Re: [CR] Is anyone racing older bikes?

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

From: "Louis Schulman" <louiss@gate.net>
To: "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, "Shannon Menkveld" <shannon.menkveld@cox.net>
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 21:19:33 -0400 (EDT)
In-Reply-To: <88E9C5BE-A466-11D8-ACC4-0050E4FA0552@cox.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Is anyone racing older bikes?


Well, in 1999 I rolled up to the start line on a slightly off-topic but nevertheless lugged steel Stowe Europro with downtube shifters in the Cat. 5 Florida State Road Championship. I don't think anyone thought I would finish. They thought I was just a nut. I finished 5th. The Cat 5 race was combined with the Cat 4 race. I finished 15th overall (out of about 130 starters).

I wasn't handicapped by the age of the bike. I was handicapped by the age of the rider (I was 45 at the time).

I was in the lead group until the climb to the finish. I finished about 25 secs back. The course was hilly with a few steep climbs. We averaged over 26 mph over 35 miles.

If my bike had had STI, and been weightless, it wouldn't have made the slightest difference, IMHO.

If I had weighed 20 lbs less, and been 20 years younger, that would have made a difference.

Louis Schulman Tampa, FL (Yes, there ARE very tough climbs in Florida.)

On Wed, 12 May 2004 15:48:49 -0700, Shannon Menkveld wrote:

#Leaving the pros and elite amateurs out of the equation is probably #useful, so I offer this question: # #Has anyone rolled up to the start line of a cat 3 or lower race on an #on-topic bike? How did you do? Did you feel handicapped by your bike? #And most importantly, what did the other racers say? # #Shannon Menkveld #San Diego, CA # #_______________________________________________ #Classicrendezvous mailing list #Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org #http://www.bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/classicrendezvous