Today I experienced something many of us on this list likely have. I brought out my 1975 Romic for a fun ride down to visit Gretchen & Chuck at Pacific Coast Cycles in Oceanside, and got reacquainted with it on the way south. Partly due to aging memory fade, and partly due to the number of bikes out in the garage, it's a GREAT experience to re'discover a dusty jewel (ok.. I did kind of polish the Flam red Imron before I left !) This red Romic, built by Ray Gasiorowski from Houston Texas, came to me from a warehouse in New Orleans (pre Katrina). I rode the bike a few times, remembering how I liked the longer wheelbase and ride. It has 27 1/8 Pasellas and early Shimano 600 components. Ray liked the value of the newly emerging Shimano components back in the 70's, and from the beginning he believed their performance was second to none. The other day I mounted my Lone Peak handlebar bag, thinking the relaxed rake fork would handle the bag well. RIGHT for sure. Even with a full load in it, the bike tracked fantastically.
After 20 miles or so, checking out fabulous ocean views to the right, I start to let the mind wander to ALL the little 'upgrades' the bike could use. You know, looking down you get to wondering:
- About 1cm longer stem ? - Slightly wider set of bars ? - Maybe a more traditional bottle cage (what is UP with that style that came with the Romic ? - <see pics below> - Could a smaller chainring work out out, to allow some climbing ? - Brakes... hmmmm
There's always something to work on, right ??
Jackie met me at Chucks, and the Romic rode up on top the Jetta for the 40 mile return trip. Along the way, I kept looking up through the sunroof, thinking "now that Romic is ONE nice looking bike" !!
Pics of the ride today:
http://tinyurl.com/
Rich Pinder
[for today in] Dana Point, CA