For those interested:
A few members of the Brooklyn Vintage Velodrome Wheelmen got together last Saturday for a few laps around Prospect Park in Brooklyn. It being my first time visiting Prospect Park in my 44 years living in NY, I missed the exit and had to make my way through the neighborhoods, arriving late. Conveniently, the ride is a 3 something mile loop and I was able to meet the group as they made their way around. This loop type ride is very conducive to a vintage ride, where riders of all abilities on any sort of vintage iron can find an excuse to stop, regroup, and ogle and discuss the assemblage of bikes. The wide, car-free road makes it possible to ride side by side with no worries. You can ride as little or as much as your time allows. Arrive late, leave early. Fixed gear was a breeze (I used a 44/17, Nino a 44/18). If you live anywhere nearby, I highly recommend trying to make the next ride, whenever that is.
Arriving late:
http://www.centerportcycles.com/
We took the opportunity to take a group photo, and, thanks to Bill, here
is the result:
http://www.centerportcycles.com/
John Pergolizzi has identified the cohorts as, L to R: Vito, John Pergolizzi, Chuck Damsky, Nino Hellman, Carlyle Tam, Christos Vlahos, Josh Berger, Paul Lee, Tom Adams, Antonio Gulino. Taking the shot: Bill Vojtech.
Bikes were, respectively, Tomassini, Curt Goodrich, Rivendell, Vianelli,
Poliaghi?, Ferrari Colnago (way OT! but amazingly light), Cinelli,
Raleigh, MKM, Spectrum, Waterford.
http://www.centerportcycles.com/
We also had an impromptu mini seminar on Josh's Cinelli's Bivalent hubs,
thanks to the Omnipotent Despot.
http://www.centerportcycles.com/
I went home with my latest acquisition, a large (63 cm), old (no holes in lugs, BB port), updated (braze-ons, chrome stripped, repainted black via Spence Wolf) Cinelli. The recent threads on CR got the best of me. I am anxious to ride it and find out if there is something to this "Cinelli Magic Carpet Ride" or whatever.
Also, to brighten my day, when I called to check in at home, my wife informs me that someone called and had an old bike for me. Being the wonderful (understanding) woman that she is, she apparently ran right out and picked it up. She wouldn't tell me who called or what the bike was, only that it was cool, and her size, and was waiting for me in the kitchen for when I got home. "Hurry home."
It was a deep maroon 1967 Raleigh Sprite 5 speed (SA, top tube twin levers) in excellent condition with matching rear rack.
Later,
Paul Lee Huntington NY
(and many thanks to my personal picture posting service ;^), Jamie Swan, Centerport Cycles)