[CR]A Good Day

(Example: Framebuilders:Chris Pauley)

From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@cox.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <4.0.1.20041008095337.015f9870@gwpop.wvu.edu>
Subject: [CR]A Good Day
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 20:31:54 -0400
reply-type=original

Warning, no Campagnolo..., serial number..., how many..., eBay outing... or otherwise in this post.

Can I post about a nice day that included vintage lightweights? It's mostly on tyopic. OK, I will then.

Woke at 7:30 - that's late for me. Good nights sleep, off to a good start. Look outside and except for few white clouds, the sun is shining and thermometer already shows mid-50's. I make some good coffee. Daughter makes waffles from scratch for family. Yummy. The day is really looking good. I supervise my two kids, Leah and Aaron, (15 and almost 11 respectively) change the oil in their dirtbikes; yes, I do that too. Great satisfaction for me as they seem to finally have command of this important maintenance item. Next, my son and I suit up for our weekend bicycle ride. Last week we mapped out a 24 miler and we are both excited to get going. This will be his longest ride yet. Aaron on his Peugeot mini racer (UG 45 CX) which is like an 18 inched frame, 24 inch wheeled UO-8. Even has Christophe mini toe clips to get him prepared for real toe clips next season. He was suited up in his kids size, perfect fitting wool Peugeot jersey and black shorts (purchased from the infamous eBay Collalbo). Me on my champagne 1974 Raleigh International; she's mostly all original, even down to the AVA rims and tubular tires but I've replaced the bar and stem with a period 3ttt; hate those original cheapo looking GB stems and non-descript bars. I had on my Cool Gear leather shoes, Kucharik wool shorts and my CR wool jersey. Weather was fabulous at about 62 degrees, sunny with just an occasional breeze. Few cars on the roads. My son has really come to use a 10 speed intuitively. He only had one mishift today (he's done about 175 miles with me in the past 6 weeks or so), nobody dropped a chain, flatted or any other nonsense. Then, as if it could not get any better, the new Brooks Pro saddle I put on her about 450 miles ago was perfectly comfortable - she's finally broken in! Why such excitement over that? Well, of all the bikes I've owned and own, I only ever broke in one new Brooks saddle and that was my first Peugeot PX-10 back in 1973. I have always used nice used Brooks saddles but two years ago bought a bunch of new ones for my regular rides. This is the first of that batch to finally feel 100% comfy. Yes, that just seemed to top off what was already a great ride. Anyhow, of the few intersections we hit, got mostly green lights and no traffic worries, we both made it up a long, steep, killer hill (me with my stock 42/24 gearing), enjoyed each others company and chatted most of the ride, foliage was near peak and spectacular and then got home in time for my daughter to treat us to some kind of homemade hearty vegetarian soup.

Off topic: After lunch a full 3 hours of dirt biking on the trails near our home with both kids. Lot's of fun, got totally muddied up.

Back on topic: Gotta love having a 15 year old daughter that rides bicycles with you (all summer) and also asks ME to go riding (dirtbiking) with her. How long will this last? Don't know, but I can say that my vintage lightweight hobby is all the more satisfying this year by having two kids that enjoy bicycling so much.

Wife made grilled salmon for dinner.

I'm happy, I love my bikes, my kids and this list. Very fulfilling. Thanks for listening; hope it dosn't sound too corny. Life is good.

Eric Elman
Somers, CT