In the Tenderloin of San Francisco-not a cut of beef but a rather unsavory area-there was an auto repair shop with a crudely painted mural of a Ferrari GTO but the shop was closed every time I walked by-no, not for unsavory activities but to get to the recording studio on the next block. Well, one day it was open and what is inside but Alfas and the like and one old car being worked on as well as the owner of the shop, an old Italian gentleman. And the old car was an OM, an very rare Italian marque eaten by Fiat in the late 20s but winner of the Mille Miglia before. So naturally I go in and strike up a conversation. Bike content coming up. And in the office are a De Rosa and 2 Cinellis. So the old car/old bike thing is real. And has been noted Rodder's Journal has a big piece on Tom Sparks. When I lived in North Hollywood I'd visit Tom regularly. From the outside his home looks like a regular house but where the back yard should be is all garage, full of 20s and 30s American cars and bicycles. He has a beautiful Pierce with a leaf spring fork, rear suspension like a Vincent motorcycle with a spring case at the seat cluster and, if I remember right, shaft drive. All in black paint and nickel plate. Tom has a scrap book with stories of his bike racing days and has kept his California championship jerseys. The Rodder's Journal piece is well worth reading. Phil Brown Going to be a nice day and I'd ride if it wasn't for my damaged knee in Oakland, CA