Dear members: I am making an important and well considered exception in the CR list selling of Boot's bikes. No pre-established prices are being stated, which as you know is a normally held-fast rule. I suggest that interested parties contact Larry and after being able to preview the bikes' features and hopefully pictures, make an offer to Larry and if it's reasonable, hopefully Larry will handle the purchase. I think eBay while a logical way to do this, is something Boots could not engage in....
I hope the reason for this exception is obvious if you read Larry's somewhat rambling but persuasive description of Boots & wife's situation...If not, I cut & pasted a trimmed down version below.
In a message dated 1/30/2004 12:09:43 AM Eastern Standard Time, ABikie@aol.com writes:
<< I just returned from another visit to Oliver Newton ' Boots' Ward, a cycling and bike shop legend in the DC and suburban Md and Va cycling scene since the 1940's. Boots is 82 and still carries the stature of a cyclist and weight trainer from his earlier years, although moat cycling these days is relegated to an indoor bike.
Boots was a mentor to hundreds and wheelbuilder to thousands for many decades. When I started at Maryland Cycle, we were working on bikes inverted on the floors and hanging from ropes. Boots got to use the sole Eldi stand in the middle room of the shop. When the shop was bought out in 1972 by a couple of know-little bike boom opportunists, Boots was the elder statesman and mentor. We longhairs from the movements were learning all we could on the ways and means of bike shop protocol. tireless laundered limericks were de regeur as well.
.......snip.........
Boots was the inspiration. Taught us to fix 'em, ride 'em, build the wheels, race the rollers in his basement. Taught us that real cyclists speed skate in winter, a great excuse for keeping the legs shaved year round. Never seen Boots with a hair below the hip.
Boots is starting to fade in the memory, but nonetheless a content man. He has little use for the basement full of cool old bikes these days. His wife of 42 years, 20 years his junior, will be out of work in a month. Her business partner, Don the surfer, Speed skater, cyclist, rollerblader, and all around jock, is 62 and their 35-year-old business is closing. They have little retirement, and Boots draws a very small pension from service in the 40's. Boots built wheels for the local giant District Cycle for 20 years at an average $2 per wheel - in merchandise!!!
For those from the NY area, Boots was this area's Vito Perucci. There were similar guys in the Chicago, Detroit, and Dayton areas but I cannot recall their names. Guys that gave others the start, the reason, the inspiration, and often the stuff needed to get into the ride and the bike.. Here's a list of bikes that are all original owner machines, all from the 50's and 60's, and all too bug for me; sizes are between 23 1/2" and 25"
I will get photos and better descriptions on demand. Boots and Sandy need the money to live- she has no retirement from her shop and almost nothing socked away. I've taken a few token items, some spokes, and other small things every time i visit and donating a few hundred dollars per visit, but selling the bikes would be a good boost, and a true aficionado would be a great way to preserve the bikes and the legacy
- Higgins (not sears Higgins) British track 531 DB Gold. Inch pitch.24x9. Tubulars, block chain, brooks, clips, straps, airite hubs, 'dural cranks'
- Jack Taylor. Red. Track, 531 DB 24x8 inch pitch, brooks, clips, straps, airlite hubs, 27" clinchers, Dural Cranks
- Teledyne Titanium, 10 sp, brooks, Campy NR, 48/52 rings, clean, little use
- Viking, English 531 DB blue, Tubulars, Brooks, campy crank (probably 151), Mafac CP brakes, Looked like pre-racer
- Condor, English, gold plated. This was presented as a special gift from Mike Schewering of Georgetown cycles at a ceremony in DC. Campy NR,Mafac brakes, early 70's
- Carpenter English 531 DB. Blue, Tubulars, Campy early NR, brooks, Campy HF hubs
- Bob Jackson Blue with white panels, 48-52, tubulars, Mafac CP, brooks
- Joco Ronde Van Europa Dutch track bike. Tubulars, Airlite hubs, Dural Crank, brooks saddle.
Descriptions are from Boot's transcribing to Sandy, and a (need) little clarification by me
please get back to me if interested. I can help him ship and prepare them in any way. Boots is located near our college Park shop and not too far from Jill's Proteus shop
Larry black
Mt airy, Md >>