Listmembers,
I'm finding that I have too may fires to put out and not enough time to write all that I would like. Therefore, I will condense my writings to my favorite parts. Having arrived Thurs. afternoon I was in time to join some of the earlybirds for a wonderful cookout at the home of Karen Schuckman that evening. As mentioned, the Marti Gras mask was a hit; and by the time the beer and wine was running low and having its' effect, John and Ray saw fit to entertain us. We got PLENTY even with Karens' noisy neighbors on this night; we partied until midnight or so outside next to a nice fire and a great group of friends.
I really enjoyed the rides we went on. Friday morning a few of us went out for a quick one to work up a hankering for breakfast. Roy, Perg and I were riding fixed gears. I thought that maybe 77" may be too much for the terrain in Greensboro. I didn't fully realize that until the end of the ride later in the day, by which time my legs were toast. Too few miles in my legs to run that gear for too far. Made it back from the second ride and decided I would drop it down to 73" and the single speed FW for the Sat. ride. There was a sizable group on the "Fixed Gear Fri." ride and we were led through many of the nicer parklined areas in town. The pace was comfortable and the company was fantastic the whole day. But by the end I was out of gas.
The lug demonstration at Dales' home workshop was well attended. It was like a garden party with bikes everywhere. The temperature was a bit warm and the humidity was increasing as a thunderstorm blew in out of nowhere. I began the grunt work of filing a lug and felt as if I had been locked in an oven. The act of talking alone was enough to start the sweat dropping off of my nose. I had to cut the process short, thank God, on account of the approaching rain. The small room was packed and everyone was uncomfortable. I was able to get the point across to those who were watching that most of the work on lugs comes after they are brazed on the frame. Still many have difficulty comprehending how this is so. At least I made a dent in some peoples' understanding of the framebuilding process as it relates to "artisian" frames.
We had another one of those great dinners; this time at a Mexican resturaunt. Many of us took notice of the beautiful hostess that was buzzing around the room like a bee to flowers. She was from Venezuela, with a look and an accent to die for. Oh My! We didn't need any dessert after that!
I remember one of those early sessions in Peters' and Richards' room where a small group of framebuilders and a few close friends broke out some beers and the stories and jokes began to fly. It is a warm-up for the rest of the event, and Peter Weigle delivered a good one and we all roared. Priceless.
I couldn't help but notice the Quaker Oats "Instant Grits" in the lobby of the hotel as we hung around Sat. morning. You just don't see that stuff out here in the west. Mornings at the Battleground are the best. People gather there and the stories and contacts develope. These are the things one can't put a price on in terms of value of the memories.
The Sat. introduction and ride from Dales' shop was what I was looking forward to. I hadn't brought a bike to ride in my previous visits, so this was what I was after. I'd never been out with so many framebuilders on one ride before. Everyone is so different, and yet so much the same. Somehow, Chris Kvale was not along for this one. I was thrashed from the previous day in too much gear so I dropped it down to 73" and a single FW. The ride started off a little slow and disjointed as we made our way out of town. There was a little traffic and a flat or two. Suddenly as we got out on the road the guys with gears started getting frisky. Hilarys' son (Kir?, what is the correct spelling?), Pergolizzi, and myself were the lone fixed or single speed people out on the road by the time the cards began to shuffle, I think. I can't imagine what John had to endure to survive the ride with fixed gear and no brake. Kir was right there in 69 gear inches and a brake, I was having to bridge gaps by making the best of my coasting and spinning for my life to stay up. John mentioned sprinting against a midget. He didn't mention what happened, but it was straight up as I had come from behind and bridged the gap from where I was to the lead group just as we about to crest an early hill. I rolled past most of the group to the front and there was my good buddy Pergolizzi. I looked over to him and I got the Chesire Cat grin from Perg. That means an impending sprint. We looked at each other and we were on the same page. I sent him a telegram, sure, I'm ready. The green light flashes and we step on it for the top of the hill. From what I understand everyone behind us were placing bets, just like the cycling game in the hotel. It was a clean fight, but one that both of us agreed would be the last of the day. Even that early in the ride I knew that if I was to make it back alive, that would be quite enough. The humidity takes a toll on us that are not used to it. By the end of the ride where there were a few more rollers. I was really whipped. The too tall gear from Fri. and my lack of miles was making it difficult to stay with the leaders over the climbs. Fortunately, Pergolizzi and the ride leader came along at the right time to drag me back to the pack, where upon cresting the final hills a push once each from Peter Weigle, Richard Sachs, and Jamie Swan allowed me to struggle to the finish while still conscious. I actually like suffering like that. I like to make the miles count, it's just too bad that it only takes 25 miles at moderate speed to get to that point. I need to ride more, but I have way too much work to do. I need some help in the paint department. I'm working on a solution.
I enjoyed in particular a few times during the event talking to Kirk Pacenti. I loved reaquainting with Peter Weigle in person (the phone just isn't the same), enjoyed the usual antics with Jan Johnson (some of that color was from forgetting sun screen on the Sat. ride), Pergolizzi, Ray Etherton (always a cut-up), and a few others. It's always great to hook up with Wayne Bingham and it was a pleasure to meet Ann Phillips in person. It really helps to know these people face to face. Had the pleasure of speaking with Bret Horton and buying a 60's Peugeot team jersey and met Steven Maaslands for the first time. We are becomming a closer and more mutually benificial community. I made a "promise" to join Mark Petry and Jeff Groman for a few days on beautiful Bainbridge Island sometime this summer. This is what the Cirque and simular events are all about. I can't fully explain how special it is to be able to get together with a large number of framebuilders in one place like this. The full time pros like Chris Kvale, Richie, Peter Weigle, and Curt Goodrich; the retired genius Peter Johnson(semi-retired now) and the parttime builders like Wesley Gadd and Jamie Swan make this event extra special for me. I figure if I hang around with guys like this I may learn how to do it myself someday. We are in fact a small community ourselves. I am particularly excited about Jamie Swan. Great person, creative thinker, and a machinist also. I hope everyone got a look at the top eyes he made for his touring bike. Just like the old Hetchins "twin flute" eye I love so much. He's going to make some for me. I'm planning to use a pair on the bike I'm going to build from the Pacenti lugs I'm working on. I predict awsome results. Someone is going to be getting a real special machine. That person is special, so everthing is working out. These connections are truely priceless.
The cycle racing game in the lobby and the auction on the 4th floor have been covered. One thing that must be noted is that without the presence of Pergolizzi and/or Jan Johnson these events would most likely not have been so memorable. Maurice Bresnahan actually started the betting frenzy and won 3 of the 4 races that I saw. I had to leave eventually because the noise level was getting to MY ears; ears that are the veterans of over 35 years of playing in rock bands! How is this possible? The 4th floor auction was the same, I couldn't take it. That's when I went down to the lobby and found some quiet time to talk with Kirk Pacenti about lugs, bikes, and life in general.
I have a difficult time listening to some of the speakers at these events partially on account of my tiredness from the ride, but also due to topics that I've heard previously or aren't my bag at times. The one exception was the "Peter Johnson Story". Some of the details of his early life were new to me which was facinating, but his delivery and his perspective were absolutely top notch. He had spent some time preparing note cards and was a little apprehensive about speaking in public; but like everything else Peter does, he was natural, interesting, and above all funny. The delivery was excellent. Bret Horton always has a facinating topic since he is pretty much a "pioneer" in his field. One can't help but be in awe of his collection of goodies. The TdF starting flag blew me away this time. In Pasadena last Oct. I was stunned by the Fausto jersey and the Merckx jerseys.
The show on Sunday was as usual, impressive. Each year everything gets better. I don't buy much at swaps but couldn't resist a Peugeot Team jersey from Bret Horton since I cut my teeth on a PX-10 in 1971 as my first bike. I pulled in a 27.4 seat post (bought from Chris Kvale, who understands why someone like me has a use for it) and a set of Prugnaut 62E lugs from Wes Gadd which will probably become my Eddy Merckx Hour Record replica frame someday. Pergolizzi bought me a Liotto frame for $35 which I will ride and enjoy in his honor. They are rare in this country and it needed a new home. I remember seeing the frame there last year. I hope I have enough parts hanging around here to build it up without having to buy stuff. Getting too many bikes in the works for myself. Still trying desperately to finish the Flying Scot and there are two Montes, the Liotto, a Colnago, and who knows what else waiting for some time to work on them. And then, where to put them?
There were some "awards" for various catagories of bikes. For some reason, I was singled out to recieve the "Homer Simpson/ Doughnut" T-shirt award presented by Ray Etherton. UMMMMMM, doughnuts! The award that I am most proud of though, was given by the CR listmembers through voting. Lou Deeter and Steven Maasland came up with the "BS" Award. I wasn't sure what it was for most of the time and I didn't send in a vote since I was notified that I was nomonated. I thought the BS stood for the most "Beastly Smell". I figured I had a shot at that. Turns out it was given for the "Best Stories" on the list this past year. I will be modeling the new BS shorts and jersey at the next ride for all to see. Sometimes being full of BS is worth it. I'm very proud. Thank you Lou Deeter and Steven Maasland and everyone one the list, regardless of who you voted for. Lou told me the voting was quite deffinite. It has been my pleasure to entertain you.
The final dinner at Gold India on Sunday nite was another good one. I sat across from one of my favorite recent vintage friends, Dave Staub, who was sitting next to Pergolizzi. We had a great time at dinner, I stuck to coffee but Dave and John killed off a few "Flying Horses" and they were having a good time as usual. Dave has the happiest face of anyone I know. The brew just makes it a little happier. Pergolizzi proposes a toast with Dave as he realizes the alcohol is taking effect. "Here's to beginning to feel it", he proposes. They laugh, I make a note for the quote of the day.
The "feeling it" is beginning to subside now as I "normalize" and get back to my routine. Another fantastic event in the bag. The crowds at our dinners are reaching critical mass. There are so many persons in attendence now that everywhere we go our group is like locusts decending upon the area. Time to begin planning to attend one of the two main events. You can't beat the weather in Pasadena in October. We got lucky this past weekend and missed pretty much all of the rain, but it was close. I'm sure some of the Sunday riders got a little wet.
Thanks again to everyone on the list that contributed to the BS Award. My former wife, a writer by trade, is jealous of my narural ability to spew crap through the written word. Now, if only there was some money in it!
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Too much fun for such a short amount of time.