The elements finally succumbed to astronomical realities and provided a f abulous spring day here in New Hampshire - 14C/58F, sunny, not too much o f a March wind. Add in the first of the season's local farmers' markets, and I was just plain compelled to get out my Peugeot UO-8. Original brigh t white, black lug accents, black & gold decals in near perfect condition . Lapize tri-couleur frame pump. Even the Pletscher rack shines.
So, there I am at the farmer's market and I run into a guy who does some of the same local & charity rides I do. A little "out of context" double- take (I know that guy, but from where? people just look so different in f lannel shirts & ball caps); then he says, "oh, hey - is that your bike ou t there?"
"Yep, " I nearly beamed. "'74 Peugeot"
"Yeah. I saw that old beater and thought it might be yours ..." he said, with no concept of what he'd just done.
Harrumph... philistine rides a high end carbon Trek and thinks anything o lder than "last season" (as in model year ...) must be out of fashion.
Sheesh. Talk about 'pearls before swine.' Beater, eh.
Bob Hillery, Stratham, New Hampshire, USA
Steel baby, steel.