Hey Jim, A ride sounds good. Maybe we can roust Dave Martinez and the little Misses out as well. But I have one question: Isn't that why we wear wool in the first place, to HIDE the love handles? IMHO, lycra only accentuates the rippling rolls of adipose tissue. So wear your wool proudly. Let us know when you want to get together.
Just got back from a quick 24 hour trip up to Reno to purchase a BEAUTIFUL ca. 1964 61cm Celeste Bianchi 'team issue' bike. Did I mention that it is in ORIGINAL CONDITION, complete with Celeste green clamping water bottle cage and original water bottle? Dolce! We heard about it through our buddy Roland Della Santa. After the five hour drive to Reno and some small talk, we took care of business then the seller said goodbye and Roland , Peter and I got down to the serious silly business. For those who don't know Roland, he's as genuinely funny and endearing as they get! Just a wonderful human being and talented beyond comprehension. I love him dearly. Many bikies don't know the significance of Della Santa and Greg LeMond, and I won't go into detail here, but Roland met Greg back in the mid-70s and became his very first sponsor. Built all his race bikes and gave him cash for travel expenses. Greg only parted ways with Roland after two years because Bud Hoffacker at Avocet offered to sponsor Greg for twice as much money per year. It was the sensible thing for Greg to do.
We were there at Roland's to witness the wide-eyed look of astonishment as a young fellow arrived with his father to take delivery of the boy's 61.5cm Della Santa with Campagnolo Chorus gruppo. It brought tears to my eyes watching this 20 year old guy inspect every detail of his new bike. I was envious beyond belief. It fit me perfectly!
After a few photos, Roland brought out the coup de grace, one of the new Italian Merino wool "DELLA SANTA" jerseys, made by Alessandro of Switzerland, that I ordered up six months back and just received. So, more photos were in order, and the jubilant young fellow and his Dad drove off with the new bike carefully bedded down in the back of the truck and the kid still wearing the wool jersey!
The three of us then headed over to Paolo's Italian Deli in Reno for prosciutto sandwiches on fresh Italian bread. Delicioso! What a pleasant time we all had.
So, Chuck.....add that '64 Bianchi Team Issue to the growing list of bikes at Velo Rondezvous.
Happy Labor Day everyone.
Jan Johnson
Portola Valley, CA