Reading through the Art Stump section on the CR website I saw mention of Charlie Harding. When I first took up serious cycling around 79 I had the luck to bring the second hand SR equipped Ritchey Id just bought into Charlies shop in Westwood for service. I know Westwood Cyclery was a pretty major shop in the 60s but by then the place seemed to be just barely hangin on, as at the time his shop was pretty out of vogue. The place still stocked English 3-speeds, and no BMXers ever went in there (I know cuz I was one just a few years earlier). Anyway, Charlie always took great care of me and learned me much about the ways of road cycling and the mysteries of sew-ups, cleated shoes, etc. I was a loyal customer and felt well rewarded for being such. His family made frames in Ireland and I eventually bought one, as the Ritchey was way too big for me. It was a great bike and I rode the hell out of until about 84 when life got complicated and I gave up riding, and eventually moved from that area. I know the bike shop is long gone, but does anybody have a line on what Charlie is doing (if hes still with us). Or any info on Harding frames, as Ive never seen mention of them. Would love to say hi, and tell him Im riding again and doing well with it.
Otis Williams
Grants Pass OR