Well gang, I guess it's about time I put down a few thoughts as to this past weekends activities before old timers disease gets the rest of me. First of all, your ALL FREAKS. Just like ME. Especially the freaks that came down to N.C. Before I discovered this list, and then attended my first Velo Rendezvous and then my first Cirque du Ciclisme, I thought I was alone. A freak alone. 25 years of alone freak. To not be alone any more, what a gift. Thank You Dale. How lucky, how fortunate, to be so close, so enamored of one of the greatest inventions of mankind. And then to be able to share that passion with others. Maybe that's what it's like for a framebuilder when he gets it all just right for his client. What satisfaction; to share passion. Highlights? Its all a blur. Like looking down at my legs on the last LONG decent on Saturday's ride. Somewhere around 200 rpm. No b.s. In a 24x9 (1 inch pitch talk for a 48x18 (=72 inches)). Just like on rollers. Couldn't a spun faster. Period. The Cycle race game, the auction, the look on Mike Kone's face when he realized he was gonna go through with "IT". Try to breath Mike. It'll be o.k. Brian trying to dog me in an early uphill sprint. I don't get beat by midgets. Larry Black giving me one of the greatest compliments of my life: something like " got the shit and the legs". I was pretty tired after that ride. And thanks for the compliment Jamie. It means allot. I'm so glad you came and we were able to ride together. Now plan for Velo. It'll blow your mind! One of my main vows for this years Cirque was to work harder at meeting the new folks. If I see um and don't know um, gotta meet um. Got to see the group photo today and can manage to name a good 80%. I'm still not satisfied with my performance. I'll work on it. The bikes; oh God the bikes! One of my favorites was The Cosmopolitan, a Frankenstein and a gem. Petie Weigle's randonneur; well that has got me think'n. And I'm spoiled and jaded but she made me say "hummmmm". A little selling and a little juggling. Ya hear me Peter. It was way over due to hang with you. And Sally says "HI!". And Richard, Sally expects your call. Wes Gadd, you build a nice frame. I am letting the public know now what I told Dale and Bret Horton in private: next year they are ridding w/ me. We don't have to go fast or far, but that's what I want. I want to ride w/ all the list members, all 600 of ya's. But especially them. And Johnny Baron and Chris Kavale, that goes for youse guys too. I looked forward to that all year. I'm not taking no for an answer. I also thanked Bret for his preservation of the heritage of the artifacts of our sport. He's doing what we all dream of doing if we had the where with all and the desire. Thanks again Bret. Where else do you get to touch Eddy Merckx's jersey and Fausto Coppi's jersey at the same time. That's gotta be worth the cost of saving up all year for alone. Perhaps as a service to those who did not attend to prompt you to come, I will give a brief idea of costs: plane $231.00 N.Y. to Greensboro + Battleground Inn 4 nites $300.00+ food aprox.$100.00+ cab fare to and from LaGuardia aprox.$70.00 =$701.00 Sounds like allot but only $2.00 a day and a little desire and your there. I can't begun to express my feelings about our get togethers. As Wayne said "it's cosmic". And to tell you of the intensity; well Mon a.m. when Brian and I said "so long" we were speechless. It takes ALLOT to shut US up! Really. Speechless! The laughs w/ Ray Etherton. Please bring Terry next year. Karens Marti Gras headpiece. We all walked on the wild side. Hospitality doesn't come any finer. Groman, that's a nice movie your make'n. Now lone me a copy for a BVVW meeting. Lou thanks for the wine. And stop thinking about the lecture. Just do it Moe! Ann Phillips, youv'e got real enthusiasm. I'm impressed. And say "hi" to your bud, nice guy. Peter Johnson, youv'e found the fountain of youth. And you speak great in public. Did you see the pride in Jan's eyes as you reminisced. I did. And Jan , its great fun making you laugh. "liquor license". Talk'n track stuff and old times w/ Dave Staub over indian food Flying horse beer. Next ones on Me. Talked Riv stuff w/ Grant and Curt. Lets do it again in Oct. Thanks for the advise Curt. Peter Naiman, it was great to see my old Hetch'. I will mail you a copy of the story. Mark Poore, I got some kick from see'n that magazine, thanks Paul Raley, I hope the Raleigh story sits well with you. Larry Osborn, you're sharper then a cat's whiskers. Roy, it's always good see'n ya. Hey, Chuck Schmidt, why do I always hurt when I ride with you? I gotta get fit. Well these were some of my experiences. A few more will seep in. I'll let them out as they arrive. Thanks again Dale. See ya in Pasadena.
ciao,
John T.Pergolizzi