I have been holding back to see what others had to say and in the hope that I could fill any holes . It was a smaller crowd than usual and the friends who for various reasons could not make it were really just about the only thing missing. Wayne and MJ had done a good job (Even if Wayne did lose my bag of Ball Cock Shank Washers! Hopefully they will turn up by the next auction for give aways). The food was great, more informal and better quality than ever. The bikes were a wonderful selection. At least a half dozen brands I had never seen before and the best grouping of Hurlow, Singer, and Rauler bikes I have ever seen. Some of the bikes were so pretty it was just hard to believe.a pair of blue Paramounts especially grabbed me. Joe Bell had just worked magic on them!
Thursday afternoon's soiree at Wayne's shop was an eye popper.Even got to see Peter Gilbert's waterproof Confente! What fun to play in Wayne's warehouse. I was like a kid in a candy store! Even Dale was wowed.and goodness knows you don't get much more sophisticated about bike stuff than he is. My great buddy Karen Rawls proved once again, to be the consummate guide for the area, making sure I got to Carolina Brothers for my Bar-B-Que fix, and found my way to Wayne's shop. I would be literally lost without her!
The weather cooperated right up until Sunday afternoon and most folks seemed really happy. I know that many of these folks I only get to see once a year or so and it was just wonderful seeing them. I think the auction was a bit thin, but some of the heavy rollers were not in attendance and the offerings were a bit off last year's great level.
I think I just have to say this is about the friendliest and kindest (and even well behaved) group of folks I have had the pleasure to hang out with. I am looking forward to next year and with the rising of more regional bike functions such as Brian Baylis's frame builders expo I hope to get around more (again, health permitting) and see more of these great folks. We gotta do something for Dan Artley, though, these Cirque rides are rough on the old fellow :^).
Tom Sanders
Lansing, MI USA