Peter- Yes, that would be me who sniped you (and Guyana2) at the auction's close. I do feel your pain, as I recently discovered a couple of very noteworthy bikes that I've been seriously jonesing for have slipped through my fingers.That heartbreak will take awhile to resolve. I have asked Norris for assistance in getting Stella on her way, but haven't heard from him, so I'm on my own with a seller who speaks no English ( I now have to depend on Babelfish).
Jay "Stanley" Van De Velde Seal Beach,CA
"P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net> wrote: Have we all done this... I mean obsess to a minor degree over an eBay bike. I mean one that you know, by right, should be yours. One that no one bids on. And you think you be the only one to do so at the last minute. You might even check out other eBay auctions for the missing or a additional bits. Look up the bike. The maker. The riders. Live the "ethos" as the auction counts down.
Well I'll admit it. And I just did with the now slightly famous Norris Lockley Louison Bobet 1954 TdF Stella replica. I mean this was destined, by all that's right and holy, to be MY bike. My size (how often does one find a 60 cm 1954 racing bike), perfect, original condition and even the original paperwork. And Norris even offering to assist in shipping.
All perfect. Stars in alignment. And not even a pipe dream with a starting bid of EUR1500.
But alas.. no. I bid. And bid again. And MY bike instead winds up with an outfit (or a person?) called racingbikes.com for EUR2000 Who was I kidding... EUR2000 for an old racing bike?
Well I hope she enjoys her new owner. And it's a good thing I didn't order that cool replica wool French national jersey to go with it.
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA