The day dawned a bit overcast but warm. The first riders began arriving at about 0930 only to find themselves enlisted in a table moving process....
We started on the circa 25 mile route at 1037. Cue sheets were provided but still some insisted on trying to make wrong turns right out of the starting gate! I decided I would have to try and lead from the front on what is basically a very simple route down Beach Drive thru Rock Creek National Park and back. Only a few (not too bad hills) and the group stayed together better that I had guessed; although the pace was a bit higher than I had guessed. About half the 15 riders were on fixed gear (the announced theme)
Riders and bikes ( in a fairly random order): ( I appologize if I have the year or model wrong...)
Ken Sanford - 1956 Carpenter path racer Harvey Sachs - 196? Roma Sport pista Peter Czapiewski - 1965 Cinelli pista Cindy Anderson - 198? Fuji Pro track Dan Artley - 1979 Jack Taylor 3-speed ASC (fixed) Bill Hale - 1970 Lygie strada (set up as fixed gear) Ben Sanford - 1973 Eisentraut track Paul Raley - 1976 Singer Sports Tourer Peter Kohler - 1962 Peugeot PX-10 John Barry - 197? Raleigh Super Course Marty Walsh - 1978 Volare road bike Kathleen Walsh - (an off topic bike) Meade Anderson - 197? Sekai road bike (Sturmey Archer 3-speed) Tom and Carrie Witkop - (off topic tandem)
Paul Raley also brought his 2004 Richard Sachs Signature and a 1949 Bates frameset. The Bates needs a lot of TLC and I am sure will be refurbished beautifully before we see it again. (dunno about those funny bent fork blades though). Harvey Sachs also brought his lovely 1938 Paramount. My brother Ben Sanford brought his recently acquired Rotrax frameset. We all said the appropriate nice things about each others bikes.... All bikes went home with their owners although I did make a try for Dan's Jack Taylor with its curved seat tube and 3-speed Sturmey Archer ASC by offering my 1970 Cinelli SC as a straight swap.
Food and beverages were consumed. A very nice time with a lot of very nice people, some of which drove a long way to attend. We'll do it again next year. And it is supposed to rain tomorrow!
Ken Sanford
Kensington, MD