Village Cycles was one of the fabled old line bike shops going back probably
into the '40's. It was the headquarters of the North Hollywood wheelmen one
of the leading bicyle clubs in California and the US.
It was started by Jack Kemp and later taken over by his son, Bob.
The picture is of Bob on the seat tube decal.
Jack Kemp along with George Garner of The San Fernando Valley and owner of
several Schwinn shops, Bob Hansing former racer and owner of Montrose Bike
and Euro-Asia Imports, and Harry Morton, 30's Olympic Team, 6-day racer, and
also bike shop owner, signed the papers to guarantee the cost when the
Encino Velodrome was built back in '58/9 just before I came to California
from Chicago.
My dad raced against Charlie Morton back in the '30's and I raced against
Bobby Kemp going back to the '50's and also against Harry Morton, Charlie's
son back into the '60's.
I have fotos of these guys and myself racing.
Hansing and Garner had already retired from racing by that time.
Bobby took over the shop from his dad Jack, and some 10 years ago retired
and moved to Idaho if I recall.
Jack Kemp, Charlie Morton, Bob Hansing are now at the Velodrome in the Sky.
George Garner is still living in his late '80's or early 90's now.
Just saw him last Fall in Chicago where he now lives.
We all go back a long time and the years we spent at Encino racing and
helping bring along new young riders were great years indeed and part of the
lore and history of cycling in California and the USA.
I should really bid the living daylites out of that frame but I'm gonna
leave it to you younger guys who have more years to safeguard it.
If a CR listermember gets the frameset I would be happy to supply fotos to
give some additional provenance once the bicycle is completed and shown in
it's original glory.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA
CRs:
On USA eBay, I saw this nice 1959 Allegro Swiss track frameset, 55 cm c-top with a blue chromovelato finish and some documented history.
I have no relation to the seller.
Andrew Gillis
Long Beach, CA