While in high school in 1963 , I was able to pass a welding test and take a job at a shipyard in San Francisco as a journeyman welder . I was attending a vocational high school at the time . I had been cycling for about 2 years and riding a late 40's Urago and was anxious to buy a "good" bike . At the end of summer I had a nice chunk of change , journeyman wages were $ 4.12 an hour then , so it was off to Cupertino to look at Cinelli's . I didn't have a car so I took a Greyhound bus to Sunnyvale , the bus didn't go to Cupertino , the walk from Sunnyvale to Cupertino was through orchards , down a two lane road called Stevens Creek . To my surprise the shop was actually in garage, in a persons house . That was when I met one of the most gracious people I have met in my life , Spence Wolf , he had a frame in my size and agreed to build it up and have it ready by the following Saturday . Saturday came and it was back on the bus , my bike was ready and I was in shock , a silver Special Corsa with the best components available at the time ,$239.00 out the door , he had a set of Mafac ' 63 centerpull brakes which worked perfectly , the only pair I have ever seen till Ebay . I had planned on riding back to San Francisco , so I brought my cycling clothes with me , Spence gave me a spare tire and a hand full of Campy tools and shipped my street clothes home , no charge . Cupertino bike shop was always a "destination " on training rides when we rode south , and we were always welcome , even when we only stood around and dripped sweat on the floor .
Jim McCoin
Fremont Ca.