BRUCE “THE TORCH” DONAGHY
THE EARLY YEARS
No one could have anticipated the dedication and commitment that was to be unleashed when Bruce was gifted his first bike at age 10 by his mentor and guardian angel.
It has been said that the “torch” found freedom and the promise of things to come riding the hills of New Jersey and the streets of Haddon Heights but the long and enduring career of Bruce “the torch” quickly moved beyond riding through the small borough to become the 1974 road and track intermediate national champion.
It was in those early years that Bruce developed a love of just being outside, and an unparalleled discipline for the sport.
THE MIDDLE YEARS
Once introduced to competition, cycling became his passion and the “torch” emerged. Always testing himself, Bruce saw competition as a way to unravel greater truths about himself and the world around him. He tried everything: road racing, time trials, mountain biking, track racing, crits but never JRA
(just riding along).
As an advocate of the sport, Bruce served on the Lehigh Valley Velodrome Board of Directors and was as founder of COBRA, a non-profit organization that served as a liaison between the U.S. Olympic Team and the U.S. Bicycling Federation in the early 1980’s.
He has been published in VeloNews, the nation’s leading bicycling racing magazine, and has worked with, Alfa Romeo, and Bicycling Magazine to establish corporate sponsored cycling teams.
He has also consulted on a joint venture with Shimano and Panasonic to develop and evaluate racing components. When not pedaling, Bruce can be found giving keynote speeches as a member of the Olympic Speaker’s Bureau.
PAYING IT FORWARD
He remains an active cyclist competing in masters and road races and continues to advise young riders. The “Torch” is doing it again.
