Well, I wasn't planning on going to DC, my ibob buddy who goes to shows with me, hit the road on his touring bike after Labor Day, and I'm pretty much happy with my fleet as it is. But with the events of the 11th, I wasn't in the best of cheer, and then Larry's offer of a table hit me, "Why don't I clean out the garage, and donate the sale of my extra parts to relief ?"
I went through my boxes thinking, "Am I going to ever use this?", got some tags and priced the items to go. Saturday came, I left on time, but got lost in DC and ended up driving down the Mall and by the Capital (G.B.A.) and finally found the Armory. Larry and Jill helped me set up, and Larry ended up buying 3/4th's of the stuff for more than I was asking. Others paid more than the posted price too, and it came to $120.00! I've sent payment off to the United Fund's September 11th fund.
So with that done, I toured the show, talked to Marty, Wayne, Jill, Karen, & Tom. I found one of the two things on my to buy list, a bell for the club ride/hot rod bike, and it's an American flag bell ! ($4) ;^) I also found an extra, an forged Nitto Hi-Crown stem, like what Rivendell has for $45 ($3 ) ! Of course, the irony is I bought it from a guy who has a shop 10 miles away from my house...
Since I was in the area, I detoured up to College Park and checked Larry's shop. If you have a chance, stop in! (Mt. Airy too..) Checking out the bikes hanging on the ceiling is almost as good as going to the Cirque (except you don't strain your neck at the Cirque...). I found the last item on my list, a real wicker basket for the Terry town bike. Also checked out the Atlantis frameset in my size... that goes on my bike lust list.
Again, many thanks to Larry Black and to all who ride.
Roy