Sergio wrote a neat little story in Italian earlier today. I am translating it because he asked me to do so and because I think it is important to understand how things continue to be quite different in Italy to what they are like here in North America.
This afternoon, after missing the rendez-vous, in Lucca, with a listmember (who didn't show up), I went on and later visited Mr.Del Cancia, in Pontedera.
"Cesare Del Cancia, "Mister" San-Remo 1937, is too old.
Alive with his memories, his paranoias and his fixations. Among thousands of spare parts, bicycles and mopeds that he moved from his shop to the ground floor of his home many years ago. He contnues to tell the same stories. To the question as to whether he would like to tell anything about the time when he used to race, he answered: "I never have time, at the age of 92, I lack time. Just yesterday, one of my friends from Pescia, with whom I raced passed away."
He is constantly busy taking apart and restoring old bikes, things that he does as a true master. However, he also gets hung up on small, absurd and absolutely maniacal little jobs.
I left him an FB bottom bracket to overhaul. He told me that he would regrind it, something for which he has all the necessary equipment and knowledge."
When was the last time that you heard of a mechanic regrinding a BB? Did most of you even imagine that it could be done?
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
I didn't dare ask whether I could take any photos.