[CR]re: cirque judging, feelings & a humorous tale

Having attended my first Cirque about six years ago I know the feeling of not winning a BEST award. To me my Rauler was a sure winner; Best Italian was in the bag. No one had ever seen this Italian bike with fancy lugs. Fancy chrome lugs just isn’t Italian. To watch folks walk right by my bike to another Italian marquee that literally thousands upon thousands were made just didn’t make sense when this one was so special and different, beyond the norm. Well I got over that crap in a hurry; things just don’t bother me for long. On the way home was when I realized that like so many other interests in life the bikes are only what brings us together. Over the years and many Cirques later I have developed an appreciation for what Peter Weigle called a grandfather’s bike. The fenders and lights held no interest for me until about my third Cirque. Chris Byers’s bike was the first one of its kind to catch my eye. Chris was kind enough to do the driving around Greensboro for several of us and in the car I questioned him at length and back at the Battleground about those kinds of bikes. At the present time I don’t own a bike like that, but maybe someday in the future.

Reading all the post about feelings that might be hurt and taking things way too hard, criticisms and all I thought about Richard and Peter driving back to Connecticut. For years Peter has come away with some kind of an award for a bike he brought to the Cirque and Richard hasn’t that I recall. Richard has won awards at other shows that I know. Anyway I thought about what kind of scenario would play out if Richard and Peter had those kinds of personalities that would be hurt or take offense to not winning an award when they thought they should have. Well here goes:

Upon loading up the Ford F-350 van with some of the most desirable bikes in the world our two heroes head up the road for the long drive home. After many minutes of silence and on the outskirts of Greensboro Richard say, “ya know one of my bikes should of won the best of show, after all Bicycling magazine claimed that I was the best frame building in the world and it is about time that I won the Best of Show at the Cirque.” Peter responds, “It was clear that the judges picked their favorite and it was my bike. And it doesn’t matter that I win year after year, no matter who does the judging they like my bikes.” Richard, “They just don’t have a thing for race bikes; they are old and like bikes like their grandfather rode.” Peter, “I am not a grandfather and it will be years before I am one!” “That isn’t to say you don’t have a mindset like a grandfather,” Richard blasts back. “So you think I think like the old folks do?” Peter asks. “When did we start building frames? It wasn’t yesterday and we are getting long in the tooth Gamps!” Richard replies. “Yo mama!” Peter says. “Ya better keep my mama out this boy!” Richard snaps. “Boy? We aren’t southerners’ man. Don’t be using that boy crap with me.” Peter argues. Following this exchange there is a long period of silence. And then with ample time to reflect on their exchange Richard shoots at Peter, “The reason that you won is that the judges just have been in touch with their feminine side a little too often and they go for the pastels that you paint your bikes.” “Oh my listen to this now.” Peter says, “If your bikes didn’t resemble some cheap harlot with Red lipstick and Red rouge they might be attracted to your work.” “Who are you calling my work cheap like a harlot. Ferraris are red, fire engines are red, Cinelli’s choice color was red so don’t go and give me any of the cheap shzxyisz! And besides, I did have some of my frames painted other colors and some of them were a light blue. Make note I didn’t say a pastel blue!” Richards say. Another long silence and by this time we are across the Mason Dixon line and their Yankee blood is starting to boil. Richard says, “You know if you knew anything about bikes and lights you would have reflectors on ‘em just like some cheap Wal-mart bike! And if ya wanted to ride a bike that long into the dark ya outta start now!” Richard yells as he slams on the brakes and ads. “Get your bike out and take a pedal stroke or two pal!”

Fortunately our two heroes are the best of pals and small trivial things such as awards at shows don’t bother them at all and certainly hasn’t gotten in the way of the friendship. When one looks at the time and labor of love that these two craftsmen put into their work you would think that an award would mean more to them than folks like us who just shell out some bucks and some time polishing parts to make them look pretty for the show. I know that I am very glad not ever to have been asked to judge, not that I have the expertise to judge, all the bikes as far as I am concerned are winners. With that being said I do want to ad that I was so glad to hear the Ken’s Carpenter won it’s category. When I was a young kid racing in the Washington area Bobby Phillips had what I thought was the prettiest bike in the world. It was an all chrome Carpenter with the same lugs that Ken has on his bike. About seven years ago I decided I would start searching from my dream bike with fancy lugs like that in mind. I always rode Italian bikes and knew that they had either long point or short point lugs and some had cutouts. Nothing fancy, just straight up race bikes. Then low and behold within two months of my search I found the Rauler. Doesn’t matter that is has never won an award. This year Karen Rauls made my day when I came in to the Battleground lobby in my cycling duds and asked, “Where your Rauler?” “Outside” I answered. She proceeded to go out and bring it in and she sat at the table holding the bike and looking at it for a very long period of time. She got pleasure out of just looking at my bike and that was enough of a reward for me. I do hope that all on the list not only enjoy riding there prize bikes, but enjoy the pleasure other list members receive in viewing the prize bikes.

Mark Poore Slatyfork, WV

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