Howdy campers,
Sunday dawned with the threat of rain by noon, so I hurriedly got on the computer and phone to warn those driving long distance that they may want to re-consider their long drives if it was going to rain. After all that, I was surprised to get a phone call from Dave Ross informing me that "We're here". Holy smokes! After meeting with him and Nancy I directed them to the parking lot, got my bike and rolled down to join them. I figured at least us three would take our chances with the weather and ride. When I got to the meeting place I was astonished to see 10 folks and their bikes waiting for me! I will NEVER again underestimate the dedication of this vintage crowd.
Here's who showed:
Paul Williams on his pretty Ed Litton Dave Ross on a Super Elliott - beautiful hand painted graphics Nancy (soon to be) Ross on her very clean Austro Daimler Allen Bloom stealthy black fixed gear Paramount Jacque Daniel on his really neat old Stella folder Sally Daniel Photographer - this time Tom Rawson riding a very nice Hetchins Rod Davidson mystery frame with interesting paint detail me myself and I on my Olmo Competition
We had some local representation thanks to Jacque, Sally, and Allen. Another local fellow showed (darned if I can remember his name) on a fixed gear conversion frame with very nice ornate lugwork. Can't remember the name because the headbadge was painted over. He didn't do the ride. Another treat was the appearance of John Pratt and Stan Dann, with their Hobbs of Barbicon bicycles that they purchased at the same time when they were 19 years old. They have been friends since childhood and are now in their 60's I would guess. Great story and neat bikes. Dave Ross gets a pat on the back for these two showing up. I didn't even know about it. They couldn't do the ride. Maybe next time, eh fellas?!
To make a long story longer, we had a great ride out to the airport, where we got a group photo with the Pacific Coast Air Museum as a backdrop, rode back, had lunch, b.s.'d a bit, then disbanded. Jim Jenkins made a cameo appearance on his Cinelli SC at the end of the ride. Dave and Nancy had to blast off first, as I think they had the furthest to drive. Although it appears that Dave had other things to do, like test ride a fixed gear Cinelli.
So...the ride went off, in spite of my neophyte organizational skills and nervous nelly attempts to cancel. Bob Freitas was reasonably sure it wouldn't rain, and even though we got sprinkled on a couple of times, he was right. To Bob and others who took my lousy advice, sorry and hope to see you at the next ride. And thank you Sally for the photos. Dave took photos also, so look for his photos and report.
I had fun and I think everyone else did too. The countryside and scenery were beautiful. See for yourself here in the folder marked SCVBC ride:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
Jay Sexton
Sebastopol, CA