[CR]Fw: In case you were wondering?....

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From: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 19:55:45 -0800
Subject: [CR]Fw: In case you were wondering?....


----- Original Message -----
From: ternst
To: classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 6:48 PM
Subject: In case you were wondering?....


Some time ago Dale asked me to give a little history about myself but I didn't think I would get too involved. I was wrong, he was right. For those of you who don't know me and wonder where the info comes from that I post, a little background would be in order. You've noticed that I am off the wall sometimes, but that's to keep a balance. Now, who is this guy? My parents came over from Germany in 1929. They were engaged there and were married here after they arrived. My dad started bike racing in 1924 and when he arrived had two trades, tool and die making, as well as bicycle mechanic. Both trades were apprentice to journeyman. He got slowly established during the depression, started racing again '32/'33. Rode roller races at Chicago World's Fair and was beat by Charley Yaccino, later a 6-day rider, in the final heat. Ted Sr. and my mother started their bike shop in Chicago in 1934. I was born in 1932. I have pictures of myself at the old Humboldt Park cement track when I was one to two years old and have been absorbing bicycle impressions ever since. Started working in the store at seven, couple of hours a week,and at nine dad taught me how to lace wood rim wheels, and the rest of mechanical stuff as we went along. My racing career started in 1946 and I have basically been involved in the various apects of our trade ever since.I try to be literate in three languages, English, German, and Spanish. In 1951 I was in Germany for nine months, living in Solingen at the Patria WKC factory. I worked in the racing department and rode amateur road and track races during that time. Came back home late in '51.Just missed making the '52 and '56 Olympic teams, then turned pro and raced the 6-days, but when the '58 fall season was cancelled, went to Europe on my own to give it a try. I was the only American on the continent and without team or sponsorship it was a sobering adventure. I was just an average rider,and it was not easy to get contracts as there were plenty home boys looking to ride, and who the hell was I. But It worked out, raced thru fall of '58, all of '59 and spring of '60, track, road, and mostly motorpace races. When I returned from Europe, instead of staying in Chicago and continuing in the family shop I thought I'd check out California and never went back. Instead started my own shop in Manhattan Beach, late summer of 1960 and have been in California ever since. Sold my shop to Triathlete Zombies five years ago and work two half days a week doing bike position fittings and specialty work part time. I do as cottage/home industry bike restoration and stuff to keep out of trouble. I raced at the club level until last year as super master but now just ride and and run for exercise and fun.

All of my commentary has been gleaned through oral history, experience, reading, riding, and being in the bike game all my life . It's still a good run. Even with all my years doing this, I'm humbled by the collective knowledge the CR offers. I'm learning far more than I can offer and it is a real privilege to participate.

Hopefully my posts will fill in some of the gaps and you will add to or correct as we go along. Here's a partial list of some of the bicycle brands we've sold through the years, starting in the '30s. Paramount, Durkopp, Diamant, Umberto Dei, Stella d'Italia, Bauer, Express, Gold Rad, Automoto, Leon Rapide, Urago, Helyette, Peugeot, Rabeneick, Fiorelli, Rickert, Olmo, Bianchi, Legnano, Raleigh, Carlton, etc., and of course all the componentry as it developed through the years, including the early Campagnolo and Simplex.

Thanks for letting me share, and let the good times roll!