Re: [CR]Was Gios on ebay, now clarification/apology

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

From: <"brianbaylis@juno.com">
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 07:58:54 GMT
To: Retrofan531@allegiance.tv
Subject: Re: [CR]Was Gios on ebay, now clarification/apology
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

Frank,

No need to apologize. We are in fact all of one mind in the most essential part. It was me in fact that overcooked my post in the first place. There are many and varied interests and points of view on the list; but we all love vintage bikes in one way or another.

I hear the words elitism and snob on the list every so often, but honestly I do not see it myself. Perhaps I don't pay that close attention. As far as I know every opinion is valid, everyone who writes or even just lurks counts. As far as bikes go, most of what I have and enjoy are pretty regular. Many of the bikes I'm most fond of are not what many consider the "elite" bikes. My Lippy and my Flying Scot are super bikes and ride much nicer than any of the 3 Masis I have. I have a soft spot (in my head) for older Masis mainly on account of my heritage with them, but I'd choose a Colnago in a heartbeat to ride. All of the people I know really well and have LOTS of super cool bikes are pretty much the same. It's nice to have a few things that are of historical interest and are pretty original when it comes time for show and tell; but every one of these guys also have a lot of regular bikes just like the rest of us and they find pleasure in even the most humble Peugeot PX-10, as do I. We are all much more alike than one might think. I suspect any eliteism is more in our heads than in reality.

Anyway, I'm glad we're all still friends. You guys are the only friends I have, aside from my bandmates; and not a one of them gives a rat's ass about bikes.

Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA I put my pants on both legs at once while hovering in the air; just like the rest of you guys.


-- "Retrofan531" wrote:


Very classy, Brian. I may well indeed have overreacted, and I apologize to you for not considering the context of your many postings and focusing on this particular one.

My frustration comes from what seems to be an elitism that I perceive on the CR list that there is a caste system to the CR membership. Some postings lead me to feel as if there is a belief that there is but one way to be involved in the vintage side of the bike hobby. The problem with that is that there is no absolute to this hobby, only opinions.

There are many facets to this wonderful vintage bike hobby, and that includes KOF, restorations, "original only", sales of parts to finance new purchases, and too many more to mention. It seems to me that our common love for vintage bikes, no matter what the degree, brings us together in Dale's living room.

I see no benefit to us as individuals, or to our hobby in total, for there to be lines drawn among our ranks that serve to divide us into who does or doesn't participate in this hobby the way they "ought to".

Frank Phillips
McAlester, OK