In reading the announcement about the Cupertino Bike Shop 50th anniversary
celebration, I had to write a note. In 1967 I was a junior competing in
Northern California...lots of incredible riding, few cars, with 6 month old
magazines about racing in Europe...ahhh, Anquetil, Poulidor...classic racing.
On the way home from racing at the Hellyer Velodrome, we stopped in at
Cupertino Bike Shop, yes, the Randy Lane location as part of Spence's home.
I took home a set of Campy small flange, tied/soldered, wood filled
(Weltmeister?) wheels built by Spence. I dont remember how much I paid, but
in those days a complete campy (weinman brakes) Schwinn Paramount cost me
$195! And all chrome! Those wheels served me in many years of racing, over
all kinds of surfaces, Mt. Hamilton, grass track and paved crits...never
failing...so light with 220 Clement Crit silks...oh how they singed! His
wheels were magic. When I saddened by hearing of Spence's passing a few years
ago, I recall his enthusiasm for cycling; I was the wide-eyed 16 year old who
discovered life through cycling. I will never forget those wheels, or
Spence. Thanks for the memories. (Ed Kinney).