Rita noticed the panicked look on my face when we arrived (after a 2 1/2 hour drive) at the velodrome (whatever it is called these days) and the entrance to the track was blocked off and we could see the empty infield (no familiar sea of cheap bike stuff vendors). Could this little group of commercial vendors near the entrance be it? Very large disappointment averted when we found the path to the new fenced off parking area designated for the normal vendor group. I was lugging a gas-pipe Frejus frame around that I had promised in trade for a pair of Dyna-Drive pedals that Sean had graciously offered in trade a few T-towns ago when I bought some funky crankset from him. I found him at Larry's space and consummated the deal, finally.
I must admit, this swap stumped me. I almost went home empty handed (lack of good, appealing junk). That would be VERY unusual for me, a major bottom feeder. But, I realized I was happy because the swap meet trek is now about the people for me, not the stuff ( I think I have enough of that by now, do I?). It is a good opportunity to get together. There was a great bounty of folk to mingle with. I ran into Isaac Schell and his friend (Monika?) that we met on Gabriel's ride. He had a very nice Holdsworth that he was selling (it was Rita's size). I had limited funds but that was a nice frame. Billy had a Geoffrey Butler frame that was even more close to my size than the one I own (and that Dan covets) but he had stripped most of the paint off of it (readying it for a re-paint prior to Cirque).
I did end up buying a few Off Topic things, highlighted by a very original early Stumpjumper from Larry Osborn's buddy. Thanks for the killer deal! I went home happy.
I didn't see all of the people mentioned previously and I miss a few regulars.
Looking forward to Cirque!
Paul and Rita Lee
Huntington, New York
United States of America