The San Diego Vintage ride commences on the third sunday of every month. This week's ride began at "Ye Olde Bicycle Place and Cafe" located at 6794 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92115. Phone: (619) 582-4334.
Riders included Charles Andrews and Carmen (1968-1970 white pogliaghi tandem), Don Gillies (trek 510/triomphe), Brian Baylis (celeste bianchi/105), Peter Bridge (new arrival from colorado - medici/mavic), Jim Ogden (re-nuovo px-10), sterling peters (mercian path racer), Joe Bell (holland titanium painted in "pre-teen mascara" colors), and Matt Gorski (black rene herse 5-speed fully fenderized.) If I missed somebody please chime in to add your name.
The ride began with an unknown customer offering Dave Taitano $500 for a wonderful Colnago-like Italian machine of a little-known make, but it had super record gears and pantographed and painted chainrings, seatpost, stem, brakes, etc., Several Jaws Dropped as Dave accepted the offer, which was $100 below the sticker price, and the customer proceeded to pack the bike into his tiny volkswagon. Nearly one half of the attendees were heard swearing silently under their breath ...
The ride began at about 10:30 and went up and down, here and there, and everywhere through the La Mesa area. The ride reporter was having so much fun that he wasn't paying much attention. The pace was quite leisurely. There was one flat tire early on in the ride, and at times it sprinkled and at other times there was sunshine. Stoplights were frequent and were sometimes disobeyed. Halfway through the rides complaints were lodged because Baylis had claimed that there was only "one hill" on this ride !! Patently false !! Finally the ride completed and just about everyone had a wonderful refreshment at Ye Olde Bicycle Place and Cafe. Those who stayed a little longer were treated to an experimental refreshment from Dave's Cafe research Laboratory, while oogling the 1900-1950's cruisers and Schwinn Triplet.
Many visitors spent time assessing the merchandise for sale in the back of the shop including a tasty Viscount with Death Fork, a Colnago C-40, Bridgestone 400, Raleigh Super Course (1972), Fuji America, Miyata, and many other classic bikes.
Fast Eddie made an appearance (this ride was apparently not fast enough for fast eddie who went to the Alpine ride) to visit with the riders in the parking lot
Everyone had left by 2pm.
- Don Gillies (unofficial ride reporter)
San Diego, CA