I first met Dave though a mutual friend. It was at the anniversary party for Peter Rich and his Velo Sport bike shop in Berkeley two years ago, a who's who of the cycling world in California and beyond.
I had asked Peter Johnson for some suggestions of speakers for the upcoming '02 Velo Rendezvous and Peter said that I had to meet Dave Staub. What a warm friendly guy. Dave told me he lived in Orange County and I mentioned that there was a monthly vintage ride at the Rose Bowl and some other vintage rides around Southern California that he might enjoy. Eventually he did come, at Peter's urging I think, and of course hit it off immediately with the regulars.
I eventually mentioned that I'd love to have him speak at the upcoming Velo Rendezvous '02; he agreed immediately. Wanted to give a talk about the Schwinn Paramount. I said that what I had in mind was more about racing as a kid in San Francisco in the early 1950s and his racing in Europe etc.
Well of course his presentation was one of the most memorable of the day. And Dave seemed to enjoy telling about his early days as much as we enjoyed hearing about them. Some stories he was remembering for the first time which really tickled him!
Wayne Bingham's picture taken inside La Casita during Dave's talk
perfectly captures the delight on Dave's face!
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Dave's attendance at the local vintage rides was a treat too. He always made a point of bringing something new he had found on eBay or the local swaps, rider's cards or snap shots, to share with everyone. And on the rides you could roll up beside Dave and ask him about hanging around Cino's shop in Milan as a teen and did Cino really just wave for you to follow him and meet Fausto Coppi over at the Vigorelli?!?!?
I can't explain how much I looked forward to the future untold stories to unfold at upcoming rides, Velo Rendezvous and Le Cirque events.
Of course I'm sitting here in front of my computer typing this out close to midnight after cleaning up my ride for tomorrow's vintage event and wondering what cool item Dave is going to show up with to share as we stand around in the cool morning air waiting for the ride to start...