Your Royal OmniPotato Despot and other esteemed Honoraries, Mssrs., Bounders, Cads & assorted lowlifes that I knew as Familia,
It is with moribund sadness but with a touch of New York style insouciance that I have to announce that I will not be able to attend the above mentioned BVVW meeting at Lebron's joint. In honour of the host I will watch a Passolini film whilst wearing Detto Pietro's and Holdsworth team colours at the exact same time as the meeting. And to pay respect to the Village Voice I may even don a Campionissimo "gay pride stripes" jersey too.
Notwithstanding and even though it is perhaps only a regular BVVW event I would like to forward a motion to the evening's activitists that the forthcomming launch venue of the much awaited BVVW wool jersey's should be at Billy's Topless on 6th Avenue. Something tells me it don't exist no more, so perhaps the venue where the External BVVW Russian Language Classes are held at will be a suitable establishment and befitting of the grand occasion (The same venue is more commonly known as Scores when certain BVVW members are not within earshot of their rightly suspecting wives). Knowing that most of the BVVW crew have sold out in the interest of domestic harmony I could easily arrange a similar but less bared flesh establishment in the fine Speak Easy on Ave C (open till whenever Vito and certain NYPD decide to stay open till). Just tell the goon behind the locked steel gate that Benny sent 'ya ;) It's like Le Cirque meets The Godfather meets Mean Streets ... actually, the only similarity to Le Cirque is the fashions, but now that look is "in" again, even sandals with socks for the truly haute couture inspired frame builders.
I understand the numbers are yet too small for the BVVW group to afford
me a round trip air fare to NYC so that I can add some diversionary
activities and perhaps the odd substance to the BVVW meetings .... but
knowing some of the regular names of attendees Im sure that there will
be mindsets with similar intent in situ. I won't even question how some
of the founding members seem to be in SoCal for much of the winter but
I gather from the sentiment that Brooklyn is in the heart and perhaps
thats why I still consider myself a member. With that in mind, and If I
may, I'd like to kick off the evenings noted subject of favorite
cycling related things. I've never had a Bianchi (never really wanted
one either except for them Original Fausto Coppy'ed Camisole Corsette
geared 50's joints so I can sell them to a Dentist instead of investing
in a 401k). Anyways, Bianchi Celeste .... pea soup or projectile vomit
.... ala Linda Blair in the film The Exorcist? BTW ... didn't she grow
fast!!!. Bianchi Celeste ..... I never quite got the hankering for them
funny coloured bikes. They nice, but at best Im a flash 80's kid who
fell under the spell of that man with the bad Toupe who makes frames
for the Pope (to never ride?? - sheesh ....any Rabbi worth his kosher
salt would have at least used it for bagel & lox runs). So Bianchi ....
and my wish kick off to the BVVW theme of My favorite Things: Im
riding a different "vehicle" but decided it was time and with suitable
context to rock that glorious colour Celeste -
http://homepage.mac.com/
* in a quick note of seriousness - a fond hello to all the BVVW devotees, and a word of encouragement to any shelf sitters who are close by but haven't as yet dropped in to meet the the family of bike addicts who for a cuppla hours feel not like freaks but a special band of brothers holding all that is true and beautiful in their hearts and minds irrespective of how differing a walk of life they may otherwise be from. Indeed, my first meeting I recall thinking how you couldn't fit a more motley and varied group of people together (and they thought I was the weird one!!!!). Like some Fellini film it was. That, and how in a minute my bicycle obsession seemed otherwise normal and restrained compared to some of the BVVW crew (It's a sickness I tell ya !!!!!). Sure, and then I forgot all that and seemed to slip into a world where I really felt at home with those around me and feeling I'd known them for years. Friends and joviality and bikes and laughs. Much to admire, too good to pass up. To the regulars I can only say that it's when reading of invites to upcoming meetings, only then do I feel so far away and need I remind you of what a special thing you guys have. If'n 'ya don't attend then your a bum. Even the memory of meeting some of you briefly, brings a smile to my face and leaves my thoughts in a very good place. Sure I live in a paradise far away now and am as happy as I ever think I have been, but the 2 things I most miss from my former city is the BVVW meetings and them big $0.99c bags of Utz potato chips available at all hours of the morning (when you need them).
Jeez' I miss a lot of that old town. If only I could be in two places at once, failing that can we hold the next BVVW meeting in Sydney ??? Youse better have fun, and how about some pics or a report or sumtin'?
Ciao Ragazzi,
Ben "Il Duce" Kamenjas Founder of the BVVW Australian Chapter Sydney, Australia
p.s. I still have 2 Champagne corks from past meetings and in a little while they'll be underneath saddles on bikes worthy enough to herald the BVVW spirit
P.p.s Imagine me and matteo at the same BVVW meeting. kids be rocking House music all night long ;)
P.P.P.s. What am I gonna need a wool jersey for down here??? Lately my only need for attire has been sun block and condoms !!!!
On 15/03/2006, at 4:35 AM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org wrote:
>
> ATTENTION ALL LIST MEMBERS,
>
>
>
> Youse is all invited to the next monthly meeting of the
> Brooklyn Velodrome Vintage Wheelmen, the BVVW, on Thursday March 16,
> 2006, The BVVW is a tangent of Gruppo Sportivo Pergolizzi.
> Sorry for the short notice but the next meeting
> may be on even shorter notice!
> This will be an informal gathering of all N.Y. metro
> area cyclists who share an interest in vintage bicycles and
> cycling history. We talk the old talk (1930 to 1980). The BVVW , a
> group of about 25 certified freaks, will hangout and talk bikes for
> about 2 hours. Usually about 15 show up!
> Subject for the evening will be: "These are a few of my favorite
> things". So please bring a lug, a book, a bike, whatever that's your
> favorite cycling related thing and be prepared to tell us why. I'm
> more
> interested in the stories then the things, so lets have lots o fun!
> We will most likely go for something a little different and
> ORDER IN! There are plenty of good joints in the neighborhood; Italian,
> Mexican, Chinese. Hey it's NEW YORK Baby!
>
> So, weeze gonna meet at the home of :
>
> Michael Lebron
> 36 Cooper Sq.
> N.Y.,N.Y.
> 7th floor
> 1-212-475-2950
> at 6:00 p.m. for a 6:30 start.
>
> That's the old Village Voice Building; between 5th and 6th
> streets. Take
> the #6 train to "Astor Place" or the "R" to Broadway and 8th.
> Say's "Village Voice" in HUGE letters on the outside of the building.
> Free newspapers downstairs
> We're going to have a great time! Well, at least better then mediocre.
>
> Come and join us.
>
> Johnny Pergolizzi,
> BVVW
> Omnipotent Despot
> Brooklyn,N.Y.
> 1-917-770-2025