[CR]Dan Artley's Classic Ride

(Example: Racing:Jacques Boyer)

Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:56:38 -0400
From: "Harvey M Sachs" <sachshm@cox.net>
To: Michael Schmidt <mdschmidt@patmedia.net>, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <C1618927.CB7%mdschmidt@patmedia.net>
In-Reply-To:
Subject: [CR]Dan Artley's Classic Ride

It was a pretty cold day (by Fall standards), threatening rain. So, 5 stalwarts showed up at Oregon Ridge Park, in the Hunt Valley area North of Baltimore this morning. Ken Sanford and I drove up from the DC area, joining the Baltimore crew of Bill Spengler and Dan Artley, and Jim ____, riding off-topic but very strongly on a fixed gear.

Bill brought a fairly early Masi, in nice shape, but rode something else (CRS, darnit) with a proper TA 1/2-step + Granny, which was as near to a "uniform" as we found. Ditto on Dan's 1978 or 79 Richard Sachs, just built back up after Dan tried to destroy it in an accident (so both are now recovered), and ditto for yr. humble scribe's 73 Hetchins. Sanford rode a Weigle with (ahem) off-topic components. We did 25 mi. or so. As we rode (up, then down, then repeat. The series does not converge, you just keep doing it). But the countryside was just beautiful in full fall finery. As we rode the sky brightened a bit, presumably to let the wind start blowing right smartly. Afterwards, the usual beverage and brats sampling, a really nice treat by Dan and Barb.

Dan's acquired some new machinery, of which the stunner is a $xxx Masi that's in as nice shape as the Cinelli for which I paid much, much more in a charity auction. It wasn't the lights that made me look green. Great bike, great patina. And a nice early 60s Viking.

A fine time was had by all, no flats or mechanicals, and the aged engines carried their loads all the way to the end of the route. Just remember, (a) the wind always wins, and (b) what coasts down must climb back up. For much longer.

harvey sachs
mcLean va USA.