The Copake swap this year was rather light on lightweights this year. The lower turnout of seller and buyers had a direct connection with the weather forecast. all week they were calling for rain or showers or rain showers for Friday. And for those who have never attended, it is located in a farm field, and the threat of rain, really makes it a muddy, soggy mess.
This year so far on the east coast swap meets as seen a lot of cool French bikes. At the Monson swap in Mass., there were 2 Rene Herse mens frames, a Herse mixte frame and an early 70s Alex Singer randonneur bike. Plus the Dilecta and Alex Singer that were on display for show.
The at Copake, Sam Fitzsimmons had his Singer and there was another 1970s Singer in the Auction. The Singer in the auction had some weirdness with the toptube and downtube, a little twisted, like maybe the headtube was misaligned from an accident and then aligned back, because both of the tubes at the irregularity around the same point, if a plume line was used. I wish I could have talked it over with Peter Weigle when he was there, but I didn't go in until after peter and Kendell left. I did discuss with Simon Firth of Bilenky about it, and we both came to the conclusion that it was not a simple case of overheating or anything like that.
All that said, the Singer had a absentee bid or phone bid for over $3000, which seemed a little high as his frame could still be ordered today, but for a custom fit for the buyer. and no, I am not bitter about not winning the Singer in the auction, just bitter about not even being able to be a bidder because it started at $2500 with an absentee bid.
We picked up a nice early Schwinn Superior track bike that was in the larger 23" size, rather than the "ubiquitous" 21" frame. Also picked up a Herne Hill which appears to a a late 1960s Holdsworth or something of the sort. Bunch of small bits and bobs, lapsing my mind on what now. My lovely wife joined me for the festivities, and she had a great time. Everyone was so nice, sounds like she is going to be a regular. CRers that I recognized or was introduced there was the following, in no particular order- Eddie Albert and his lovely wife, Mike Schmit, Ray Hominski, Sam Fitzsimmons and his wife Mary, Joe Bender-Zoni and his wife, David Coke, Peter weigle and Kendell. Please forgive me if I forgot someone, it was fun, and Curtis's BBQ station with tons of food and libations provided for a nice family affair.
So you all at T-town, or if you travel to Memory lane or Ann Arbor, I will see you sooner! Joel ralph flood Philadelphia, PA USA
On Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 10:27 PM, Michael Schmidt
<mdschmidt56@verizon.net> wrote:
> Despite the rain, we managed to make a swap meet out of it. See some of the
> photos here.
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
>
> Friday is the swap and Saturday is the bike auction. Most of the
> listmembers that attended Monson made Copake. While it was not a downpoour,
> the rain kept the crowd size down and some of the vendors called it a day
> before 10:30 AM. Now that the swap Spring Training is over, it is time to
> start the regular swap season at Trexlertown in early May.
>
>
> Mike Schmidt
> Stirling, NJ
> USA
>
>
>
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