[CR]Chicago Swap Meet Report

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

From: Tom Hayes <hayesbikes@nls.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 12:07:55 -0600
Subject: [CR]Chicago Swap Meet Report

I thought I had sent this earlier--maybe I did--but I never received a copy of it, and it doesn't show up in the archives. What is contained in the epistle (it is, after all, Sunday) is not so vital that it warrants resending should I have missed it, and this becomes a duplicate. I did, however, want to suggest to others, who might consider attending this event next year should it occur (and Peter's earlier letter suggests Velo News is committed to holding it again), that it can only get better, and this year's was, for me, worthwhile.

Went to the Chicago Velo Swap yesterday. Since this was Velo News' first Chicago swap, my expectations were not terribly high. The meet surpassed my expectations.

Other than hooking up and chatting with other bikegoofs--Greg Parker, John Barron, Richard Cielec, Larry Osborn, Scott , Peter Naiman. and others whose names now escape me--there were a few good bikes there. A 60's Paramount track bike, a 70's Guerciotti (spelling?) track, a late seventies Holdsworth (way too much money even with three wheelsets), a Roberts frame that still was there at $200 when I left in the early afternoon, and there were some fairly good vintage parts. The venue did seem dominated by the larger bike stores and manufacturers, but they, I suspect, offer the most financial support for the swap.

While I would rank it less than Trexlertown and Cirque for finds and offerings, I would like to think that this one has the potential to become a good source for vintage parts. Chicago is, after all, considered a pretty good biking town. I hope that Velo News stays with it for a couple of years.

And, I don't care what any native Chicago folks say, Chicago freeway traffic is unacceptable. If one becomes accustomed to it, one has accepted the intolerable.

Bordering on road rage, I am happily home.

Tom Hayes
Chagrin Falls, Ohio