When I was much younger (c.1975?), skinnier (6'3", 170), and living a somewhat counter-culture lifestyle, I was out riding around the san jose state college area on my old Gitane when I came acrost Shaw's Lightweight Cycles. That was the start of many years of enjoyment and familiarity, Terry is the man most responsible for instilling a fervor and interest in me for cycling that has managed to persist to this day. A lot of you might recall my stumbling across CR a year ago when I was in the UK working, and how just contact with other enthusiasts got me back on the bike after a long hiatus. CR fanned to coals that were first lit by Terry. Three times a week we'd set out in front of the old William Street shop waiting for the man to close up shop and head out for a training ride on Silver Creek (an area long since developed into old-folk's gated communities.) Often I'd chase guys like Gios-man, or Terry on his orange Holdsworth (wasn't that a "fixie"?) but gradually, over the span of a coupla few years, these same guys would occasionally be chasing me! (or at least let me believe I was bein chased) I even graduated to fixed-gear riding at the Hellyer Velodrome. What a gas THAT was when I could go there and get the key to the gate and train there alone, afternoons, before going into my swing shift job! No insurance worries or implied liabilities back then, just sprint til you nearly puked. Over the years I stayed fairly regular in contact with Shaw's. The shop moved to Santa Clara, but it was still a great place to go hang out. For about 6-8 years I became a total bicycle commuter, 365 days year round. Terry sold my my first set of red Bleumels fenders, and always ALWAYS seemed to compliment the blue Gitane when I'd pedal in. The '76 Sachs that I'd acquired in 78 never got a lot of attention from the guys, neither did my JRJ track bike...what seemed to get attention then was strong riding. Thank goodness that today (at least) the hardware can get some attention....since the strength riding is pretty much pfft. I saw Terry at the Spense Wolf 50th a few months back, we recognized each other almost as if maybe the holidays had gone by. I am much larger now, have a lot less hair, but know that if there are ANYthings I need hardware-wise, when I am in town in Silly-cone Valley, Shaw's will be the place I head back to.
f.w.i.w.
Phelpsie (the other Dale) Boulder CO
===== Dale B. Phelps, JWST Mission Assurance Manager 303 939 6967 303 208 8664 pager
http://www.ball.com/
"Never be afraid to try something new. The Ark was designed by amateurs. The Titanic was designed by professionals." - R. Buckminister Fuller
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