To those as old or even older than I, does anyone remember San Gabriel Bike Shop, which was near Las Tunas and San Gabriel Blvds in San Gabriel, 15 miles east of L.A.? My mental image of the shop and particularly it's owner (a former big time road (and track?) racer are fading, and I want to hang on to the memory a little longer.
I somehow remember the gentleman as being 'Don Williams,' but not surely. He was huge and much grown-out from any racing days. He was very nice and amiable, and sold my friend and me several nice Swiss bikes and accouterment during the mid--sixties. He was tolerant of us more than I think he was of other teenagers: actually, I was twelve when we started making the shop part of our weekly after school rides.
Insert: This has stirred my recall of neat rides, solo or with pals, from Arcadia to Philipe's for an 'Original French Dip.'. If you know, then you know what I'm talking about!
If there are any among us who wrenched - or hung out - at John's Bike Shop, further uphill on Rosemead, I'll bet you at least knew about the tiny and wonderfully overstuffed steel and aluminum and silk and rubber paradise on SG Blvd.
Anyone? Thanks to all for everything you do and say to make CR such a neat and informative place to hang out.
J.B. Froke
Pebble Beach, CA