In a message dated 1/11/01 6:18:06 PM, heine@mindspring.com writes:
<< Rene HERSE Owners World
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Friends of the Herse bikes,
Haven't heard a lot on the list lately. However, to those who really exist:
How rare are camping bikes. I have seen very few that featured the full low-riders: One is owned by Bicycle Specialties in Toronto (1970s model). I have seen one 1940s camping bike minus racks, but that one would only have normal racks, the low-riders being later. A Japanese publication showed a tandem with full racks. Anybody else seen any?
My thought on this is: People who could afford Herse bikes weren't usually into camping, but would stay at inexpensive inns when touring. Those who had to camp to save money didn't ride Herse bikes.
Another reason I am asking: I am dreaming of a 1950s camping Herse, but wonder how much hope I have to find one.
Jan Heine, Seattle >>
Jan and friends,
I have had the rare pleasure to visit Ms. Herse and purchase a bike in 1983 following that years PBP. They had five bikes on display and all were like nothing I had ever seen before (and I had seen quite a few). One was racer that was lugless 753 that held little interest (I had 5 racers at the time). One was a gentleman style(flat bars , fenders, single chainwheel) , cool but I had very little interest. BUT THE OTHERS, WOW! I wanted the 3 remaining models; one of each. Even with a strong (8 francs to the $) dollar they were more than I could manage, but what about 3 in one. Madame Herse said no problem. So I had a Demontable(take apart), Camping (with HD low racks), and a Randonneuse (Mudguards, Dual generator and battery lighting, Lightweight, mudguards) all rolled into one in glorious full chromage!
I was worried about the take apart joint being whippy, but after attempts with broken french phases I was told it was (best Julia Child accent) "tres rigid" (very rigid)! I did not believe it but decided I didn't care, it was too cool. Build it then. My concern was unfounded as the bike was stiff enough to race with the correct wheels. I should have known. The bike had one flaw which was due to my school boy French. The front Lowrider rack was not built. A few months after delivery I visited Toronto for that clubs 600km brevet. My Herse Rando-Camping-DeMontable went with me. Mr. Mike Barry of Toronto (Bicycle Specialties today, Bicycle Sport Shop in 1983) arranged to have some beautiful racks built and chromed that adapted flawlessly in his Mariposa workshop. The work and finish was better than the originals in the rear by the way.
I know I'm rambling but on the rareness of camping bikes. The rareness might be because of the significant cost difference of the camping bike. While I was there a demontable with Huge Oversize Camping Racks (Rear platform was 6-8in wide as I remember) was brought out to show me this configuration. It was unpainted but I got the impression that take aparts and camping were common orders at the Herse shop. (the demontable was fairly unique in the marketplace for many decades). Also in the 1983 and 87 Paris Brest I saw a number of them (No demontables) but several camping models of various vintage. The most seen was the randonneus style models (or similar) which were common by other makers as well on the Event. The PBP I was told was a common showcase for Rene Herse and I seem to remember Madame L.Herse was the first female finisher once (to be verified) and that she was champion of France once. So the lightweight fender, and lamp equipped bikes with small minimal racks are the most popular I have seen (not many).
On the wealthy guys who bought them don't go camping idea, this may have merit but Herse bikes were not that much more expensive than top of the line racing bikes when I bought mine and France. France was full of fancy racing bikes then and now. The expense difference was in finish (chrome was a little more) and the elaborate racks but these costs were manageable. Today because of rarity of a Herse in good condition the prices are quite fantastic so things have changed.
I think the wealthy guys didn't go camping idea has more merit here in the states however as many of the bikes shipped to the US were through the International Bicycle Touring Society (IBTS) membership. This was not was not elitist group but certainly had plenty of doctors, airline pilots and attorneys and well healed travelers. International travel outside the military connection was very expensive in the 1950's, 60's and early 70's and the people that went to Europe on long holidays with the IBTS several times each year were living beyond the means of many cyclists of the era especially if they picked up a Herse every couple of years.
Pictures of my 3 in 1 Herse are at the Classic Rendezvous Website. I am very proud as I have about 40k lovely miles on this bike.
Best wishes to all,
Gilbert Anderson
Bicycle Outfitter
519 W. North St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
919/828-8999
cyclestore@aol.com