List,
The SD chapter of the vintage bike gang met today for the first of what we plan to be monthly gatherings. The third Sunday of each month we will meet in the parking lot of the Aerospace Museum in Balboa Park, unless announced otherwise. Our next meeting will in fact be in Del Mar or Solona Beach for a ride North on the Coast Hwy. We are going to throw in various routes over the year to keep it interesting.
Today we went on the "standard" from Balboa Park to Point Loma and back via Anthonys' Fish Grotto on the bay. We've decided to find a new food stop for this ride; both Sterling and I agreed the fish tacos are not what they used to be and the crowd is out of hand because it is a tourist area.
In attendence today were seven: Steve Six, Jim Ogden, Don Gillies, (Fast) Eddie Wilkinson, Distinguished guest from L.A. Charles Andrews, Sterling Peters, and myself. While we were still in the parking lot and getting ready, a guy showed up with a bike atop his car. I looked over to see a soft yellow Hetchins! A tiny one, even! He had purchased it in 1980 (it's a 1968 Italia model) from Rodger Sands who used to have a shop in Santa Cruz, CA that dealt in Hetchins. It was Rodgers' wifes' bike. I thought he was going to ride with us but after a quick chat and a parts purchase from someone in our group, he went off; apparently to ride elsewhere. Hum?
The weather was fantastic, the company was wonderful, the road was clear, and we had a great time. Except for lunch. The blew Charles' order and he had to remind them to make his sandwhich. No more Anthonys'; hope the new location can compete with the "eyewash" at the harborfront. ;-)
Keep an eye out for our future So. Cal Vintage rides. We probably have something going 3 out of 4 weeks out of the month. If you happen to be in the area, maybe you can join us like Mike Schmidt did. We showed him the scenery, a ferry ride with a Ferrari, and a bit of So. Cal cycling entheusiasm. We showed him a real good time, Matty spotted him a bike, Jay put on an incredible meal and home base for the ride. (Report is still due, I MUST do justice to the super hospitality that Jay provided for the gathering.)
Got home before the first half of the early game was over!
Bikes: Jim Ogden-prewar "OHRT" Sterling Peters-Tommassini Steve Six-80's Cinelli Don Gillies-1974 Paramount Charles Andrews-Davidson Fast Eddie-'79ish Masi custom GC Brian Baylis-1970 Colnago Super
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Can't complain about the weather.