This list has now grown to approximately 600 members from around the world and includes the many of the most knowledgeable and dedicated vintage bike buffs. Thank you all for your participation, wisdom and friendship!
Once again I find that just a few members of the CR list are unclear about what precisely is on-topic and what is not.
The intent to be as precisely on topic as possible to minimize the numbers of e-mails received by members. The highest number of complaints I receive (& I receive a lot) are that the CR list has too many messages, many of which are superfluous. So it may be helpful to make a quick delineation so that responsible CR list members can decide if their message is appropriate.
- First and foremost, lightweight (meaning not balloon tired) bicycle makes and models from the turn of the century 1900) until 1983.
- Bicycles by "keepers of the flame" custom makers like Brian Baylis, Dave Bohm, Phil Brown, Rivendell, Richard Sachs and others who still make classic style lugged or filet brazed frames. Production bikes since 1983, should not be included just because they are lugged! It would clutter things up too much.
- Events (incl. rides) , clothing, restoration, news, industry history, races, racers, literature, for sale and wanted to buy.. all are OK so long as they involve the above.
So what should NOT be sent in a message to the CR list? It should be fairly obvious from the above, but a message posted to the CR list should directly involve the stated vintage bike time line and categories....
Yet we have folks posting and then defending such things as charity rides announcements, selling out-of-time-line goods, automobile and motorcycle topics, questions about riding techniques and modern equipment, and most recently, a riding log.
All these topics are surely legitimate things that cyclists might like to chat about but they are totally out of place in this forum. There are other, broader spectrum forums on which these topics would be allowed and welcome, most well known of which is the very excellent <A HREF="http://www.bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/internet-bob">Bob List</A>.
I must add that the obligation to stay on topic is mandatory, not voluntary. Please find another list if you cannot oblige .......
So thanks in advance for helping us all stay on track and understand why I might have to vacate someone who doesn't buy into the program..
Dale Brown <A HREF="http://www.classicrendezvous.com/main.htm">Classic Rendezvous</A> l ist manager Greensboro, North Carolina