Felix,
Thanks for the ride report. Sounds like you guys may have had ALMOST as much fun as we had down here in the south of California.
We gathered down here(about 25 of us ultimately) for a fantastic jaunt on the SoCal coastline, where the weather and company are second to none. Our most generous host put on a party that is what this "hobby/passion" is really all about. Providing an opportunity for us to ride our classics, all together at one time, share stories, parts, and information and generally get to know each other and their bikes. This stuff is PRICELESS!
I'd like to just thank every person or group who makes the effort and spends the time and money to hold these meetings that benifit us all so much. We have an unbelieveable group down here with many generous people who are the glue that keeps us in one piece. The BVVW, the Florida Faction, the Atlanta Group, the midwest crowd, and Cal north and south all seem to have these small groups and the few who bring ua all together. I personally can't thank these special people enough for doing this. Without these frequent mergings, our accumulations and our own efforts would probably go unnoticed and largely unappreciated.
Take the time to make sure these people know how much their kindness means to us. I'm sure we all do, but I can't express it enough, myself.
My main goal in this post is to acknowledge these important people, the ones who call the monthly rides, host our gatherings, put on the Major Events. Honestly, the rides are what make the whole thing worthwhile. Thanks from me to all of you!
I don't know if I have the security clearance to fill in the actual events of the ride. But if anyone had more FUN and GREAT bikes than we did, I would be very surprised. OK, so we had no birthday cake; but it doesn't take much beer and pizza to forget about that. Love you guys up north, BTW. We've "cross pollenated" each others partys enough times to know that we all like the same kind of fun. Maybe we should chop out the middle of CA so we can all get together more often.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Got a much needed sunburn on my legs yesterday.
Hi List,
We had another fun and wonderful Silicon Valley Ride today. The day started out partly overcast in most parts of the Bay Area and even drizzling on the North Bay according to Bob Freitas. By the gathering time at Woodside, the sun came out and would grace us the rest of the day. It was in the low 70's all day with a light breeze and sunshine - perfect riding weather. We had a good turn out and rode thru some very pretty roads in the rolling terrain of Woodside and the Portola Valley. It was probably about 25 to 30 miles long with a couple of obligatory Peter Johnson led off-road detours. We rode along at a leisurely pace, staying together, admiring each others bikes, enjoying the company and only lost two people on the way, both of whom we found later. After the ride we had a nice picnic lunch at the Woodside School and celebrated Peter Johnson's and Dave Clementson's birthdays. How Jan packed the birthday cake and the utensils with her on the bike, we will never know.
As the subject line suggested, about three quarters of the people that came on the ride debuted new bikes. I will try to capture some of them from memory.
First the Debutants (the bikes):
- Greg Davis, a beautiful early '60's Bianchi Team issue with totally period equipment.
- Dave Clementson, mid '70's Lighthouse Tourer complete with leather shoulder carrying strap. Dug out of Greg Davis' garage. Dave, maybe you can tell the list more about the bike.
- Guy Apple, '78 Cal Masi with less than 150 original miles and looked brand new.
- Dave Martinez, early '80's Cinelli SC in a nice metallic rose color.
- Peter Johnson, early '60's Legnano with all the correct equipment, of course.
- Marc St. Martin, 1975 Peter Johnson.
- Chris from Bicycle Outfitters (sorry forgot your last name), both the rider and bike are debutants, a very nice, original, silver colored, mid '70's Cinelli SC that he 'stole' from some customer a few years ago.
- Bob Freitas, a Montelatici. The first one I've seen that's not naked.
- Brad Stockwell, rode up to meet us at the end, a Colnago Super with more early '70's Colnago panto bits and drilled out parts than any I've seen.
- YHS (Felix Chiu), a freshly restored 1980 Gios Super Record.
Also on the Ride:
- Jan Johnson, on a Peter Johnson.
- Ted (sorry forgot your last name), 1981 Colnago Super. Also, dug out of Greg Davis' garage.
- Sarah Clementson, KOF steel Waterford with modern equipment.
- Gron Perry, fresh from double knee replacement surgery six months ago, a 1975 Jeff Lyon that he ordered new.
Hope I haven't left out anyone. I'm looking forward to the next ride already.
Felix Chiu
Foster City, CA