CR FOLK:
I can still feel the warm afterglow (& sunburn) of the 50th Anniversary party at the Cupertino Bike Shop yesterday, a 4-hour blitz of amazing bikes and bikies. My 2-volt brain cant manage an exhaustive description of the event, but listed below are a few blurbs about it.
Best Bike, my pick: The 1963 Bianchi Speciallissima of Frank Spivey he of "Drillium" fame which is built of intricately machined and filed parts. The cantilever brake cable routing is impressively direct and responsive: the front goes through an exquisitely sculpted Cinelli 1A stem, whereas the rear is routed into the top tube and then out through the seatpost via a refined stainless guide.
Best Fleet: the Johnsons fielded a massive armada of impressive bikes, both the house-brand and otherwise, to which we can add Chucks sparkly green drillium show-bike.
Most Unassuming Monument: The garage of the former Wolf residence & shop, which we visited on our ride. It appears that all the Cinelli has been pretty well washed off it by now. Here Peter told a few stories about the old days.
Most Humorous Quote: from Brett Horton, after being asked how he managed to pursuade the likes of Maertens and Merckx and Zabel to part with their precious wares. Alas, delicacy and a decent regard for the prim sensibilities of Pam Knight restrain me from revealing the actual words. What a hoot, though.
Biggest Surprise: when the pelloton hit Mt. Eden on their straight-blocked show bikes. (When asked beforehand if the ride had any hills, Vance had held up his hand with his fingers close together, to indicate little ones.)
Emmy for Best Cinematography: to Jan, who kept the tape rolling even while riding. She was also observed at least once atop the shop roof, getting the bigger picture. Actually, the bikes at this gig were outnumbered only by the cameras Im looking forward to seeing some swell pix.
Happy 50th to Vance and the shop, and thanks for the swell BBQ.
Also thanks to Chris Gonzalez who let me hang my Zeus on the stand below his chrome Hetchins with the wild handlebars.
And thanks to all the folks who brought out their treasures it was nice to meet yall! In fact, I am already eagerly anticipating the shops 100th anniversary!
Brad Stockwell
Palo Alto
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