[Classicrendezvous] Another newbie introduction

(Example: Racing:Jacques Boyer)

From: "Troy Warnick" <twar@hotmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 23:05:16 PST
Subject: [Classicrendezvous] Another newbie introduction

Hello group. I have been enjoying learning from all of the active list participants for longer than I would like to admit. I figure it is about time to get a bit more involved. My story goes like this: I am 29 years old. I live in the beautiful, albeit wet at times, city of Olympia, Washington. Last year, after 13 years as a bike mechanic, I left the bowels of the bike shop behind. I set my sights on a appropriate use of my newly acquired bachelors degree. My interest in vintage cycles had been present for quite some time, but has intensified drastically in the past 3 or 4 years. The Internet has certainly had an influence on that. In 1996, the madness began with the purchase of an early 70’s Jack Taylor Tourist. It is in mint condition and fully dressed with Taylor racks, Lefol fenders, GB bars, Ideale, Lyotard, T.A., shellac, etc. Next came the Motobecane Grand Jubilee. Aah the French! This is my daily rider and trusty touring machine. It is not much to look at, but I wouldn’t give it up for the world. At this point, I seemed to accumulate a lot of 50’s through 70’s parts and mid line bikes to include Gitane, Peugeot, Raleigh, Red Star (it is French, anyone know anything on this one?), Colnago, and Lenton. I have recently added a couple of gems to round out my current collection. First came the 1952 Claud Butler Olympic Sprint track bike (thanks Ken Denny!) complete with Chater Lea, Airlite, GB, Cinelli, and a Brooks B17 Sprinter. And wrapping it all up with a futile and transparent attempt to justify another bike purchase by disguising it as a “gift” to my wife came the Jack Taylor Tourist tandem. It was in mint condition, well equipped, and it fit us both! Obvious from the above inventory, I am fond of the English and French touring machines over all others. I especially enjoy Jack Taylors. Perhaps it is a first love type of thing. I have desperately searched for Taylor panniers and a Taylor rear trailer with no luck. If anyone has any info as to where I might obtain such items it would be very greatly appreciated. Along the lines of English cycles, I would certainly like to add the likes of Hetchins and Mercian to my fleet. French bikes, and certainly French parts, are an important interest of mine as well. I have yet to own a fine (non-production) French cycle. Perhaps a Singer, or a Herse will come my way one fine day. As for now, with the pricing as it is, I will have to just look and perhaps take a few pictures to tide me over. I would like to thank everyone on the list for the opportunity to learn from your collective knowledge. I send a huge thanks to Dale Brown for creating this monster and maintaining it. It is certainly a great and valuable resource. I will be enjoying it frequently. I look forward to meeting some of you at swap meets and events in the future. Take care.

Regards,

Troy Warnick

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