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>I could have used all three today. Someone will file a report , or I will after a rest.Almost a dozen fixed gearists attended the Millersville rib ride, including many CR's.
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>Some nice old iron in the freewheel dept as well.
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>Paul Raley's Hetchins won overall paint and detail and is a tough act to follow, and will be for a long time.
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> I did the long route, 38 miles, others did the extra long and the way extra long. They had a brake and I was brakeless so I didn't want to take too much a chance. Besides, I got srtarted late and had no idea about the longer ways.
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>I was also over geared with a 23/7 and the spokes were looser then I would have wanted, causing the wood to wobble unter the aging stick-ons and the crackling shellac.
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>Larry Black
>Mt Airy, Md.
Just back home from this ride, and it was great fun, but it was also the first "fixed gear ride" where I had to get off and walk up a hill. Even more humiliating, I had derailleurs, but the 42x28 was no match for the Maryland "flat" roads.
CR folks who showed up included the Sanford Bros, Paul Raley, Dan Artley and myself. Larry Black caught us at the lunch stop, or rather we caught up to him as he took the "short" route after a late start. The rest of us were taking the "medium short" route. Next time I'll take the "no hills" or "wuss" route.
Dan Artley's nice Raleigh Pro fixie conversion made it's CR debut, the Sanfords were up on a lovely pearl Eisentraut and a Zaconato (?) made up with Pacenti customized lugs (both fixed), and Larry was showing off on an inch pitch BSA (?) with wood rims and no brakes. His heavy leather gloves showed plenty of palm abrasions, so I suppose he used the "palm on tire" method to get stopped on the hills. I was riding my refinished MKM, outfitted with 1st gen black Dura Ace. Although I didn't bring enough low gears (or a tire pump) at least my newly finished wheels held me up all the way to the finish line. And no flats!
But nicest bike award goes to Paul Raley, who's Hetchins with home grown paint job, lug lining and double box pinstriping was the belle of the ball. Extra points for the matching Jaguar bike transporter, but the car still needs the box lining. The Hetchins had a Benelux (?) rear unit, apparently a 1/8 chain unit, but Paul was using a normal road chain to squeeze in an extra rear cog on the Airlight (?) hubs. Cranks were a single ring Charter Lea cottered unit, brakes were Mafac racers that didn't squeal at all!
Paul unfortunately had the only flat on the ride, and it took three of us to get the rear wheel back in (of COURSE it was the rear that flatted). A scout for US Postal was driving by and was going to hire us to work the team cars in Europe this summer but changed his mind when he saw our 8 minute wheel change. However we finally got the bike reassembled, and off we went to lunch.
We also drew some poor 17 year old waiter at the BBQ lunch stop who couldn't seem to grasp the concept of a pitcher of beer. Nor the concept of seperate checks. But once we decifered the bill ("bk pot" = baked potato), we all paid up and got on the road. There were a large assortment of squeaks, creaks and groans as we rode away from lunch, but the bikes were mercifully silent.
Anyway, we all got back safely, I'm overdue for a long shower, and I'll let others add what I've missed. Thanks to Dan A for posting this to the CR list, and everyone who came. I look forward to my next ride in Maryland, but I'll be sure to have a 27 inch low gear.
Tom Adams, sore legs but happy in Shrewsbury NJ