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Fifty-three years ago, Bob Tetzlaff never would have believed where his cycling career would take him. Since the time he began cycling the streets of Southern California as a young teenager, Tetzlaff competed in France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, England, Ireland and Brazil. But perhaps one of his most memorable trips took place recently in Somerville, N.J., where he was inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.
"If someone would have told me I would be inducted when I was just starting to cycle, I never would have believed it," said Tetzlaff. "I was looking at becoming good. I just didn't know how good I would become."
How good was he? Tetzlaff won three national championships, two North American championships, a silver medal in the 1963 Pan Am Games, and participated in four World Championships, as well as the 1960 Olympic Games. After winning over 100 road races from the 1950s through 1970s, Tetzlaff cemented himself as one of the best cyclists of his generation and earned the nickname "King of the Road."
Thirty years after his competitive days, the Los Gatos resident wrote the final chapter of his career with his induction on May 25. Tetzlaff was honored along with John S. Johnson, Steve Woznick, Connie Paraskevin-Young and Chris Carmichael at a banquet held in front of more than 250 people.
"It was a nice evening," said Tetzlaff. "There was a lot of excitement."
It also provided Tetzlaff with an opportunity to chat with other racers already inducted, many of whom compete in master's races now. As for Tetzlaff, he is content with riding for fun and does not plan to race again.
"The great thing about cycling is that you can do it on your own or in a group," said Tetzlaff. "You can do it for health and fun after you have finished racing."
Tetzlaff's efforts to build popularity for the sport he loves can still be seen today. In 1975, with the help of his wife Lorine, Tetzlaff created the Cat's Hill Criterium. The Los Gatos race just completed its 28th annual running on May 10.
And regardless of whether Tetzlaff is organizing races, competing in Europe, or cycling the streets of Los Gatos, he rarely misses a day on the bike.
"Tuesday was a travel day (back from New Jersey), but yesterday I went for a ride," said Tetzlaff last Thursday. "And I'm actually dressed to go for a ride right now."
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