[CR]Back in the land of the fruits and nuts

(Example: Framebuilding:Norris Lockley)

Date: Tue, 08 May 2001 00:47:16 -0700
From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Back in the land of the fruits and nuts

Ladies and Germs,

Well, I'm back in Crazyfornia. The trip home was exactly opposite of my trip there. Rough going getting there, came back in First Class! Kind of like the weekend itself. Didn't get as much done as I had hoped before I left, but had one of the best times of my life! I swear I laughed so much and so hard over the past two days my stomach is sore. It is priceless to meet everyone whose only contact has been an email address for all this time (except the few I have met before). I especialley enjoyed the company of Ray Etherton (love picking up English words that differ from our own), Dale Brown, Chuck Schmidt, Mike Kone, and Maurice Bresnihan. I feel like I suddenly reconnected with 5 brothers I didn't know I had before. The stories were hilarious and informative all in one. Everyone I met was so very genuine and generous in every way; I really enjoyed myself. Haven't had time to check out the surf CD Wayne Bingham gave me, but I'll get to that soon.

I have to admit, I didn't get to even half of what I had hoped to in the framebuilding presentation for lack of time, but I think everyone sort of got a little taste of what it's all about. I've decided to go all the way in a video production in the future on this topic.

The swap meet and bike show were great, as one would expect from Dale Brown. I would like to mention a few things regarding the awards for each of the catagories. It is always difficult to make these decisions when so many nice bikes are present. I would like to mention that I was really impressed with Gilbert Andersons' 1983ish Rene Herse demountable. It is truely amazing how much work and design went into those bikes. It even blows my mind. In that respect it would be difficult to award best French or Best of Show to much else from that standpoint, but since that bike has been best of show previously, I felt I had to look from a different perspective to avoid that bike clearing the table on every game; but I also feel it neccessary at this time to mention what a fine bike it is. I also enjoyed downing a brew at their table Sat. nite and trading stories with those present. Thank you all for a good time there.

The 1958 Urago that won best of show bears some discussion also. The bike belongs to Dale Brown, and I had to consider what one might think of my selection considering this. Here is what I saw. The bike is in amazing condition for it's age and 100% completly original right down to the tires! The bike has been ridden, but had just the right type of care to preserve this amazing piece of work. In particular I was astonished at he fineness of the pinstriping. The lines were so thin, perfectly straight, even, and square I couldn't believe it was built in a production situation. Someone had an amazing hand and eye. Whoever owend it didn't polish it too much or with the wrong stuff or that striping would have vanished instantly. It was an treat to see a bike of that age survive this long in that condition. It just had to win. Several other well informed "consultants" felt the same way. The Alex Singer that took Best French wasn't in anywhere near that condition but still was original and had a very charming patina along with the original bill of sale from Cupertino Bike shop. Jeff Archer had an all chrome Schwinn paramount which still had all of the original decals intact, which is in itself just a little short of a miracle. Same with Karen Rawles' Frejus and Aldo Rosses' Legnano. Knowing how difficult it is to find such things, I'm always impressed when I see them when a bike is that old and has obviously been ridden, not stored away somewhere. I also realized after the show that one bike worthy of mention in some way I somewhat forgot to consider on account of it's location, was the small Erickson I sold to Ricky Garni. I really enjoyed meeting him and his son Linus (I hope that's you spell it) in person and seeing the bike again; but actually probably couldn't award a prize anyway because I had too much of a hand in it. Somewhat unfair to Ricky in that respect, so I'll mention it now to kinda make up for it.

I have to admit, I often times don't remember names that well; but I enjoyed meeting every one of you who were present. I would like to collectivly thank Steve Kinne, Mike Kone, and Dale Brown for hooking me up with Ray Etherton; not only is he a valuable resource for me, but he's a real cut-up and a great guy. Between him and the rest of the blokes, it was a real laughfest; and we weren't even knockered!

Karen Rawles was beyond helpful and Jill DiMoro was infectious with enthusiasm; what a fantastic bunch of people. Also thanks to Jeff Slotkin for the generous gift, for which the Frank Zappa song title "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Sexually Aroused Gas Mask" comes pretty close.

It was mentioned previously, but I'll repeat it again. Dale has singlehandedly done as much for the vintage lightweight bicycle cause as anyone in the United States. And with absolutely no financial motives whatsoever, only out of pure love for the bicycles and those who make, collect, and appreciate them. Furthermore, the staff at his shop are the most helpful and loyal (and for good reason) I have ever seen anywhere; Charles in particular. If you don't start making plans to attend next year right now, you're surely daft! Don't be a wanker, be there; I will! You might even get to see a well known framebuilder with a pig nose on!

And the Southern women! I swear I fell in love several times. I guess we know I'm not a ginger! Thank you all for comming and not letting on that I bored you out of your socks! I'm sure I'm forgetting some people and some bikes, but I'm toast right now; so please forgive me.

Cheers!

Brian "Groucho" Baylis