Jamie,
It was real, buddy! That was only one of countless magical experiences I had over the event. Tom, I don't remember Curt Goodrich at that session but I may be wrong there. It was fairly intimate as it was an offshoot of one of the dinner outings, Friday I think. Jamie is talented and creative as a machineist, and for the small number of frames he's made; he "has already arrived". Nothing against your paint job; but I could make that bike look like any of the rest of ours. Great job. Don't forget you are going to make me some custom top eyes (double fluted) for something special I want to make. You will be my hero for life. Also, thanks for that final shove up the last "rise" on the Sat. ride; you saved my life. Peter Weigle and Richard Sachs also gave me a critical push up each of the last few rollers as I struggled with my single speed and some dead legs. More on all this later.
I was the last person to fly out of Greensboro today at 5:00pm. I have a lot of "BS" to lay on everyone, if anyone wants to get my perspective of the experience. I will fill in everyone on some of the special moments I observed; primarily for the purpose of bestowing some of the flavor of these gatherings on those who did not attend. No doubt there are many funny and important things that happened that I missed (like the bike auction Pergolizzi held in the 4th floor lobby at MIDNIGHT Sat. night). I did catch some of the other priceless scenes (trust me, this one will go down in history) like the "World Championship Cycle Racing" game. I don't believe I've EVER seen anything as funny as that. Naturally, Jan Johnson was in the center of the action!
I'm tired. I'll start the blow by blow tomorrow. This Cirque was quite THE EVENT! You think I'm just spewing crap? Wait until I'm finished. Then decide; this one really was magic. Really.
Brian Baylis
Obviously, I made it home all right.
>
> Thomas R. Adams wrote:
>
> ..."The one stop that stands out was Jamie Swan's room, later that
> night. In there are two Swan built bikes, with Mr. Swan, Brian Baylis,
> Richie Sachs, Peter Wiegle and Curt Goodrich (plus a swarm of
> eavesdroppers) discussing the features and design of the bikes, as well
> as pontificating on building in general. If I was James, I would have
> been nervous as heck, but he was cool as the other side of the pillow.
> And the general consensus of the assembled stars was that James did
> good. I wish I had taped that session."
>
> Did that really happen? I had convinced myself that it was all a
> dream... Those guys are the greatest. How lucky can a fledgling frame
> builder be to have their work critiqued by the best of the best... I
> wish that you taped it too.
>
> Jamie Swan - Northport, New York