We have received several interesting donations related to cycling:
- A book published in 1929 titled “The Ninth Olympic Games”;
- Booklets of the 3rd and 4th Latvian Cyclists’ Unity Rides published in 1938 and 1939;
- A participant’s certificate of the 4th Unity Ride issued to Alberts Džarcāns (three-time USSR champion);
- A participant’s certificate of the very first Unity Ride issued to Elza Krastiņa;
- Eight photographs featuring participants of the Unity Ride (1937–1938).
The booklets contain detailed information about donated prizes, routes of the 1st–6th class races, participants’ first and last names, years of birth, and even residential addresses. Interestingly, the participant’s certificate granted a 75% discount on railway fares.
Each participant was required to arrive at the start location 2 hours before the start. During the first Unity Ride (September 5, 1936), the start times were as follows:
- 1st class – Riga at 06:30;
- 2nd class – Rēzekne at 10:00;
- 3rd class – Rūjiena at 08:00;
- 4th class – Daugavpils at 07:00; Alūksne and Ventspils at 06:00; Liepāja at 08:30; Rūjiena at 08:00; Rēzekne at 10:00;
- 5th class – Valka at 09:00; Bauska at 08:00;
- 6th class – Bauska at 08:00.
In total, the 1936 Unity Ride brought together 1,214 participants.
In 1937, the finish was in Jelgava (1,301 participants), while in 1938, the finish returned to Riga (1,329 participants).
In 1939, the finish was held in Riga with a record-breaking number of 6,225 participants.
Unfortunately, due to technical reasons, the published photographs are unprocessed, making it more difficult to distinguish people and landscapes.
📸 Photo Gallery
Please note: copying, reproducing, or using the published photographs in any form without written permission from the Cycling Sports Association “Latvello” is prohibited.
Comments, memories, and discussions related to these photographs can be viewed on the association’s official Facebook page under the respective post.
