I ride all of mine except for one, a 1974 Raleigh International. And it's not because it's a paragon of workmanship. The brazing on many Raleighs is atrocious, especially my 1971 International local rider. It's because it's never been ridden. The gentleman I bought it from said it hadn't and, judging from its condition, I have no reason to doubt his word. I can't bring myself to put the first chain mark on the chainrings nor brake marks on the rims. I want to sell it because it just hangs on the wall but my 7-year old daughter begs me not to. "Daddy, don't sell the orange bike. It's your prettiest one." She also has no clue as to why I won't ride it. It make no sense to the uncluttered mind of a 7-year old. It's a 22-1/2" and she's a tall girl with long legs. Maybe one day she can take it for its first ride.
George Allen Lexington, Ky
At 02:30 PM 6/15/2005, Mazzeo, Daniel wrote:
>Ah, same stuff goes on in the car clubs, photo clubs, sailing
>clubs........part of the human condition right now, amended by a little
>tolerance for all by all.
>Dan Mazzeo
>Raytheon Polar Services Company
>Acting Director FEMC
>7400 So. Tucson Way
>Centennial, CO 80112
>720 568-2063o
>303 249-6425c
>daniel.mazzeo@usap.gov
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
>[mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Tom Dalton
>Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 11:35 AM
>To: kohl57@starpower.net
>Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]snobbery
>
>What is it about riding vintage bikes that makes people put their head
>up their butt? Did I miss something in the CR rules that strongly
>encourages the on-road use of vintage bikes and discourages
>preservation? Clearly there are some extreme positions on this issue,
>and most of us fall somewhere in well within these extremes. I know
>this because the "to-ride-or-not-to-ride" issue has been revisited time
>and again on CR and a range of OPINIONS, some thoughtful, others not,
>have been voiced. Me, I lean in the direction of preservation, and
>while I'm no Litespeed owner, I know that certain modern equipment
>provides me with a more enjoyable riding experience.
>
>What I find interesting is that I never see sanctimonious posts from
>listmembers about one preserved bike being worth twenty that are "lost"
>to use.
>
>As to who actually rides and who doesn't, that is a seperate issue from
>who choses to ride their vintage bikes, though like the former issue it
>is one on which CR members undoubtedly exhibit a range of attitudes.
>Neither using nor preserving and neither riding nor loafing disqualifies
>one from CR membership.
>
>Tom Dalton
>Bethlehem, PA who should really ride more, but who has no plans to use
>up $150/pc NOS silks, $80/pr Bindas, nor $100/pr globe hoods.
>
>
>"One Super Sport on the road is worth 20 Masis hanging on some wall.
>Anyone who
>reduces a classic lightweight to an "investment" to be dipped in aspic
>and shoved in a safety deposit box should be forced to cycle behind 48
>roller bladers for 5 hours. Assuming they even ride a bike, that is!"
>
>Tom Dalton
>Bethlehem, PA
>
>
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