I second everything Dan, Tom, and the rest of said,, it was a great weekend. A new location, many new faces, some friends missing, but all in all it seemed like a seamless transition. I've been on that post Cirque high for the past couple of days...like I fell in love all over again!
Highlights for me,
Watching MJ and Wayne smile and make it all look so easy as they worked their tails off,(I saw another guy do this before,,, now where was that?)
Watching Dale have a little more time to relax and be part of the crowd, geesh, MJ and Wayne even gave him a little time off on Sunday so he could schlep some of his stuff at the swap meet!
Johnny P. working the crowd at the auction with all of his great help, Jamie, Mathew, Harvey, Mike S. and Charlie young's daughter, who was charming and showed great poise in front of the raucous crowd.
Watching Gabriel and Rita smile as they took in the auction money, hell they smiled all weekend.
That little white bag at the auction!!! and Johnny P. asking forgiveness and making up the next day!
That other little white "bag" taken from the ladies room and draped on the shift lever of Mark Hoffman's Le Chemineau,,, somebody obviously doesn't like funky French bikes, careful or we'll sick Jan on you.
The smile on Charlie Pelligrino's face as he proudly rode around on his handsome new Jamie Swan.
Charlie Pelligrino bowing and kissing Don Pergo's ring at dinner,,, hey fellas, what was that all about??
Seeing pal Mike Self's matching '86 Weigles again ,with the original Baylis paint jobs that Brian can't remember he did,,, Brian, you might need a better respirator? BTW, Mike would like to sell these as a pair,, road and track. (see Dale's site under jp weigle)
Seeing Harvey Sachs and Mark Poore ride strong,,,, love you guys.
Watching all the happy faces after midnight laps of the parking lot on the '50s funky French Motobecane city bike. Hey Larry, I fixed the front brake squeal! But now I have to go buy a horn!
Watching Elton Pope Lance on his Weigle and Mike Kone on his Herse doing the headlight shoot out in the parking lot. Maybe we need a night ride next year?
Seeing the mud covered Sachs road bike in the show, next to the squeaky clean cross bike??? I thought Richard should have had Ken Toda photograph the mud covered road bike.
Watching Ken Toda do his magic in the billowing white room, Ken you are the best!!!
As Dan said, the ever changing wall of bikes in the hotel hall, that was so cool! The Hurlow's, Masi's Cinelli's, Herse's, Jack T's, Velo O's, Ed's Lyon,(leaving off the s so it sounded French) Wayne's Denucci,Colnago's, Paramounts, all the Philly gangs stuff, KOF's from some of the new builder's, wow!
Riding with Eddie, Jamie and Johnny C. and the rest of you...Eddie, you're the man!
Talking to Steven M. and Pergo in the parking lot late at night, telling secrets and exaggerating the truth!
Jonathan Greene playing Maitre' De at the banquet, I'm sitting at your table next year,,,, what service!!!!!
Richard's annual napkin trick at the banquet,, ya gotta see him do this,,, ----------------------------- Best comment from a man, "If we paint it blue, she won't know I got another one". :~)
Best comment from a woman, "Compared to some of you, I think he has his collecting under control"! (should we tell her guys)??? (and should we tell her about that buying spree overseas)???????
Regrets,,,
My sweetie Kendall wasn't able to be at my side. She had to be responsible and attend to some work details at the last min... She missed all of you,(especially Dale??? she loves that guy)!
Chuck not being there to receive his well deserved award. Also, not being able to ride with Chuck, no one is smoother on a bike. Karen and I talked about that.
That the whole event didn't last longer than it did. ------------------------------ I know I missed a lot, and probably forgot to mention a lot of things, but this was one good Cirque! MJ Wayne, Dale and all, you definitely delivered the goods,,, congratulations!
peter weigle
Lyme, Ct.