Re: [CR]Re: Eddy Mercx/road trips

(Example: Production Builders:LeJeune)

From: "renaissance-cycles" <info@renaissance-cycles.com>
To: "David Blight" <davidblight@rya-online.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <002501c166ed$d29d6fe0$7b85f8d4@wphowfgv>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Eddy Mercx/road trips
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 00:53:01 +0100


Hi All:

Sorry for the late post to this thread but I was in Santa Barbara preparing for our move and the opening of Renaissance Cycles there, if everything goes well it will be by the end of next summer!! Back on line with our original plans!!

For sure the man (EDDY!) is not a happy man!! I've been to his factory several times, the first time he slammed the door as we walked in and everybody was a bit on the stiff side and only spoke when needed to. Other times when he was not there everybody was loosened up and very friendly and happy to offer their assistance.

Even after moving out 12 to 14 pallets of his old stock which was from the days of his glory years, I would think he would have been a little curious if there is someone who shows interest with his past and the equipment that he once used to destroy his opponents with. I also was able to acquire his old Maillard freewheel boxes with enough bodies and cogs to build up well over 75 freewheels. Yes 12 to 14 pallets worth with almost ''1600'' sets of NR/SR and cobalto brake levers with fresh hoods............ouch!!

Sadly to say this all went up with the fire with it's anniversary just 3 days away. Maybe it was better for this stuff to go this way, unhappy stock from an unhappy man.

The happiest I saw him is when he was awarded the sports person for the Millenium of Belgium.

BC Baron Corpuz..............Still buying up Europe.


----- Original Message -----
From: David Blight
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 7:06 PM
Subject: [CR]Re: Eddy Mercx



> Richard Sachs wrote about Eddy Merckx and how he'd seen him at the Milan
> Cycle show. We had a booth near his at that show and I was struck by the
> fact that he could never manage a smile (Eddy I mean, not Richard!) during
> the entire week. I put it down to the fact that he was at a trade show and
> miserable about his huge post-racing weight gain, but then I saw him in
> Dublin three years ago watching Axel and despite the weight loss and
> apparent success of his son, he looked as glum as ever!
>
> In contrast, big Mig who was in Dublin with Spanish TV, was walking down
> Grafton Street and spotted my son, then about nine, dressed in full kid's
> Banesto gear. He came over, autographed his cap and let us take photographs
> and was utterly charming. The normally strong silent one even managed a few
> words in English.
>
> What I hadn't noticed when I took one of the pictures was just behind where
> Mig is standing with his arm on my tiny Banesto-clad son's shoulder is a
> shop window bearing a sale sign which says 'Buy one and get a small size
> free.'
>
>
> David Blight
> Exeter UK, where it's now drizzling (so that means it will soon be doing the
> same in Bristol, Hilary)