Re: [CR]fixed gear at L'Eroica?

(Example: Production Builders)

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2007 19:28:01 -0700
From: "Bob Freitas" <freitas1@pacbell.net>
To: hsachs@alumni.rice.edu
Subject: Re: [CR]fixed gear at L'Eroica?
References: <C2480F04.3B60%mdschmidt@patmedia.net> <46229AAD.4050605@verizon.net>
In-Reply-To: <46229AAD.4050605@verizon.net>
cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

Harvey Sachs wrote:
> Thanks, Michael. I do have "Plans B," and I will bring my own
> (relatively expendable) vintage bike to ride at L'Eroica. It's likely
> to be something that has relatively low market value, but is nice to
> ride: maybe Austro-Daimler Vent Noir (early DuraAce black gruppo), or
> maybe a Claude Butler frameset Billy sold me, set up with Sturmey
> 4-speed or ASC. Goal would be something whose frameset or entire could
> be sold if I found a "to die for" bargain there. I mean, like I could
> bring the '65 Sears Ted Williams, but I don't think that trying to
> explain "funk" would be fun :-) and it really isn't that much fun to
> ride.
>
> harvey sachs
> mcLean va.
>
> Michael Schmidt wrote:
>
>> Harvey,
>> Unless you are in incredible shape, don't bring the fixie. It is quite
>> hilly and most of the ride is climbing or descending. Last year,
>> there were
>> a lot of bikes for sale at the Saturday Swap. Some were very
>> reasonable like
>> the Masi Special (M58) for 800 euro.
>>
>> So you could try to pick up something there but no guarantee. It was a
>> pretty good swap as lots of cool stuff was available there that you
>> don't
>> see here all that often.
>>
>> Blufreccia can find you a bike to rent if you do not want to take one of
>> yours, but it won't be classic.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>
>
> I think you could do it on a fixed gear but there are some long climbs on dirt as well as some wild downhills. Guess it all depends on what you consider fun. The Swap portion seems to get larger each year . There were lots of frames and whole bikes available as well as lots of other interesting stuff this year .We stood around that Masi and talked each other out of buying it. In the wish I had bought a bunch of department were the WWII surplus desert goggles for 10E which were perfect vintage biking goggles.I kept walking back by there but never stopped to buy some...................what was I thinking of?. Last year 2 guys did the 75K on sidewalk type scooters so I think its pretty open as to what will work. You could take something like a UO8 or Cheepo Raleigh and just leave it behind after the event which might be an option if you dont want to drag a bike back from the event . Another one would be to have Mateo "your street dealer" Brandi find a bike for you locally. There was a very nice Legnano city bike chained near the Ponte Vecchio in Fiorenze maybe a good set of side cutters and you could do a James Coburn (in the Great Escape) imitation? We have 25+ CR members and family(and friends) coming from the US and I expect a Euro CR contingent (Rita van D you out there?) plus a few surprises. Going back to the fixed topic, there were a number of fixed, Cambio Corsa, Margarita and even coaster brake bikes these past 2 years and the real question is would they do it again?

BOB FREITAS who got rained out of a ride yesterday but today was picture perfect in MILL VALLEY,CA USA

and YES there are rooms still available but just a little bit further out of town