the arrondissement of Argenteuil....
- 1st - Adamville
- 1st - Maison-Blanche
- 1st - Rueil
- 1st - Saint-Denis
- 1st - Carrousel (Paris)
- 1st - Pré Catalan
- 1st - CourbevoieCourbevoieCourbevoie is a commune located very close to the centre of Paris, France. The centre of Courbevoie is situated 2 kilometres from the outer limits of Paris and 8.2 km...
- 1st - Versailles
- 1st - Point du Jour
- 1st - La Garenne-Colombes
- 1st - FougèresFougèresFougères is a commune and a sub-prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany, in north-western France.-Sights:Fougères' major monument is a medieval stronghold built atop a granite ledge, which was part of the ultimately unsuccessful defence system of the Duchy of Brittany against...
1879
- 1st - Angers-Le MansLe MansLe Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
-Angers - 1st - Angers
- 1st - Versailles
- 1st - ChavilleChavilleChaville is a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Nearest communes:*Meudon*Sèvres*Vélizy-Villacoublay*Viroflay*Ville-d'Avray....
- 1st - Boulogne-BillancourtBoulogne-BillancourtBoulogne-Billancourt is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Boulogne-Billancourt is a sub-prefecture of the Hauts-de-Seine department and the seat of the Arrondissement of Boulogne-Billancourt....
-Versailles-Boulogne Billancourt - 1st - Carrousel (Paris)
- 1st - 6 days of BostonBostonBoston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
- 1st - 6 days of ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
1880
- 1st - 6 days of LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- 1st - 6 days of EdinburghEdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
- 1st - 6 days of Kingston upon HullKingston upon HullKingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
- 1st - Fougères
- 1st - Saint Denis
- 1st - Paris
1881
- 1st - ToursToursTours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
- 1st - ParaméParaméParamé is a former town and commune of France on the north coast of Britanny. The town merged with Saint-Servan into the commune of Saint-Malo in 1967. Paramé is now a quarter of Saint-Malo and its seaside resort. The city is known for its long sand beach and its sea spa....
1882
- 1st - AgenAgenAgen is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in Aquitaine in south-western France. It lies on the river Garonne southeast of Bordeaux. It is the capital of the department.-Economy:The town has a higher level of unemployment than the national average...
- 1st - 6 hours of Angers
- 3rd Speed Championships of France
1883
- 1st - Fougères
- 2nd - Speed Championships of France
1884
- 1st - Fougères
1885
- 3rd - Speed Championships of France
1886
- 2nd - Speed Championships of France
- 3rd Middle distance Championships of France
1887
- 1st - 100 mile Championship of Great Britain
- Rennes
- 2nd Middle distance Championships of FranceFrench National Stayers ChampionshipsThe French National Stayers Championships are held annually. The stayers event is often known as motor-paced, it is held on a cycling track, the riders follow a derny throughout the race, the rider of the derny is known as their pacer...
1888
- 1st - Middle distance Championships of FranceFrench National Stayers ChampionshipsThe French National Stayers Championships are held annually. The stayers event is often known as motor-paced, it is held on a cycling track, the riders follow a derny throughout the race, the rider of the derny is known as their pacer...
- 1st - 10 mile Championship of Great Britain
1889
- 1st - Middle distance Championships of FranceFrench National Stayers ChampionshipsThe French National Stayers Championships are held annually. The stayers event is often known as motor-paced, it is held on a cycling track, the riders follow a derny throughout the race, the rider of the derny is known as their pacer...
1891
- 1st - Paris–Brest–Paris
See also
- James Moore (cyclist)James Moore (cyclist)James Moore was a bicycle racer. He is popularly regarded as the winner of the first official cycle race in the world in 1868 at St-Cloud, Paris, although there appears to be no verifiable contemporary evidence for this...
- winner of 'first' cycle races in 1868 in Paris and 1869 Paris–Rouen - Paris–Rouen - first 'city to city' cycle race (1869)
- Bordeaux–Paris - first long distance cycle race (May 1891)
- George Pilkington MillsGeorge Pilkington MillsGeorge Pilkington Mills was the dominant English racing cyclist of his generation, and winner of the inaugural Bordeaux–Paris cycle race. He frequently cycled from Land's End to John o' Groats, holding the world record time on six occasions between 1886 and 1895. He was a member of the Anfield and...
- winner of Bordeaux–Paris cycle race