Velo Rendezvous 2004 part 2

Okay, I'll try and get the rest of the really good pictures in this one.

To respond to Jim's comment on the last post, I know there are a few younger folks out there with a love for these old bikes, but I sure don't see many at the shows or rides. That's the reason I have been trying to get my son interested. I want to leave my bikes to him someday, and I hope he won't just turn around and sell them. I would love it if he could show his grandson my old Cuevas and tell him that his great grandfather rode it across the US way back in 1977. I plan on displaying two or three bikes at the new house the way you would display art, with recessed lighting and nice wooden holders. I think this might give him more appreciation of these old machines as works of art. We'll see.

So, back to the show.

Sal Buongiorno (god I hope I'm spelling his name right) brought a very interesting collection of track bikes. He had an original Wastyn and a Pogliaghi track tandem from the 60's. I took a lot of pictures of his stuff, it really appealed to me. I don't have all the details on his machines, so just enjoy the pictures.

Here is a very pretty Cinelli that I believe belongs to Dave Martinez in northern California. I think this bike took one of the top prizes. Cinelli has always been one of my favorites. Had a very cool old frame from the early 60's that I set up with a single speed freewheel. Rode it quite a lot until a lady made a left turn into me  one morning. Bike was totalled.

A builder that I am not familiar with is Richard Moon. This bike was at the show looking very clean and well cared for.         

                                                                                                      

Next is a bike I mentioned in the first post. I hace never seen a Thanet before. I know very little about them. Take a close look at that crazy bottom bracket.

 

I also mentioned this Moorson. It has a twin down tube and a strange little gusset down by the bottom bracket. I'd love to own one of these just to see what the ride feels like.

                                                                                                                                                                         

Matt Gorski was there with his flock of Masi's. I tried to get artsy, having one bike frame the others. I don't know if this Confente was his also, although it wouldn't surprise me, he owns about a gazillion cool bikes.

I also mentioned the Art Stump. Art is still alive, though quite old, I think he is in his 90's. One of the CR list members arranged a meeting at Art's house recently. Check the CR archives for the story on that visit.  About a week ago, CyclArt had a set of black anodized Campagnolo components that had been custom drilled by Art for auction on E-Bay. It went for a few pennies, as I recall. I guess drilling was one of Art's specialities.

This will be the last one. I can't for the life of me remember the name of this bike. It's right on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember. It did win one of the awards, I'm pretty sure.

Okay, since you begged, just one more. I mean, how often do you get to see a beautiful, old Alex Singer mixte like this. Again, I believe this was an award winner, and deservedly so. What a great old bike!
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Well, I hope that satisfies your craving for bike porn for today. Do I have more pictures? You betcha. But I think this will be it for this event. I checked my memory usage, and it's getting up there. I tried to show the most unusual bikes and those that really caught my attention. Someone else would probably come up with a whole different set of pictures.

Once again, this was a great event, worth attending. I wish I had the time and money to get to the Cirque that is coming up very shortly. The pictures from that show always look fantastic. It draws the east coast crowd and some very different bikes. As bike enthusiasts we are all very lucky to have guys like Chuck Schmidt and Dale Brown putting on events like this.

Comments

[fixedgear]

Excellent pictures, thanks. BTW, "Buongiorno" = "Good Morning" in Italian. I'd love to take a spin on that Pogliaghi track tandem.

[Jim]

These are really amazing. While I really enjoy my two primary bikes, they are beaters compared to some of these gems.

[Scott]

Breath-takers all!

Greg, one question... what did the air smell like with so many beautiful steel steeds in such a small area?? Surely it must have smelled like, ...Victory.

Seriously, I can't imagine how cool it is to go to one of these events. So many styles, years of work, memories, etc... all gathered together in one open park. Just wondeerful!

Thanks for sharing.

-Me

[Greg]

Scott,
I really wish I could get to the Cirque, in North Carolina (which is happening this weekend, I believe). I think more of the rare non-Italian bikes reside on the east coast. While I like the Colnagos, Masis, Olmos, Pogliaghis, etc., I have seen many of these bikes. The bikes that really get me excited are ones like the Flying Gate, Moorson, Thanet, which are very unusual to see here on the west coast.

Oh, and by the way, I remembered this morning the name of that bike with the unusual lugs in this post. It is called a Caminargent, I believe.