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James Mason | all galleries >> Galleries >> Cycling in Portland, Oregon > Franz Pauwels
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Franz Pauwels

Franz was the owner of Kissler's Bicycle Shop in Portland when I was a kid and more than anybody got me hooked on cycling. He had been a top racer in Europe before and after WW2, riding the classics and the Tour de France. In the photo he rides a vets race in downtown Portland.

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Thomas Edwards, Jr 20-Apr-2013 04:54
I got hired at Kissler's in 1979. I was 17. At the time I had no idea who this guy was, what he had done or what he was about. I was intimidated by him. Franz was around the shop quite a bit back then. I remember seeing Simone (the Bosses daughter) and figured it was best to stay away from her. Dirk got me started in racing by taking me to PIR on tuesday evenings. Maybe someone else remembers riding from the shop to the track in that blue van!
The most fun that I ever had on a job was at Kissler's - with Scott, Phil, Steve, Bob "French" and the great riders that we could help with support.
nick zeller 10-Jan-2011 23:23
This is a great photo of Frans, the epitome of the tough Dutchman, a fierce competitor, he's one of the main folks responsible for making Portland the bike friendly city it is. He was also a compassionate and fair boss, I was fortunate to have worked as a mechanic at Kissler's for several years and to have paired with Frans in several madison races at the Alpenrose Velodrome. He hated to lose and was competitive into his forties. A great man, I still miss him.
Simone Pauwels-Jackson 30-Dec-2010 07:14
Funny thing, haven't thought of googeling my dad...but here he is! Beautiful picture of an amazing man. Thank you for posting!
Jerry Powell 09-Nov-2010 17:15
I rode my first Criterium race in Sherwood Oregon in 1979 or 1980. Fairly early in the race I took an inside line into a corner and coming out was drifting into Franz who dropped his shoulder and sent me flying. After the race I asked him why he'd knocked me down and he said "you shouldn't have been there".