I just returned from another visit to Oliver Newton ' Boots' Ward, a cycling and bike shop legend in the DC and suburban Md and Va cycling scene since the 1940's. Boots is 82 and still carries the stature of a cyclist and weight trainer from his earlier years, although moat cycling these days is relegated to an indoor bike.
Boots was a mentor to hundreds and wheelbuilder to thousands for many decades. When I started at Maryland Cycle, we were working on bikes inverted on the floors and hanging from ropes. Bots got to use the sole Eldi stand in the middle room of the shop. When the shop was bought out in 1972 by a couple of know-little bike boom opportunists, Boots was the elder statesman and mentor. We longhairs from the movements were learning all we could on the ways and means of bike shop protocol. tireless laundered limericks were de regeur as well.
Gene Riffle was an older 30 but looked like a movie mobster from the 40's with slicked back hair, period clothing, and a frequent Lucky Stike in the face. Gene was 'weird' because he played hot jazz from 7" reels on Wollensak. Gene recorded these tunes from his thousands of 10" wax 78's.
Maryland Cycle moved downstairs and became the lawn , Garden, and chainsaw place and we trendies upstairs became 'the Bike Pedalers'
It was a cast of characters. Ralph was a greying DC native from the 'Wald' school who made frequent trips to his '62 LeSabre to nip from a flask of Early Times Wiskey. Karl was the olde guy that ride a tenspeed from Oyster Bay, LI, NY and was into MD 20/20 or Boones Farm apple wine. He invented Front Freewjheeling. Really. Couldn't drive- too many DUI's, so he had his CB on a bike with a major league whip antenna that scraped the skies.
Fuzzy, Jack, and I were college radicals. Fuzzy and I rode our Paramounts to Ohio one weekend and Jack and I TOSRV'd on a Paramount Tandem once we got there.
Boots was the inspiration. Taught us to fix 'em, ride 'em, build the wheels, race the rollers in his basement.Taught us that real cyclists speed skate in winter, a great excuse for keeping the legs shaved year round. Never seen Boots with a hair below the hip.
Boots is starting to fade in the memory, but nonetheless a content man. He has little use for the basement full of cool old bikes these days . His wife of 42 years, 20 years his junior, will be out of work in a month. Her business partner, Don the surfer, Speed skater, cyclist, rollerblader, and alla round jock, is 62 and their 35-year-old business is closing. They have little retirement, and Boots draws a very small pension from service in the 40's. Boots buil;t wheels for the local giant District Cycle for 20 years at an average $2 per wheel - in merchandise!!!
For those from the NY area, Boots was this area's Vito Perucci. There were similar guys in the Chicago, Detroit, and Dayton areas but i cannot recall their names. Guys that ave others the start, the reason, the inspiration, and often the stuff neded to get into the ride and the bike.. Here's a list of bikes that are all original owner machines, all from the 50's and 60's, and all too bug for me. sizes are between 23 1/2" and 25"
I will get fotos and better descriptions on demand. Boots and Sandy need the money to live- she has no retirement from her shop and almost nothing socked away. I've taken a few token items, some spokes, and other small things every time i visit and donating a few hundred dollars per visit, but selling the bikes would be a good boost, and a true aficinado would be a great way to perserve the bikes and the legacy
Higgins (not sears Higgins) British track 531 DB Gold. Inch pitch.24x9. Tuibulars,block chain,brooks,clips,strapsairite hubs,'dural cranks'
Jack Taylor. Red. Track,531 DB 24x8 inch pitch,brooks, clips.straps,airlite hubs 27" clinchers.Dural Cranks
Teledyne Titanium, 10 sp, brooks,Campy NR, 48/52 rings. clean, little use
Viking, English 531 DB blue, Tubulars, Brooks, campy crank (probably 151)Mafac CP brakes. Looked like pre-racer
Condor, English, gold plated. This was presented as a special gift from mike Sche=wering of /Georgetown cycles at a ceremony in DC. Campy NR,Mafac brakes early 70's
Carpenter English 531 DB. Blue, Tubulars,Campy early NR, brooks, Campy HF hubs
Bob Jackson Blue with white panels. 48-52. tubulars, Mafac CP, brooks
Joco Ronde VanEuropa Dutch track bike. Tubul;ars, Airlite hubs, Dural Crank, brooks saddle.
Descriptionms are from Boots transcribing to Sandy, and a little clarification by me
please get back to me if interested. I can help him ship and prepare them in any way. Boots is located near our college Park shop and not too far from Jill's Proteus shop
Larry black
Mt airy, Md