Hi,
My name is Dave Whalley and I live (for the moment) up here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. First let me say WOW!! I finally got around to going throough all the mail I get from this list. I just subscribed last week and am amazed at the numbers of collectors that are out there and talking on this list! I'll have to be more diligent and keep up!!
I'm new at collecting and just have a love for bikes that I think goes beyond any specific era. I'm almost off the time frame for this list myself (I was born in 1976) and have only seen a lot of the bicycles that are discussed here in collections or hanging as a trophy on a shop wall!!
I currently build my own bikes (VERY small builder) and am always on the lookout for the old classics. I am a genuine parts geek and love reading about the great riders and the stuff that they used. At some point I will start a collection (definitly a rideable collection though) because the history is just so cool.
Philosophic note (I really just have one): Enjoy the ride and bike parts are really cool....
Looking forward to some great discussions. I might even be able to make it to the next Cirque (I'm moving back to NC this fall). Now all we need there is a velodrome and we'd be all set!!
Dave Whalley
Minneapolis, MN