I have been reading the list for several years now with much enjoyment but this may be the first time I have asked a question. This is related to the current thread on riding our vintage bikes. I enjoy riding older bicycles on randonnee events around 200 - 300k. There is currently on ebay a Motobecane Grand Touring bicycle (item 7124602886) that I am watching, and wonder if there is anyone who might venture an opinion on the potential of this bicycle as a fast (well, relatively speaking) audax bicycle?. Are there other, not too expensive, vintage bikes worth looking for, considering that I would be loathe to ride an especially valuable bike long distances in the rain, to trust it to the airlines, etc.?
Thanks very much.
Richard Elliott Macon, GA
Richard L. Elliott, MD, PhD, FAPA
elliott_rl@mercer.edu