1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession

Hardcover, 288 pages

English language

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing.

ISBN:: 978-1-3994-0154-8

(2 reviews)

The story of an obsession. When cycling commentator Ned Boulting bought a length of Pathé news film featuring a stage of the Tour de France from 1923 he set about learning everything he could about it - taking him on an intriguing journey that encompasses travelogue, history and detective story.

In the autumn of 2020 Ned Boulting (ITV head cycling commentator and Tour de France obsessive) bought a length of Pathé news film from a London auction house. All he knew was it was film from the Tour de France, a long time ago. Once restored it became clear it was a short sequence of shots from stage 4 of the 1923 Tour de France. No longer than 2.5 minutes long, it featured half a dozen sequences, including a lone rider crossing a bridge.

Ned set about learning everything he could about the sequence – studying each frame, face and …

The story of an obsession. When cycling commentator Ned Boulting bought a length of Pathé news film featuring a stage of the Tour de France from 1923 he set about learning everything he could about it - taking him on an intriguing journey that encompasses travelogue, history and detective story.

In the autumn of 2020 Ned Boulting (ITV head cycling commentator and Tour de France obsessive) bought a length of Pathé news film from a London auction house. All he knew was it was film from the Tour de France, a long time ago. Once restored it became clear it was a short sequence of shots from stage 4 of the 1923 Tour de France. No longer than 2.5 minutes long, it featured half a dozen sequences, including a lone rider crossing a bridge.

Ned set about learning everything he could about the sequence – studying each frame, face and building – until he had squeezed the meaning from it. It sets him off in fascinating directions, encompassing travelogue, history, mystery story – to explain, to go deeper into this moment in time, captured on his little film.

Join him as he explores the history of cycling and France just five years after WWI.

1 edition

B Ö A B reviewed 1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession by Ned Boulting

Brilliant

5 stars

I'm not sure I have the words to adequately describe this book and the effect it had on me. I've followed Ned for years as he and David Millar commentate on various bike races and I listen to Never Strays Far, their podcast with Pete Kennaugh. So while I knew what this book was about, I didn't really appreciate the level of obsession it had taken Ned to. Linking threads of history through a single day in 1923, a rider whose legacy was all but forgotten and all because of a chance encounter with an old, incomplete, roll of Pathé film of The Tour de France. Beautifully written through out, I didn't want it to end. If you have any interest in cycle history, the Tour de France, then this is a must read.

rleyton reviewed 1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession by Ned Boulting

Review of '1923' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A previously unseen film of an early Tour de France bought at auction inspires Ned Boulting to unearth the story behind the people, places and times captured on film.

Part Covid lockdown project, part history of the times, all delightfully written.

A unique, satisfying book that’ll appeal not just to cycling fans, but to all who enjoy a varied and lovingly pieced together story of a moment in time, and all that has been touched by it.

Subjects

Cycling
Tour de France
Travel writing