Veloswap report: Part II
meanwhile back at the feeding frenzy...
The other guys were engulfed in tearing pieces off of the table while I quietly stood and sorted around just for fun. I spied a handlebar mounted WB cage with plastic bottle that would work for my Masi special so as to avoid clamping one to the down tube. I looked it over and it was slightly tweaked, but fixable. I asked Curtis Anthony how much for the misfit bottle and cage. He looked at it for a second and then it disappeared behind his back. Then he told me to "pick a hand". After some deliberation I selected. I was correct and then he have it to me, FREE! Cool! I love to play games like that. Happy as a clam and thankful I left the others to finish their breakfast of bike parts. I wandered around for a while, found a few small goodies and by 9 or 10am I was basically toast. That's when I took my post at the table in the booth. Shortly, people began to filter by and a number of CR listmembers stopped by to say hello and to see for themselves what the Troll of La Mesa looks like. Hey, I look just like any other troll, but uglier. I really enjoy talking to CR members and others who are interested in the old bikes. Countless times as I sat there I could see the nostalgic gleem in the eye light up as they realized what they were looking at. We really did have the coolest bikes in the place. I spent much of my day telling clueless nimrods that the bikes weren't for sale or that you really can't put a value on owning such a bike. I enjoyed comming up with as many variations as I could to answer the questions.
Jan I'm sure will agree with me that one person in particular was the "highlight" of the day. Near the end of the LONG day as Matty and I were sitting at the table and Jan was a few feet away at her table, there suddenly appeared a gentleman who was wheeling a custom made Eisentraut fixed gear bike into the booth. I didn't even see the bike at first on account of this guy was dressed, shall we say "a little differently than most other folks there". Actually it's safe to say differently than everyone there; and considering were amongst SF bike culture people, THAT'S saying a lot right there. This guy ever topped the "Bicycle Rodeo" people who are quite "unique" themselves. The guy strolls right up to Jan in her booth and begins to dance around the place like Fred Astair(sp), no wait a minute, more like Mr. Green Jeans from Captain Kangaroo, SERIOUSLY! At first we were all sort of wondering what this yahoo was up to but as he got to Jan who began to pretend that he wasn't even there before he was in front of her; but the look on her face as she realized he was going directly to her was priceless. Chuck and I looked at each other and cracked up as we both caught the look on her face as this guy continued to dance around like Barnie the dinosaur. Jan ALWAYS knows how to respond to anyone and any situation I've ever seen until that moment. Not only was she speechless, she was clearly uncertain what to make of this very strange overature. This went on for a considerable time. Suddely Matty got up to bail Jan out in case this guy was really a nut job. Jan was extrememly thankful! I was still in shock.
Eventually the drugs or whatever wore off and we actually started to talk to the guy. Nice guy, a little different perhaps but a didicated fixed gear dude for sure. We checked out the bike and it was pretty cool and for a very specific purpose. Joel Metz was there and we all finally settled into the situation with comfort. OK, now for the hard part; explaining what he was wearing. Full suit of clothes, jacket, shirt, pants, and BOW TIE made from a sparkleing material that looked like it was made on another planet. I'm sure this material has made many a Hollywood alien space uniform or dress for a Hollywood hooker. I sparkled in multicolors over a field of bright shimmering silver. WOW. The rest of the outfit was classic. Purple baseball hat with "Psyclist" or something like that embroidered on the front. The thing I liked best were the standard battered tennis shoes. I've GOT to meet his tailor.... right! What an experience!
The day finally ended and we went to the hotel to check in and wait for Jan to finish her duties there. We planned to have dinner at Jans favorite place E'Angelo with the staff of Velonews. There were about 15 of us including Charles Andrews and Carmen along with the rest of us. Brian Ignatin opened two bottles of his own creation which was quite good. The others with more sophisticated wine palates had more eloquent superlatives for his fine work. On the way over to the resturaunt Matty decided to recreat some of the chase scene from the movie "Bullit" through the streets of San Francisco. The car full of Velonews staffers from Boulder, CO were trying to follow at close range so as not to lose us. Matty tested the driver to the MAX as the lights and other traffic factors were often against us. I was thinking more of "Deathrace 2000" as Matty led the followers through town like were were on "Mr. Toads Wild Ride" at Disneyland! Midway through the drive Jans cell phone rings. She answers. The caller inquires " Is that you guys in a white Honda minivan directly in front of us". Jan responds, "Yes". Then the caller screams " Are you trying to Kill us all? What the hell are you guys doing?" We were all rolling on the floor laughing, it was so funny. What do you suppose they would have done if they had been following the WRONG car. THAT would have been even funnier. Matty says the driver passed the "test" with flying colors; and at least they found the resturaunt! We all had a good laugh once we got out of the cars.
As Jan said, the food was fantastic. I did have the Lasgana and it was indeed the best I've ever had. It turns out the entertainment was good too. It was provided courtesy of one of the other patrons. Apparently Peter, Chuck, and Matty were treated to a "thong show" when someone sitting behind me did some odd manuvers at the table, even dropping a bottle of something on the floor in the process. Since I don't have eyes in the back of my head I missed it; but apparently those who got a look were quite impressed. We had to hear about it the rest of the night. I need to grow some eyes in the back of my head! We stopped at Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream after dinner but I passed, which I almost never do with ice cream, because it was so cold out. I was having difficulty maintaining enough body temp. to sustain life.
We drove back to the hotel without a chase car. They made it back fine without us; as a matter of they were probably much better off without us! Matty loves to drive. I think he thinks he's Steve McQueen. Actually, he's much cooler than that! These guys are a riot to pal around with. Spices up my otherwise timid existence.
Once at the hotel, we were all so tired and in need of sleep that there was no conversation. We all slept like rocks. I'll recount the ride from American Cyclery the following day in the final installment. We prayed for dry and warmer weather for the ride, and then we retired.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Thanks to everyone who told me how to do it right. I think this will work!