Well I suppose that you can't call it a secret handshake, but nonetheless a must have for those that strive to one day be considered part of the Masi Mafia: a Masi bottle cork to hang from the saddle of your vintage Masi. If you have been out to one of Chuck Schmidt's events, or joined one of Matt Gorski's "Masi" rides, or simply mingled with those in the know, you will have noticed that many of the nicest vintage Masi bikes carry just such a cork.
Just like in the world of bike frames, even in the realm of wine bottle corks, everything is switching over to synthetic. It would seem that the Masi vineyard in the province of Verona has switched over from natural corks to the synthetic "supremecorq"s, so it will become ever more difficult for those of you in search of a natural cork to hang from your saddle, to find one. To overcome this, I have had a Veronese friend of mine contact the family that owns the vineyard and procure two corks that will be offered up as distinct lots during the charity auction to take place at le cirque. One cork was gently removed from a bottle of Campofiorin, whereas the other is a virgin cork and has never been inserted in a bottle, meaning that it is slightly fatter (and therefore the better to be seen).
These are just a couple of the items that I plan to give as a 100% donation to the auction in the hope of seeing a large sum raised for the selected charities. While I will not personally be present at the auction (it would simply not feel right without the presence of John Pergolizzi, my partner in crime from the first auction, and the driving force behind the auction from day one until last year), I would like to suggest to all that you need to prepare your item donations, and just as importantly your wallets to bid on the items. I am posting this note as with only two weeks left, there doesn't seem to be much activity on the cirque auction page: http://www.cirqueducyclisme.com/
Bid often, bid high! If you won't be making it out to le cirque yourself, I am sure that the organizers will make it easy to put in a telephone or email bid. They will also be more than happy to accept donations of the more eclectic and interesting items that can be sold.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA