André BACH
Who was André BACH?
Born in 1888, he lost his left arm in 1916 during the Great War.
On the advice of Dr RUFFIER, a seasoned cycle tourist, André BACH rediscovered his zest for life through cycling.
Later, in 1936, he settled in Pau, working as a journalist and serving as editor-in-chief of the newspaper *L’Indépendant*.
A member of the Cyclo Club Béarnais, he served as its president from 1937 to 1940. He used to climb the Col d’Aubisque regularly, timing himself to monitor his fitness. With only one arm, these climbs were no mean feat.
During the Second World War, in 1943, he was deported to Germany, to the Buchenwald concentration camp. He died in May 1945 whilst returning from captivity to the village of Boulay in Moselle.
Biography André BACH the sportsman
Link to the biography “The Life of André Bach” by Jean-Pierre Carlier, his grandson.
Articles written by André BACH for CYCLO MAGAZINE
Published by Cairn
André Bach, War Diaries
(1914–1916)
André BACH memorial at the summit of the Aubisque
Here is the history of the André BACH memorial, written by Henry DE LA TOMBELLE in November 1948:
“The idea of erecting a monument to their late president took root amongst the cycle tourists of the Cyclo Club Béarnais immediately after his martyr’s death in 1945. The idea gained momentum and took on an almost sacred character on the day when ANGLADE, PUCHEUS, MALO, GUIMAUD and a few others travelled to Lorraine to collect, and bring back to Béarn, a few handfuls of earth from the land where their president had breathed his last. They then chose a highly talented artist to capture the features of the deceased in bronze.
Then began the administrative procedures, with all the ups and downs and tribulations involved in dealing with the authorities to obtain permission to erect the monument at the Col d’Aubisque. This long and tedious task took two years. Next, the funds needed for the project had to be raised, by appealing to the generosity of cyclists as well as certain organisations and prominent figures. Finally, with permission granted and the funds raised, all that remained was to build the monument. This involved transporting stones and cement by lorry. It was in appalling weather that these fervent enthusiasts, transformed into masons, set to work and, under the expert guidance of their technical colleague MALO, gave the small and humble memorial its final form.”
As early as 14 September 1947, whilst waiting for the memorial to be erected, the Cyclo Club Béarnais, a cycle touring club, had organised the first André BACH Day. And as he loved to come and ‘test himself’ on the Aubisque to gauge his fitness, participants were offered a timed 12-kilometre climb from the village of Eaux-Bonnes.
The inauguration took place the following year, on 26 September 1948, during the second André BACH Day.
250 cycle tourists took part in this climb. The ceremony then followed. Joining this crowd of cyclists were a number of dignitaries as well as several shepherds who had become friends with André BACH.
From that date onwards, every year in September, cyclists gather to climb the Col d’Aubisque and pay their respects at André BACH’s memorial.
Until 1975, this climb was timed. Since then, it has been carried out without timing, in accordance with the rules of the FFCT.
This ride was organised as an inter-club event for many years.
Nevertheless, at club level, we remain deeply committed to this tradition and continue to honour his memory every year by gathering in silence at André BACH’s memorial stone and including all those from our club who have passed away.
André Bach Memorial Day
André Bach Remembrance Day
23 August 2025
On Saturday 23 August, the CCB cyclists gathered, as they do every year, at the summit of the Col d’Aubisque to honour the memory of André Bach
(the 79th edition of this memorial day).
The day continued with a meal at the restaurant “Les Crêtes Blanches”.
Photos
Cyclo Club Béarnais
Cité des Pyrénées
29 bis, rue Berlioz
64000 PAU
+33 6 70 54 46 95
