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Chateau de Paree Time Trial Trophy

The Hotel Dyckman in 1956, wishing to give an aura of international flavor to its already famed cuisine, created the Chateau de Paree restaurant. To insure its success a search was made for a Chef and Maitre de of suitable distinction, ergo Ernest Baumann.

As a young man Ernest Baumann was a Suisse National Champion, consequently he cast an eye about as to how his latent cycling talents could be resurfaced. In learning that the area supported one of the best established and aggressive cycling clubs in the country, namely the Gopher Wheelman, he promptly became a member. Ernest Baumann despite his years (46) was an ardent and avid cyclist and did well in local events but felt he lacked strength in time trialing. The media gave him some recognition of his successes locally and being a minor celebrity as an outstanding Maitre de in the area he convinced the Dyckman management that from a PR standpoint it would be mutually beneficial for them to sponsor (under his supervision) what was to be a premier cycling event. Thus was born the Chateau de Paree Time Trial.

Ernest Baumann mapped out a course that started in Chanhassen, heading west to the outskirts of Excelsior then looping back on side roads to Chanhassen, making a lap distance of fourteen miles. He decided on three laps giving the time trial the official length of forty two miles.

The event was an immediate success giving both the Dyckman and the local cycling fraternity a much needed boost in media exposure. The magnificent trophy (I have never seen one as well designed and elaborate pertaining to cycling) was prominently displayed in the Dyckman lobby causing much comment on the rising sport of cycling. To further focus attention on this event, for several evenings prior to the actual race date, roller races were held in the Dyckman lobby.

The crowds, pre-race excitement, the shouting, cheering, even the Hotel are all gone now. The look of utter fatigue and desperation pictured on the faces of the aspirants in the final 100 meters dash to the line, hoping to salvage that hundreth of a second that might win them everlasting fame, have all faded into obscurity.

The Chateau de Paree trophy still stands tall and proud, albeit with a slight amount of patina accumulated over the years, proclaiming a rich slice of cycling history–a Gopher Wheelman legacy. Forgotten now by all save those once youthful stalwarts whose names are emblazoned thereon for eternity.

Sic Gloria Transit

• 1957 John Storm
• 1958 Victor Bonato
• 1959 John Adelsman
• 1960 Floyd Bedbury
• 1961 Karl Bohlin
• 1962 Andre Lacabanne
• 1967 Bob Battin
• 1968 Chuck Heasley
• 1969 Bob Williams
• 1970 Frank Bottorf
• 1971 Chris Kvale
• 1972 Chris Kvale
• 1973 Paul Slarks
• 1974 Jim Flanders
• 1975 Jeff Hamelink
• 1976 Bruce Larson
• 1979 Mike Lee
• 1980 Tony Tennis
• 1981 Rod Johnson

The preceding description of the Chateau de Paree Time Trial trophy is believed to have been written by Ken Woods during the time the trophy was on display at the Flanders Brothers Bicycle Shop in South Minneapolis. Sadly, the trophy has gone missing and the trail has run dry as to where the location of the trophy is. The last known existence of the trophy was of someone coming into the shop in the mid-80s and taking the trophy for that years event.

A few names instantly stick out when viewing this list of cycling legends. Bob Williams, the NSC Velodrome director, is a racer that needs no introduction, nor does Chris Kvale, who has now become one of the nations premier bicycle builders. Another name that stands out is that of John Adelsman, the father of local photographer Bruce Adelsman.

It was Bruce a few months ago who suggested doing a story to raise the awareness of the trophy for the general cycling community. Unbeknown to BikeThrow at the time, his father won the trophy in 1959. John considered the trophy to be the crowning moment of his cycling career. In the picture provided by Bruce you can see the excitement in John’s face at the award presentation for the victory in that years Chateau de Paree Time Trial.

If you have seen the trophy, or know of someone that may know about it please ask around and if you are lucky enough to find it please feel free to contact us as we would love to continue on a rich cycling tradition that has seemed to be forgotten in time.

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BikeThrow.com would like to thank Bob Williams for allowing access to some of his historical archives and to Bruce Adelsman for providing the picture of the trophy and the preliminary information about the trophy.